I'd like to run hazard lights on my project. I have a late 60's steering column with built-in turn signal lever, but no provision for hazards, and a new wiring harness that was intended for a GM column with built-in hazard switch. Truck has front parking lights, and tail lights with 1157 bulbs. I have a vintage hazard light switch with only 2 wires I'd like to use, and an assortment of relays left over from various projects. Is it possible to use this old spst switch with relays to do the job? Didn't Ford trucks have something like this in the early 70's?
I don't need relays for the power, just for the switching. Switch looks like this one: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/fksAAOSwu1VW3Kk5/$_1.JPG
Here is a link to how I did it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...sing-an-old-style-turn-signal-switch.1045869/
using a normal 2 post switch one wire is from power [usually via a flasher unit] , the other wire is split and spliced into left and right with a diode in each to prevent feedback so the turn signal works normally. Some hazzard switches have 2 outputs which are disconnected when switched off. You can use 2 relays [one for left and one for right] with the common switch triggering them, this prevents backfeeding
You can use 1 relay to do all this: Digikey 255-1687-ND. Cost is $7 and you can use any type of hazard switch you please. Just wire it up so that NC terminals go to present turn signal switch wires, common terminals to turn signal bulbs, and N.O. terminals go to separate flasher. The flasher second wire should be wired to battery, along with the hazard switch. The other side of the hazard switch goes to the + coil terminals on relay. The - coil terminal is grounded.
This will do it all. It's a 3 pole single throw on off toggle switch. Wire 1 flasher to three terminals down one side of the switch then use the other 3 terminals, 1 to the left front, 1 to right front and 1 to rear brake lights. That's it. No diodes and no extra thinking.
We live in a much simpler world outside the USA where the turn signals Front and Rear are separate Orange coloured lights. On the plus side for us, we can mount electric brake controllers onto a trailer so any vehicle can tow them.[powered off the brake lights] Do this in the USA and the trailer brakes would "pulse" whenever the turn signal was used
A lot of today's manufactures do it that way but unfortunately 4woody 1960 GM product does not. This is why I sent up a sort of warning flag up in hopes that someone other than I would catch and educate how GM did there hazard wiring. On my post here #10 replicates how GM did it but out side of the column rather than in it.
Yes, Using the correct switch is the easiest method. Sometimes we waste more money and time trying to use components we already have laying around. [ I am guilty of doing this ]
Just getting back to this after a busy week. So how come something simple like this with taps into the brake and left & right parking lights won't work? Yes, I am this dumb sometimes...
How exactly are you separating the rear turn/ brake lights? You have one on each side and they cannot be tied together. The OP said he has 1157 bulbs, no mention of separate turn light in the back.
Simple - hazards with your spst switch. Use your switch to connect right and left parking lights. Flip switch and hit either right or left turn lever. Both sides will light in unison. Downside, they will flash slower than normal. Easy to test, use a wire to connect right and left and try it. To correct the speed, use a new flasher relay which is meant for led lights, it isn't load dependant but has it's internal timer. Most require an additional ground.
It's simple. The switch is equal to three single on off switch's but it one single unit. So, when it's off the left, right and brake light's are separate form one another.
Nope, won't work. Tying both brake lights to one terminal will remove the 'turn signal' function. You need one switch pole for each light, you're one short.... Personally, I'd use a 4PDT relay for this. Put the relay somewhere convenient, and all you need is a simple on-off switch to run it. No big gob of wiring at the switch...
Not if you come off the brake switch that feeds the turn signal switch. You of all people should now this on that era GM product.
Here's the $1000.00 question. What column is it exactly before this goes any further. 4woody only gave us this information about the column. "I have a late 60's steering column with built-in turn signal lever, but no provision for hazards, and a new wiring harness that was intended for a GM column with built-in hazard switch." So 4woody, what are you working on and what column do you have ?
I put 4 way flashers on my 55 Buick with a simple switch i bought at B&B auto parts in 1966. A simple and cheap way might be to pull a switch out of a later model junk column and just tie the proper wires into your existing harness and delete the ones you dont need. Figure out how to make a bracket to hide it and a knob/rod to actuate the 4 way.
The column is off a '68 Belvedere, the wiring is a 20 (or was it 21) circuit Rebel Wire kit with separate flashers for hazard & turn.
It looks like Ecklers has kits that are similar to the one I had years ago. mine had a built in flasher though http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-emergency-hazard-flasher-kit-4-way-1955-1957.html The instructions are here and some of those may clarify things. http://www.classicchevy.com/assets/pdf/classicchevy/22-280, TECH.pdf
Yep, you would get interesting backfeed from the still-connected turn signals if the lever is flipped.
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