Dynamic Brake Light is available in EU/ECE areas in conjunction with ABS Pro, the theory being that a flashing light better attracts attention in emergency braking situations.
In idle on-line chit chat with Lawrence of Suburbia, we discussed additional brake light options for the LC, without the exorbitant expense of the Skene P3. After some research, I discovered a module that flashes fast-slow-steady on each application of the brakes, for just a few dollars plus, perhaps, some ingenuity to avoid CANBUS-related error messages.
I also came across a still-fairly-cheap module with more options, including actions on moderate and heavy deceleration - the g-force Stop Alert. It is intended for modulating the third/centre brake light on cars, as it remains illegal to have flashing brake lights in most countries, including Straya. being intrigued by such an elegant design for few dollars, I decided to go ahead. If pressed by the constabulary at any stage, I could perhaps feign ignorance and suggest that maybe an EU spec model with BMW Dynamic Brake Light slipped through. 0
While awaiting delivery, my mind started to think about ways to obviate CANBUS errors, either:
Today I cut the stop-light lead to install the module and found that the light draws 0.26A (about 4W). I happened to have a 33 Ohm resistor on hand so as a test added that to the circuit, in parallel with the LED stop-light. No faults appeared, showing that the line can handle at least 240%, and proving that I could, if necessary, use the second and simpler of the options I had determined above.
I then test wired the module with no dummy load, and to my surprise no faults showed - the latent load of the module itself and/or the short duration of the flashes must be sufficient to make the CANBUS think the circuit is OK. In the normal case if the circuit is interrupted and then 'healed' (e.g. by simply removing then replacing the plug to the tail light) the dashboard bulb warning disappears, but the fault tally increases by one each time this occurs. I checked using my GS911 and confirmed that the flashing action of the module does not, in fact, cause any faults to be detected. I used double sided tape to attach the unit vertically and level on the RHS of the tray under the seat, using the default position of wires pointing forwards.
So the device really is plug-and-play CANBUS safe. I'm using the default settings at the moment but in time will look at the instructions to change them to my preference should I feel the need to.
In idle on-line chit chat with Lawrence of Suburbia, we discussed additional brake light options for the LC, without the exorbitant expense of the Skene P3. After some research, I discovered a module that flashes fast-slow-steady on each application of the brakes, for just a few dollars plus, perhaps, some ingenuity to avoid CANBUS-related error messages.
I also came across a still-fairly-cheap module with more options, including actions on moderate and heavy deceleration - the g-force Stop Alert. It is intended for modulating the third/centre brake light on cars, as it remains illegal to have flashing brake lights in most countries, including Straya. being intrigued by such an elegant design for few dollars, I decided to go ahead. If pressed by the constabulary at any stage, I could perhaps feign ignorance and suggest that maybe an EU spec model with BMW Dynamic Brake Light slipped through. 0
While awaiting delivery, my mind started to think about ways to obviate CANBUS errors, either:
- using a dummy load (ceramic coated wire resistor) to simulate the stop-light load and trigger a relay to power the stop-light via the module on a separate supply line; or
- apply an additional dummy load in parallel with the module inputs, with as high as practicable resistance to stop CANBUS errors but avoiding an overload detection on the circuit.
Today I cut the stop-light lead to install the module and found that the light draws 0.26A (about 4W). I happened to have a 33 Ohm resistor on hand so as a test added that to the circuit, in parallel with the LED stop-light. No faults appeared, showing that the line can handle at least 240%, and proving that I could, if necessary, use the second and simpler of the options I had determined above.
I then test wired the module with no dummy load, and to my surprise no faults showed - the latent load of the module itself and/or the short duration of the flashes must be sufficient to make the CANBUS think the circuit is OK. In the normal case if the circuit is interrupted and then 'healed' (e.g. by simply removing then replacing the plug to the tail light) the dashboard bulb warning disappears, but the fault tally increases by one each time this occurs. I checked using my GS911 and confirmed that the flashing action of the module does not, in fact, cause any faults to be detected. I used double sided tape to attach the unit vertically and level on the RHS of the tray under the seat, using the default position of wires pointing forwards.
So the device really is plug-and-play CANBUS safe. I'm using the default settings at the moment but in time will look at the instructions to change them to my preference should I feel the need to.