Car marker light as blinker

[Lukan6]

Hello there!

I really need some help with my electrical setup. I am trying to run 2 marker lights on the top of my Mercedes Sprinter on the rear door. I checked and everything fits, however, there is a problem with the wiring. I want a device that powers the marker light when the parking lights are on and blinks(in sync) when I have turn signals on. It is just 1 positive and 1 negative(so it is single colour and non-dimming).

I searched for over a month and i can't find a relay that can do the job. I was wondering if you guys had any product suggestions that matches my description or any other ideas that I could try. It would help me out SOOOO much!

 

[mainline]

Hello there!

I really need some help with my electrical setup. I am trying to run 2 marker lights on the top of my Mercedes Sprinter on the rear door. I checked and everything fits, however, there is a problem with the wiring. I want a device that powers the marker light when the parking lights are on and blinks(in sync) when I have turn signals on. It is just 1 positive and 1 negative(so it is single colour and non-dimming).

I searched for over a month and i can't find a relay that can do the job. I was wondering if you guys had any product suggestions that matches my description or any other ideas that I could try. It would help me out SOOOO much!

Are you using them as left and right signals as well ?

 

[Lukan6]

Are you using them as left and right signals as well ?

Yes sirr

 

[Avo Mk8]

Have you got a circuit diagram for what you are trying to do?
Is it anything like this project:

 

[Lukan6]

Have you got a circuit diagram for what you are trying to do?
Is it anything like this project:

Hello,
I had watched this video previously and it made sense, however I am concerned about the speed of the flasher and that it would not be in sync with the factory blinkers. My set up would be similar to the videos. I do not have a diagram so that is why I was asking for any suggestions. I bet it would work. Just the sync part because depending on the fluctuating voltage of the system, the rate it flashes may be offset slightly. Also, I have seen some videos that used 5 pin relays and i saw that the marker lights flashed opposite to that of the blinkers. So it was like a see saw

 

[mainline]

Hello,
I had watched this video previously and it made sense, however I am concerned about the speed of the flasher and that it would not be in sync with the factory blinkers. My set up would be similar to the videos. I do not have a diagram so that is why I was asking for any suggestions. I bet it would work. Just the sync part because depending on the fluctuating voltage of the system, the rate it flashes may be offset slightly. Also, I have seen some videos that used 5 pin relays and i saw that the marker lights flashed opposite to that of the blinkers. So it was like a see saw

You need to add a delay so that the marker supply is held off via the relay when the blinker is running.
Probably need to add a diode/cap and transistor to give the delay.

 

[Avo Mk8]

Would this sort of thing do the job?

PM-5001 Side Marker Flasher Control Unit — Peterson Europe

12/24V operating voltage, 10-30Vdc range 2 versions available: 10cm or 50cm long cables 3-core sheathed cable (power in) - terminated in 3-way AMP Superseal female connector2-core sheathed cable (power out) - terminated in 2-way AMP Superseal male connector LED or incandescent lamps AMP50 v

petersoneurope.com

(presumably there are equivalent products in Canada!)

 

[mainline]

You need to add a delay so that the marker supply is held off via the relay when the blinker is running.
Probably need to add a diode/cap and transistor to give the delay.

Something like this

 

[Lukan6]

Would this sort of thing do the job?

PM-5001 Side Marker Flasher Control Unit — Peterson Europe

12/24V operating voltage, 10-30Vdc range 2 versions available: 10cm or 50cm long cables 3-core sheathed cable (power in) - terminated in 3-way AMP Superseal female connector2-core sheathed cable (power out) - terminated in 2-way AMP Superseal male connector LED or incandescent lamps AMP50 v

petersoneurope.com

(presumably there are equivalent products in Canada!)

I have no idea how that works but thanks though

 

[Lukan6]

Something like this

I see, but I am just a beginner DIYer so i have no idea what i just saw . I get a basic understanding on capacitors, relays and diodes but that diagram is something else . Thank you though sir

 

[Lukan6]

Something like this

To make it as simple as possible, my plan was to tap in to the positive of the parking light and positive of the blinker. So as to run as little wire as possible. I wont use a fuse because the lights draw around 2 amps each so 4 amps total (Nothing too extreme). Not the most safest and cleanest way but wire is expensive

 

[Lukan6]

Something like this

In all though, I might scrap the plan and directly leave the lights just constant on to the parking and and no blinking. There is no specific plug and play module on the market to do this. Overall, it would look awesome. I was kinda looking in to trailer harnesses and if they could work.

 

[mainline]

To make it as simple as possible, my plan was to tap in to the positive of the parking light and positive of the blinker. So as to run as little wire as possible. I wont use a fuse because the lights draw around 2 amps each so 4 amps total (Nothing too extreme). Not the most safest and cleanest way but wire is expensive

That won't work as when the blinker goes for instance it would feed back to the tail lights.

In all though, I might scrap the plan and directly leave the lights just constant on to the parking and and no blinking. There is no specific plug and play module on the market to do this. Overall, it would look awesome. I was kinda looking in to trailer harnesses and if they could work.

So the markers aren't led ? You could always get markers that have 2 bulbs/ leds ? So would have 2 separate circuits ?

Like these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FUNCTIONS-POSITION-CLEARANCE-DIRECTION-INDICATORS/dp/B085GKXXX4

 

[Lukan6]

Something like this

I actually have a great idea. I can use a trailer wiring harness, there are three inputs (Tail/parking lights, stop lights and turn signal). These are designed to work on dimming lights with two settings. So parking light on low setting and stop on high setting. Turn signal will override the stop signal when brakes are pressed and you are turning. So ill wire the stop line input to my parking light and turning to turning light. This way the parking line on module is left empty. So the module will think i am on the brakes constantly thus leaving it on. But will flash same speed when I indicate. Seems very logical but I am not 100% sure this will work

That won't work as when the blinker goes for instance it would feed back to the tail lights.

So the markers aren't led ? You could always get markers that have 2 bulbs/ leds ? So would have 2 separate circuits ?

Like these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FUNCTIONS-POSITION-CLEARANCE-DIRECTION-INDICATORS/dp/B085GKXXX4

They are led

 

[Avo Mk8]

I have no idea how that works but thanks though

You said in your first post: "I want a device that powers the marker light when the parking lights are on and blinks(in sync) when I have turn signals on. It is just 1 positive and 1 negative(so it is single colour and non-dimming)."
You didn't specify that you needed to know how it worked

I just suggested the device because it appears to do exactly what you want! ie Install a unit each side of the vehicle taking power from parking light and indicator light, and outputting to the marker light. Job done, apparently!

 

[mainline]

I actually have a great idea. I can use a trailer wiring harness, there are three inputs (Tail/parking lights, stop lights and turn signal). These are designed to work on dimming lights with two settings. So parking light on low setting and stop on high setting. Turn signal will override the stop signal when brakes are pressed and you are turning. So ill wire the stop line input to my parking light and turning to turning light. This way the parking line on module is left empty. So the module will think i am on the brakes constantly thus leaving it on. But will flash same speed when I indicate. Seems very logical but I am not 100% sure this will work

It will not work if its going to a single lamp

You said in your first post: "I want a device that powers the marker light when the parking lights are on and blinks(in sync) when I have turn signals on. It is just 1 positive and 1 negative(so it is single colour and non-dimming)."
You didn't specify that you needed to know how it worked

I just suggested the device because it appears to do exactly what you want! ie Install a unit each side of the vehicle taking power from parking light and indicator light, and outputting to the marker light. Job done, apparently!

That device will only supply 1 amp max OP said his is around 4 amps.

 

[Avo Mk8]

That device will only supply 1 amp max OP said his is around 4 amps.

Good point, 2A each side. Though to be fair that wasn't said until after my suggestion.
2A is surely a lot for an LED marker light?

 

[mainline]

Good point, 2A each side. Though to be fair that wasn't said until after my suggestion.
2A is surely a lot for an LED marker light?

I asked if they were led he didn't say.

I pointed him to a dual circuit marker light which would suit him.

 

[Avo Mk8]

I asked if they were led he didn't say.

Bottom of post #14 Lukan6 said "they are led" but maybe I'm misunderstanding what that applied to !
Maybe he meant the ones you were suggesting were led, not the ones he had!
But it seemed to me he was answering your question!

 

[mainline]

Bottom of post #14 Lukan6 said "they are led" but maybe I'm misunderstanding what that applied to !
Maybe he meant the ones you were suggesting were led, not the ones he had!
But it seemed to me he was answering your question!

Well if his are led then one led using a few amps ?

 

[littlespark]

2x relays?

One switches on stop lights, the other switches on blinkers. The output of each would be common, and feed the marker lights.

3 relays. Left, right and stop……??

4 if you have “left” markers and “right”

Oh… now what colour are the markers? Do stop lights have to be red, and turn signals have to be amber?

 

[mainline]

2x relays?

One switches on stop lights, the other switches on blinkers. The output of each would be common, and feed the marker lights.

3 relays. Left, right and stop……??

4 if you have “left” markers and “right”

Oh… now what colour are the markers? Do stop lights have to be red, and turn signals have to be amber?

OP said "I want a device that powers the marker light when the parking lights are on and blinks(in sync)"


He only has one bulb/led in the amber marker, he wants to have the side light marker also be used as the indicator.
What you suggest won't work properly.

 

[Avo Mk8]

As above
so side lights on means marker light on
when indicating, marker light has to flash in synchronism with vehicle indicators (meaning on together, off together - legal requirement in UK, don't know about Canada)
That means when side lights are on, and indicating, the marker light has to go out in synchronism with indicators.
I haven't worked out relay logic for this, but it sounds as if it should be possible.
I suspect you may need a separate circuit for each side of the car.

 

[mainline]

As above
so side lights on means marker light on
when indicating, marker light has to flash in synchronism with vehicle indicators (meaning on together, off together - legal requirement in UK, don't know about Canada)
That means when side lights are on, and indicating, the marker light has to go out in synchronism with indicators.
I haven't worked out relay logic for this, but it sounds as if it should be possible. I wondered about using a dual coil relay!
I suspect you may need a separate circuit for each side of the car.

I gave him a simple circuit at #8

 

[littlespark]

a NC relay controlled by indicators. NO controlled by sides. Relay outputs in series.

When sides are on, markers are on.
When indicators are on, the NC relay will open, thus turning off the feed into the NO relay and turning off the marker when the indicator is on. And vice versa.

Kind of reverse synched.

Would have to be two pairs for each side.

I’m sure a third relay on each side could sort the reverse of the on-off-on synch

 

[mainline]

a NC relay controlled by indicators. NO controlled by sides. Relay outputs in series.

When sides are on, markers are on.
When indicators are on, the NC relay will open, thus turning off the feed into the NO relay and turning off the marker when the indicator is on. And vice versa.

Kind of reverse synched.

Would have to be two pairs for each side.

I’m sure a third relay on each side could sort the reverse of the on-off-on synch

You don't need all those relays.
I gave a circuit to do what the OP asked for at #8

 

[littlespark]

Yes, but as #9 didn’t say “cheers, that’ll work. Thanks” then discussion is still open.

 

[Avo Mk8]

You don't need all those relays.
I gave a circuit to do what the OP asked for at #8

Yes you did indeed, and I haven't seen any other simple alternative yet.
But the caveat is that (when the side lights are on) the indicator on to off transition has to be tweaked to match the speed of the vehicle indicator, rather than using the on to off transition to logically trigger indicator 'off'. So perhaps synchronism not 'guaranteed'?

 

[mainline]

Yes you did indeed, and I haven't seen any other simple alternative yet.
But the caveat is that (when the side lights are on) the indicator on to off transition has to be tweaked to match the speed of the vehicle indicator, rather than using the on to off transition to logically trigger indicator 'off'. So perhaps synchronism not 'guaranteed'?

Once the indicator is started the relay is latched, so the blink rate is exactly the same

 

[Avo Mk8]

Once the indicator is started the relay is latched, so the blink rate is exactly the same

Oh OK - didn't think of latching relay - thanks.

 

[mainline]

Oh OK - didn't think of latching relay - thanks.

It’s not actually a latching relay the transistor and capacitor makes it latch for a small amount of time but the indicator recharges the cap so the relay keeps the tail light supply off as long as the indicator is on

 

[mainline]

Yes, but as #9 didn’t say “cheers, that’ll work. Thanks” then discussion is still open.

Yes, but giving him a circuit that won't work after having one that will isn't very helpful

 

[littlespark]

Yes, but giving him a circuit that won't work after having one that will isn't very helpful

how wont it work?

When the side lights are on, the marker lights are on.... When the indicators flash on-off-on, the markers will then flash also.... at the same rate.... But off-on-off

Anything can be done with a number of relays.

 

[mainline]

how wont it work?

When the side lights are on, the marker lights are on.... When the indicators flash on-off-on, the markers will then flash also.... at the same rate.... But off-on-off

Anything can be done with a number of relays.

The OP as you know said that they have to be in sync with the other indicators, yours will be the opposite.

My simple circuit uses one relay and will be in sync.


And your statement saying “Anything can be done with a number of relays“ Anything ?

 

[littlespark]

The OP as you know said that they have to be in sync with the other indicators, yours will be the opposite.

Still in synch....

I did say later that another relay could be used to reverse that... I'm up to 6 relays now

 

[mainline]

Still in synch....

I did say later that another relay could be used to reverse that... I'm up to 6 relays now

I would like to see this interesting circuit