single chirp output flash lights?

I am installing a "vintage" Alpine/BMW alarm system in a 1992 325ic.

I have everything working as it should, but the brain is only wired to have a single output for an audible chirp. I really want to flash the parking lights as well.

I have a diode pack that splits the single 12v+ pulse, while segregating it into three leads (the car has separate right/left p-light circuits). My problem is that the pulse generated by the alarm is not "thick" enough to get the parking lights to flash very long/bright.

I've tried using a standard 30a relay to give the circuit more potential juice, but it's a time issue. Is there a relay available that can increase the length of this pulse by .5 seconds or so??

I did experiment running just one parking light circuit directly off the brain with no diode pack to see if the "direct" signal would be any stronger.....it was not.

Any help would be appreciated.

Okay, I did search the 12v resources, and found this diagram:



Is the round unit with the X/L poles simply a flasher relay?

Thanks again,

Reggie

Okay, I tried the above set-up, but no luck. My flasher relays require at least .5 second pulse to trigger. This set-up defeats the parking light flash all together.

That relay/flasher setup would give you a good steady flash when the alarm is triggered.

But it sounds like what you're more concerned with is flashing the lights so you have confirmation of lock and unlock, correct?

Well, you can use the brief siren output you have to trigger a relay, and also a capacitor(s) to extend the relay's "on time." Then, use the output of the relay to power the car's parking lights.

I never did figure out how to draw diagrams and put them online, but it would go like this:

Step 1:

Wire the relay as follows:

85: ground
86: siren output from alarm (isolated from siren by diode; you've already done this)
87: fused constant positive
87a: no connection
30: parking light wire in car (in your case, split this output with two diodes; connect to your left and right parking light wires)

Step 2:

Take a little capacitor, and connect its positive (longer) lead to 86 on the relay, and connect its negative (shorter) lead to 85 on the relay.

Make a test...are you satisfied with the timing of the parking lights? If not, get a bigger capacitor, or a smaller one, or consider two or several small capacitors in parallel.

I think what I remember is that a 4700uF capacitor is good for 3/4 second, but I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly.

P.S. Consider tying into your car's turn signal wires instead of the parking lights....they're much brighter.

Thank you so much!!

I will definitely try this set-up in the future. We called this one "good enough" for the time being, but may revisit it later.

The capacitor makes perfect sense, especially when used in tandem with a relay to get more juice.

I have a feeling that I will be doing more of these retro-fits. I know it's old technology,a and better newer units are out there for a lot less money, but some of the purists have to have original equipment in their cars. Those little details really make an old car cool, at least I think so.

Thanks again!