The Ford Barn

mngreen · 03-30-2023, 07:57 AM

I have never installed electronic turn signals on my Model A. For the last 48 years of ownership, I have just waved my arm out the window to my bewildered fellow motorists signaling my turns, sometimes only to get a return "wave" back! I never had the desire to install another taillight assembly on the passenger side rear fender nor did I want any more aftermarket electronics or wiring on my Model A.

That being said, more and more often, I have noticed an increased need to relay my driving intentions to cars around me. Every year it seems that traffic is getting faster and faster and when my old jalopy saunters over in a lane, some mindless clown goes speeding by on my right, nearly missing me!

Soooo, I wanted to inform you all of a "new" option.....USB rechargeable battery powered wireless turn signals....better than sliced bread!!! I bought and installed two sets, one for my Model T and another for the Model A. I have driven with them and am very pleased. A very well engineered and thought out product in many respects. I have provided a link below to what I bought on Amazon, total price of about $65 delivered.

They are really neat, are easily installed, readily removable (no mods, held on by O-rings), bright enough in daylight, don't leave any marks, no wires, and really work! While they were designed for bicycles, motor scooters, etc., they are readily adaptable to our Model As, or anything else that needs turn signals.

https://www.amazon.com/Antfire-Recha...78299793&psc=1

Joop · 03-30-2023, 08:06 AM

Hi Mike

The Amazon link does’t work.

mngreen · 03-30-2023, 08:13 AM

Go to Amazon and search for:

Antfire Bike Tail Light with Turn Signals, USB Rechargeable Bright LED Safety Warning Bike Rear Lights, Wireless Remote Control Waterproof Bike Turn Signal LED Light for Mountain Bike, Road Bicycle

mcgarrett · 03-30-2023, 08:51 AM

The link worked perfectly for me. Thanks for letting us know about this.

Afordman31 · 03-30-2023, 05:32 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Antfire-Recha...pacebran246-20

rich40701 · 03-30-2023, 11:32 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Jay Leno had a battery powered set on one of his vintage cars but I can't remember which one. The ones he had looked like they were made for the car. I did a little googling but never could find anything like them.

old31 · 03-30-2023, 12:19 PM

The link works.

Not a bad item, especially for $60.

Y-Blockhead · 03-30-2023, 04:31 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Altho I have turn signals I will pass it along.

nkaminar · 03-30-2023, 04:38 PM

Cool. One could glue magnets on the indicators to enable them to be mounted almost anywhere. A little pad of material would protect the paint from being scratched by the magnets. Super strong magnets are available on the internet.

ModelA29 · 03-30-2023, 06:25 PM

Since they are USB charged you can just wire in a usb charger to keep the battery up to snuff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2q2ndf7jmY

I saw one thread where the guy mounted them in the back window since the remote does not have much range.

I bought a $10 set off Fleabay to try. I'm going to cut the housing and extend the wires so I can put a signal on each side and move the receiver closer to the transmitter which I'll stick on the dash with a magnet.

Here is a 4 light one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/12580704349...Bk9SR4Sbg83mYQ

Y-Blockhead · 03-31-2023, 10:51 AM

Looking at the items on Amazon, it appears you have to charge each light and the unit individually. Is there any indication when a light needs charging? Being out of view, I see this as a potential problem while on the road depending how long the charge lasts? Charge them every night??

LEM · 03-31-2023, 12:01 PM

I purchased the same ones from Amazon, but I removed them because they would not hold a charge very long and even after recharging sometimes one or two would not even work. I am now in the process of installing the logo lights system. More reliable.

mngreen · 03-31-2023, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Looking at the items on Amazon, it appears you have to charge each light and the unit individually. Is there any indication when a light needs charging? Being out of view, I see this as a potential problem while on the road depending how long the charge lasts? Charge them every night??

Specs per Amazon:

Specification (Turn Signal Light)
Light source: COB LED

Size: 49*65*26mm

Waterproof: IP65

Working hours: 4 hours continuous flashing, 70 days stand by.

Working Temperature: -10-40C

Brightness: 75 Lumen

Specification (Remote Control)
Light Source: LED

Size: 52*50*18.5mm

Waterproof: IP65

Working hour: Standby 200 days

Working distance: Within 10 meters from the light

Soooo, working time while driving should never be an issue. What is an inconvenience is that when you put away the car, the lights gradually lose their charge, so I intend to recharge them before going for a drive or tour.

Also, one needs to understand that these lights use RFID (radio frequency) to pair up, so if there are lots of metal between the controller and the lights then they may lose pairing. They were made for bicycles, not autos after all! If they do lose pairing, a simple button push solves it. For my cabriolet and my T touring this is not a problem since they both have soft tops, not a hard body cab.

Not a perfect solution, but it's sure worth a try for $65!

Y-Blockhead · 03-31-2023, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mngreen

Soooo, working time while driving should never be an issue. What is an inconvenience is that when you put away the car, the lights gradually lose their charge, so I intend to recharge them before going for a drive or tour.

Also, one needs to understand that these lights use RFID (radio frequency) to pair up, so if there are lots of metal between the controller and the lights then they may lose pairing. They were made for bicycles, not autos after all! If they do lose pairing, a simple button push solves it. For my cabriolet and my T touring this is not a problem since they both have soft tops, not a hard body cab.

Not a perfect solution, but it's sure worth a try for $65!

See post #12?

mngreen · 03-31-2023, 08:29 PM

Ymmv.

ndnchf · 03-31-2023, 12:30 PM

I put a $15 wireless turn signal in the back window of my pickup. It works great and last a long time on a USB charge.

LeonardS · 03-31-2023, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I put a $15 wireless turn signal in the back window of my pickup. It works great and last a long time on a USB charge.

Did you purchase this on Amazon? Any idea what the item number was or what it was called?

ndnchf · 03-31-2023, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonardS

Did you purchase this on Amazon? Any idea what the item number was or what it was called?

Ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/33475593315...mis&media=COPY

LeonardS · 03-31-2023, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndnchf

Ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/33475593315...mis&media=COPY

Thank you! I just ordered one.

Gene F · 03-31-2023, 01:09 PM

ndnchf, is that held on by suction cups? What activates the 3 intentions (L, R, Stop)?

03-30-2023, 08:06 AM	#2
Joop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 2,954	Re: "New" option for turn signals Hi Mike The Amazon link does’t work.

03-30-2023, 08:13 AM	#3
mngreen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Posts: 155	Re: "New" option for turn signals Go to Amazon and search for: Antfire Bike Tail Light with Turn Signals, USB Rechargeable Bright LED Safety Warning Bike Rear Lights, Wireless Remote Control Waterproof Bike Turn Signal LED Light for Mountain Bike, Road Bicycle __________________ Mike Green

03-30-2023, 08:51 AM	#4
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 957	Re: "New" option for turn signals The link worked perfectly for me. Thanks for letting us know about this.

03-30-2023, 05:32 PM	#5
Afordman31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 581	Re: "New" option for turn signals https://www.amazon.com/Antfire-Recha...pacebran246-20

03-30-2023, 11:32 AM	#6
rich40701 Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 78	Re: "New" option for turn signals Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jay Leno had a battery powered set on one of his vintage cars but I can't remember which one. The ones he had looked like they were made for the car. I did a little googling but never could find anything like them.

03-30-2023, 07:57 AM	#1
mngreen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Posts: 155	"New" option for turn signals I have never installed electronic turn signals on my Model A. For the last 48 years of ownership, I have just waved my arm out the window to my bewildered fellow motorists signaling my turns, sometimes only to get a return "wave" back! I never had the desire to install another taillight assembly on the passenger side rear fender nor did I want any more aftermarket electronics or wiring on my Model A. That being said, more and more often, I have noticed an increased need to relay my driving intentions to cars around me. Every year it seems that traffic is getting faster and faster and when my old jalopy saunters over in a lane, some mindless clown goes speeding by on my right, nearly missing me! Soooo, I wanted to inform you all of a "new" option.....USB rechargeable battery powered wireless turn signals....better than sliced bread!!! I bought and installed two sets, one for my Model T and another for the Model A. I have driven with them and am very pleased. A very well engineered and thought out product in many respects. I have provided a link below to what I bought on Amazon, total price of about $65 delivered. They are really neat, are easily installed, readily removable (no mods, held on by O-rings), bright enough in daylight, don't leave any marks, no wires, and really work! While they were designed for bicycles, motor scooters, etc., they are readily adaptable to our Model As, or anything else that needs turn signals. https://www.amazon.com/Antfire-Recha...78299793&psc=1 __________________ Mike Green

03-30-2023, 12:19 PM	#7
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,124	Re: "New" option for turn signals The link works. Not a bad item, especially for $60.

03-30-2023, 04:31 PM	#8
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,873	Re: "New" option for turn signals Thanks for the heads up. Altho I have turn signals I will pass it along.

03-30-2023, 04:38 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,002	Re: "New" option for turn signals Cool. One could glue magnets on the indicators to enable them to be mounted almost anywhere. A little pad of material would protect the paint from being scratched by the magnets. Super strong magnets are available on the internet. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-30-2023, 06:25 PM	#10
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 604	Re: "New" option for turn signals Since they are USB charged you can just wire in a usb charger to keep the battery up to snuff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2q2ndf7jmY I saw one thread where the guy mounted them in the back window since the remote does not have much range. I bought a $10 set off Fleabay to try. I'm going to cut the housing and extend the wires so I can put a signal on each side and move the receiver closer to the transmitter which I'll stick on the dash with a magnet. Here is a 4 light one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/12580704349...Bk9SR4Sbg83mYQ

03-31-2023, 10:51 AM	#11
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,873	Re: "New" option for turn signals Looking at the items on Amazon, it appears you have to charge each light and the unit individually. Is there any indication when a light needs charging? Being out of view, I see this as a potential problem while on the road depending how long the charge lasts? Charge them every night??

03-31-2023, 12:01 PM	#12
LEM Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Everett, Wa Posts: 84	Re: "New" option for turn signals I purchased the same ones from Amazon, but I removed them because they would not hold a charge very long and even after recharging sometimes one or two would not even work. I am now in the process of installing the logo lights system. More reliable.

03-31-2023, 08:29 PM	#15
mngreen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Posts: 155	Re: "New" option for turn signals Ymmv. __________________ Mike Green

03-31-2023, 01:09 PM	#20
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,010	Re: "New" option for turn signals ndnchf, is that held on by suction cups? What activates the 3 intentions (L, R, Stop)?