Maverick LED Sequential Tail Lights

Yep ! I'm looking forward to seeing these also .. I've converted my COMET taillights to Dual Red Lenses . removed the factory back up lens, and I installed Mustang Back Up Lights in the lower valance which works nicely. I'm expecting the Outer Pod of the Comet Taillights to blink sequentially and the INNER RED lens to be another BRAKE light. Rigging up the additional brake light isn't difficult but I'm waiting to see what PERFORMANCE comes up with first. At any rate, it's in the works .
Cometized
(Chip)

 

I have it installed except for the sequential part. I should have that done tomorrow, I just need to hook up the wire to ignition on and install a 10 amp fuse on that wire. Where is a good place to hook up to ignition on under the dash where I don't have to cut into a wire? As far as the flasher goes, I bought the solid state flasher they sell and it works on all lights and you have no problem mixing them up with LED in the back and not up front. It also does not make any clicking noise. I confirmed that tonight. The kit is well done with a nice set of directions. I am still not sure exactly how to program the sequential part but will see how it works when I get to that point. As far as the lights go I like how they included the reflector portion of the lens but wish the light on was brighter. The brake and turn signal lights are brighter than stock but the light on seems a little dimmer than stock but it has more area lit up. I installed one light at a time and took some pictures of the difference and will post it later but lights are hard to capture with a camera.

 

Hi Nick:
Dr.Bill recommends checking the voltage with a Voltmeter at the battery FIRST .. then compare that reading to the reading on the taillight wires in the trunk . It should be close to the same voltage. Do these steps with the car " running" and with the HEADLIGHTS ON and let us know what the readings are and Bill will diagnose that information to see if we can help with this . Bill recommends getting a "fuse tap" at an auto parts store and installing it around the " radio " fuse on the Hot Side then use an " inline" fuse holder in the wire leading to the LED assembly.
This way if there was a " short " , it wouldn't effect your wiring harness. Bill has put relays on the Headlights on our cars which increases voltage to the Taillights , AND the headlights in one move. Let us know what you determine and we'll follow through . Footnote * Bill just made an " analogy" on how FORD wired their cars.. Kinda like running a 16 Ga. one hundred foot extension cord and then plugging a 3-way plug on the end and trying to run THREE Skil Saws simultaneously . The whole car is powered by the Yellow Wire on the Starter Cellunoid which is maybe 10 Gauge at Best .. We had tested a COMET previously with Stock Wiring with Headlights and accessories running and found a voltage drop of 2.5 volts from the Battery to points Underneath the Dashboard. Since the systems are 12 Volts a drop of 2.5 volts is significant and reduces the brightness of the lights involved.

Cometized
(Chip)

 

Haven't yet, but hope to on Monday. My Dad is in hospice care now, so I don't have a lot of time. But....I want to get the car ready for the meets this year, and just hope I can make it to them. Dad comes first, but want to get the car where I want it. Those lights look nice, and seem to me to add a safety bonus. Are you going to the Roundup or Gathering this year? I know the Gathering is in Somerset, KY, but not sure on the Roundup. I am also wanting to go to the Dream Cruise in Detroit, if possible. I'll keep you posted! Take care, my best to the family!

Earl

 

MCCI Roundup Nationals are in Washington, Pennsylvania (just south of Pittsburgh) in July.

 

Earl, good luck with your Dad. I am going to the Roundup which is in Pittsburgh, PA this year. I will be at the beach the week of the Gathering but hope to make it to a Gathering and Roundup the same year one of these years.

 

Those are nice Nick ,Loraine wants a set for her car, and I may get a set for mine also.

 

Thanks Nick, glad things are going well with you. Going to order these today, and see how it goes. I do have a valence panel with backup lights from a Camaro RS, and red tail light lenses, and they might look even better. Just have to see.
Take care,
Earl

 

Thanks Craig, missed it when you posted. Been a hectic time here this past year.

 

Rejoin the MCCI and get the newsletters....never miss a thing.

 

I hear ya. Gonna do that real soon. More pressing things going on right now.

 

Hey Nick:
Just spoke to Jim at PERFORMANCE on the sequential taillights for COMETS . He has received the set I shipped him and is starting to develop the COMET setup soon. I've ordered 2 sets for my Mavericks and they're shipping them to me this week. Have you completed YOUR install on the taillights yet ? Just curious.
Cometized
(Chip)

 

Hey Chip, I completed the install and it looks great. The lights on mode is actually fine, it was daylight when I first looked at them so I waited until night and they look real cool. I took a voltage reading with the lights on, at the battery I got 14.22 volts and at the tail lights I got 12.30 volts. I am going to video it once I get a problem worked out. The lights are fine but since they operate at such a low voltage they are sensitive and can flicker a half second after they are supposed to if there are any wiring issues on the car when using the sequential modes. I found that the hot wire for my tachometer is the probable cause through a process of elimination with all my electrical add-ons. I needed ignition on power so I tapped into the fuse for the blower motor which has a resistor. I need to find another ignition on spot to hook up to. I was going to seach with my test light tomorrow, do you have any suggestions?

 

Hi Nick;
Bill suggests you NOT use the blower motor since it draws a lot of current , instead try the one for the RADIO .
Do you have your headlights on Relays ? Doing so will lower the current draw through the headlight switch which
helps to keep the voltage HIGHER at the Taillights . A side benefit is you will also have brighter Headlights.
If you need any help in how to wire the relay let us know . Bill has done this several times before and can offer
some suggestions that would work well and save you some time.
Cometized
(Chip)

 

I'm curious. If the power feed for the taillights comes from an ignition ON feed, does that mean they will not operate with the key OFF? I'm assuming the taillights use the actual turn signal/brake light wire for signaling (input to the taillight's internal smarts) purposes only.

What about hazard lights with the key OFF?
What about brake lights with the key OFF?

As long as the current draw is super low, as it should be with solid state state electronics, I would lean towards a fused CONSTANT feed for the taillights. They should only operate when a turn signal / stop signal is received. Thoughts?