LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

After long searching for help, I suspect there is a smart person out there. I have 2 LED tail lamps from from Mac's (with a black wire: parking lamp and a green wire:for Stop and Turn signals). The old turn signal unit is an old one model 9000-ST which does not have a separate wire for Stop lamps. It does have a wire for Left turn and a wire for Right turn hookup to those lamps.
I would like to use the brightest part of the lamp (green wire) for both turn and stop functions.
How do I wire up those rear lamps so when wiring is tied together for Stop lights, the Turn signal function doesn't cross over to the other side and make both rear lamps blink? Thanks- roughrider in NM

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Maybe this will help, you'll most likely need to include resistors in the line for the LED's to function correct

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

There should be a whole lot of info in search. This is talked a lot.

Any good turn switch will do what you want. A Signal-stat unit [ usually now a 900] looks somewhat period and they work well as well as hook up easily.

Stop lights should work through the turn lights together, which ever turn light is on the and the stop light switch is activated, the opposite stop light will light while the proper turn light flashes.

Usually LEDs will not flash correctly with a thermal flasher, I just use higher candle power front bulbs to load the flasher rather than use in-line resistors. Its hard to find an electronic flasher that will work correctly on 6v.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Patrick, I found a good variety of Electronic flashers (6 & 12 volt)
that work with LEDs. Bulbs too.
I may have to get at different turn signal unit with more wires to solve the stop lamp wiring issue?

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Roughrider, how many wires does your "turn signal unit" have? Most of the newer one have seven.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Y,

My turn signal unit only has 4 wires, nothing for the brake light switch. I may have to get a 7 wire unit, maybe a Signal-Stat 900? Ideas anyone?
thanks

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

I bought a Signal Stat unit from Sacramento Vintage Ford. It was wired specifically for the Model A. Easy to install. Complete wiring instructions. Has worked flawlessly now for 10 years.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Yeh, sound like yours is wired similar to mine. I use a separate lite for my turn signals, it has an red LED inside.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...906ef11e0f.jpg

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Most turn signal systems have an interconnect with the brake light in the signal control switch so that when a signal direction is selected, the brake light function circuit is opened for that side while the opposite side is still functional for the brake light. If it isn't set up this way then it isn't a very good system. It's important to have the diagram for the one you have. They may not be all the same. Most modern ones are the same but the older ones is anyones guess. It may take a while to figure out an old unit that has faded cloth covered wire.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

I agree with Rotor wrench. You have to take the output of the brake light switch to the brake light input to the turn signal switch and it then controls which lights or both get the brake light power. The brake lights serve a dual purpose. Brake and turn signal. If the turn signal is not being used at all, both lights would light upon braking. If the left turn signal is being used, the left rear light will blink but not show braking while the right light will indicate braking. Bottom line is that the turn signal switch on the steering column does all the work.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Not knowing what you are trying to use, it may require you getting a new/different turn switch. I happen to like Signal-stat. They are not hard to install.
There may now be electronic flashers that actually work, I've not found one [ I think I have 3], but, it was quite some time ago. So I just stick with what I know works.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Thanks for all the excellent replies. To do what I want, it seems i must dump the 4-wire turn signal unit and get a 7-wire.
My setup for my '31 Dlx Coupe (6 volt pos gnd):

Cowl lamps have the Turn Signal Adapter Kit with a new reflector that has a larger hole in center and socket for dual filament bulbs. Mac's p/n 28-21082-1 on sale now at a discount. Other vendors have this same kit.

Replaced the Cowl bulb with an LED from LEDlight.com,
SKU 97465W...1154 Bulb LED BAY15D Base, 6v, 2.6 watt, white 6000K. This is search light bright, hard for anyone to miss. Bulb is big but just fit thru reflector without touching the glass lens.

Tail lamps are all red LED, original look body. They are made by UPautoparts.com and sold by many vendors.
See photo. UP part #FTL2831LED6-AL
And, yes these babies are Very bright. 2-wire like the original; tail lamp and WOW brake light circuits.

The electronic flasher (for LEDs) came from LEDlight.com.
SKU 84787, Flasher LED 6 volt Pos ground 3 terminal.
It works without using any load resistors. These guys know Model As and are very helpful on the phone for vintage cars, 6 & 12 volt LED bulbs, flashers etc. Have stuff I could not find anywhere else. Don't forget to attach the small ground wire from this flasher to the body.

Next: Order a 7 wire turn signal unit. This should allow me to use the tail lamps as Both brake and turn signals
with out adding extra lamps to the bumper. Hoping.
Thanks all.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

Here is some more refference

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

And one more for added confusion..........

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

You're on the right track.

Re: LED taillights and how to wire turn signals
 

The absolute best turn signal system is here:

http://www.turnswitch.com/Turnsignal.htm