how to trigger strobe with alarm/switch

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Relays / how to trigger strobe with alarm/switch (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Next Page > < Prev Topic Next Topic >

kickercivic1

Member - Posts: 34

Joined: July 02, 2003

Posted: January 02, 2008 at 8:22 PM / IP Logged

I just bought whelen strobes to go in my car. I have viper 5900 alarm installed in my car. When my alarm goes off, i want the strobe to also start flashing, but my problem is i also want to have switch that i can control the strobe on/ off inside the car. So they come on with alarm or when i am at the show i just flip a switch.

KPierson

Platinum - Posts: 3,527

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: April 14, 2005

Location: Ohio, United States

Posted: January 02, 2008 at 9:15 PM / IP Logged

Depending on where you put them, and a few other factors, you may be able to power them right off the siren output of the alarm. However, keep in mind that they strobe may or may not flash when you arm and disarm the system. If the caps in the strobe can be charged in the short time that the siren is beeping it may be enough to flash once or twice. If this acceptable, then that would be a good route to go.

If you want to add an external switch you will need to diode isolate your siren(s) from your strobelight(s). Once they are diode isolated you can put a toggle switch between the diode and the strobe.

Kevin Pierson

kickercivic1

Member - Posts: 34

Joined: July 02, 2003

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 7:49 AM / IP Logged

So i have to have two diode.. I will draw it up later on post the diagram.

KPierson

Platinum - Posts: 3,527

Joined: April 14, 2005

Location: Ohio, United States

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 8:28 AM / IP Logged

Yes, two seperate diodes would be needed. Both would attach to the siren output, with the stripe facing away from the brain (towards the devices).

Kevin Pierson

kickercivic1

Member - Posts: 34

Joined: July 02, 2003

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 11:10 AM / IP Logged

those 90watt strobe pull 10-15 amps... How big of diode's would i need?

tedmond

Gold - Posts: 4,610

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Security and Convenience. Click here for more info.

Joined: January 06, 2007

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 12:24 PM / IP Logged

use your siren ouput and wire it to an external relay.

85 - ground

86 - 12v siren wire

70 - high current 12v fused @ 20 amps

30 - to strobe light 12v

KPierson

Platinum - Posts: 3,527

Joined: April 14, 2005

Location: Ohio, United States

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 12:38 PM / IP Logged

Use 1A diodes, but as tedmond says, you will need to use a relay. Diode isolate the relay from the siren, just like you would have the strobe. The relay will draw less then 1A, so the 1A diode will be plenty.

You can still put the switch in the same place and make it all work!

Kevin Pierson

kickercivic1

Member - Posts: 34

Joined: July 02, 2003

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 7:03 PM / IP Logged

tedmond wrote:

use your siren ouput and wire it to an external relay.

85 - ground

86 - 12v siren wire

70 - high current 12v fused @ 20 amps

30 - to strobe light 12v

Where would the diode go?? also where would the switch go?

tedmond

Gold - Posts: 4,610

Joined: January 06, 2007

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: January 03, 2008 at 10:40 PM / IP Logged

From pin 30. place a diode on each end of the wire you want to connect to pin 30. With diodes cathode band facing away from relay. also, the switch will sit after the relay so you have the option to turn it on or off. im sure viper has the ground when armed wire. if so, you can use 2 relays to allow the strobes to ONLY work when the car is armed. if you wish to do so heres how.

Relay to control lights

85 - ground

86 - 12v siren wire

70 - high current 12v fused @ 20 amps

30 - to pin 70 of relay 2 and one to siren with a diode, cathode (white band) away from pin 30.

Relay to allow strobe flash on ONLY when armed (must wire 2 relays together)

85 - constant 12v

86 - ground when armed from alarm

70 - wire from Pin 30 of relay 1 with diode inline cathode away from relay 1

30 - to strobe light 12v in

KPierson

Platinum - Posts: 3,527

Joined: April 14, 2005

Location: Ohio, United States

Posted: January 04, 2008 at 5:28 AM / IP Logged

^^^ Not a good idea.

Most automotive relays will draw around 150mA of current to keep them energized.

With a relay connected to the ground when armed wire the battery will be dead in 4-7 days of not driving the car.

You should NEVER have a relay constantly energized when the car is off.

Kevin Pierson

Next Page >

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.