[ClayMan]

Can I hook up the clown nose +/- directly to an aftermarket alarm? My CompuStar sends 3V to its LED output. Is that enough to power it?

[msinfo_us]

LED in the clown nose is 12V. You'll need to buy/make switching module operated from 3V that will control 12V. Should be very easy to do if you are knowledgeable in this staff. As an example of very crude solution you can use Compact 3-5VDC/1A S Relay.

[ClayMan]

Originally Posted by msinfo_us

LED in the clown nose is 12V. You'll need to buy/make switching module operated from 3V that will control 12V. Should be very easy to do if you are knowledgeable in this staff. As an example of very crude solution you can use Compact 3-5VDC/1A S Relay.

Darn, just as I had guessed (and was in denial)

Will the relay have probelms with the quick pulses of the LED pattern? Do you think it will drain my battery? (LEDs take ~20mA, while a relay itself could draw over 100mA of current)

[msinfo_us]

Originally Posted by ClayMan

Darn, just as I had guessed (and was in denial)

Will the relay have probelms with the quick pulses of the LED pattern? Do you think it will drain my battery? (LEDs take ~20mA, while a relay itself could draw over 100mA of current)

Personally I am not a big fan of using relays (unless I have to switch lot's of V/Current) and would devise something using a comparator or transistor for example.

But it should not be difficult to find the relay you need. The LED speed even in a fast mode won't be blinking more than couple times per second = 2-3Hz. Depends on which relay you choose they support up to 10 KHz and more. There are plenty of low current relays available as well so no problem with battery. I did not do a deep dive but here is a simple example of specs for DIP relays (handles over 1 Khz) as one of your possible options:

Features
Low & high profile package
Standard pin configurations
Versions with diode available
IC-pin compatible
TTL drive possible
4.25 kVDC breakdown voltage - UL approval
Applications
Test & Measurement
Telecommunications
Security
Specifications
Coil Voltage (VDC) 3 to 24
Coil Resistance (Ohm) 200 to 2000
Contact Form 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A
Rated Power (W) 0 to 15
Switching Voltage (VDC) 0 to 500
Switching Current (A) 0 to 1.0
Carry Current (A) 0 to 1.25
Breakdown Voltage
(Minimum VDC) 250 to 1500

[asdflkijd]

WTF! where was I when this was created! hmm looks like a weekend DYI Thanks.

[heatfan03]

Thank God for AP physics last year makes that look alot easier

[uabimmer]

Darn where is everyone at?

I just hooked this thing up and sadly it doesnt turn off when the car is on.... i went with the zener 5.1V diode version.

can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong?

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by uabimmer

Darn where is everyone at?

I just hooked this thing up and sadly it doesnt turn off when the car is on.... i went with the zener 5.1V diode version.

can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong?

Sounds like you didn't tap into the correct power wire. The correct wire's voltage is supposed to dramatically decrease when the car is on, and then increase when the car is off. Just an idea- check your wires!

[uabimmer]

thats what i thought too, but i tapped into the green wire , which is in slot 1 on the connector with 1-14 right?

well i will open it up again and see if i can find another wire..... thanks for the reply

[phantom330]

I would do this if I understood what all that stuff means.

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by uabimmer

thats what i thought too, but i tapped into the green wire , which is in slot 1 on the connector with 1-14 right?

well i will open it up again and see if i can find another wire..... thanks for the reply

Yeah, that's right. Double check and make sure its the correct connector. Otherwise, it's going to be a problem within your circuit. By no means am I an expert on this, so maybe one of the guru's will chime in here for you.

Good luck!

[Arrowhead]

If I can understand every word you write, I would do it!
Can I pay you?

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by uabimmer

Darn where is everyone at?

I just hooked this thing up and sadly it doesnt turn off when the car is on.... i went with the zener 5.1V diode version.

can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong?

Ya, I think other people said it right.
Make sure you tapped into the correct line, but also make sure that you reversed the zener diode. This is very important because if you did not reverse it then the light would stay on all the time.

[uabimmer]

Thanks,

I'm taking it apart right now , so i will find out shortly.
& this sucker is bright!!!!

[uabimmer]

so i figured out why it kept blinking (the led was still connected to the car's powersource), but now that i fixed it the brightness is gone!!!

did you guys completely cut the led wires or just splice into them?

my diodes seem to be in the correct position
here is a pic sorry for the quatilty, but the two lines are facing each other.

[Alpine]

I encountered the exact same problem. When connected to the correct power source, the LED isn't really all that bright. If you have a lot of free time, mess around with it and see if you can come up with anything new. I never officially installed mine because the brightness just wasn't there.

By the way, I tapped into the power, and grounded a screw in the front console area.

[uabimmer]

well I've been trying, but so far no luck... i dont wanna splice too much stuff up so hopefully it works

if nothing comes up I might just have to make a switch that i can turn on when leaving my car, but then again thats kinda tacky

[uabimmer]

well unfortunately i have to say that i think i fried my timer cause now my led is on all the time(not blinking)... so i guess this has to wait till next friday...

let me now on any breakthroughs

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by uabimmer

well unfortunately i have to say that i think i fried my timer cause now my led is on all the time(not blinking)... so i guess this has to wait till next friday...

let me now on any breakthroughs

I fried two of them in my quest for a little blinking light. Switch it out and let us know how it goes.

[E92Vancouver]

Are you an electrical engineer? This is awesome.

[uabimmer]

wow its been over a month and i still havent gotten around to trying something with that LED

[BiscottiGelato]

Anybody mind to show how the clip for the roof light panel works? Like a close up macro photo of the clips maybe? I just can't get the roof light panel thing off.......