> I find my blinker is left on too long about once every two days.  So
> for me it would be grand.
> 
> I think I cannot depend on the blinker making a sound.  So I will have
> to go with optical means.
> I agree that car manufacturers do a poor job of making the
> annunciators on a car obvious.
> I don't want to use a cigarette lighter due to cords drooping in odd
> places.
> Lots of cars don't have ODB.
> I do not want the installer to have to be able to find anything other
> than the instrument panel.  That leaves out plugging in a flasher
> socket.  Who knows how many different types there are anyway ?
> 
> So I invite suggestions on how to detect blinking lights in bright
> sunlight.  I have got some ideas, would like to hear yours.
> 
> Ultimately, I would like to figure out how to use a wide angle camera
> ( $10 at sparkfun.com )  and maybe a Linux wall-wart    (
>
http://www.marvell.com/products/embedded_processors/developer/kirkwood/sheev
aplu
> g.jsp
>   )  to perform machine vision object recognition.
> Then I can look for blinking lights, position of gauges, monitor the
> speedometer, etc.  Plus the wall-wart can look ahead and behind the
> car and calculate time to impact based on relative motion.  And it can
> listen for emergency vehicles and determine where they are.  And it
> can thank drivers for letting me change lanes.
> MA


There's 2 main types, 2-pin or 3-pin.  The 2-pin is the old type, they are a
straight thermal switch, a bimetal switch that works the same as Xmas tree
lights.  Current flows, lights light up, switch heats up & opens, light go
out, switch cools & closes, repeat.  Tic toc tic toc.  Relies on wattage to
work properly, which is why replacing your bulbs with LEDs doesn't quite
work.

The 3-pin is exactly the same, the third pin for the dash indicators.  Any
variations are either wattages ratings or shape.

No doubt the Model-T and a few other exotics have a different setup.

Good luck on the rest of the, uh, stuff.

Tony

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