High/Low Beam Flash Control

[komac]

I have a 2010 Hurricane with the W-18 chassis. During daytime driving, I'd like to be able to flash my headlights to signal other vehicles, especially trucks, that they have clearance to move into my lane after they have passed. I can't do that now. The stalk control on the steering wheel column only gives me high and low beam control at night, but does not flash the headlights on during the day. Does anyone know whether I can modify the wiring to give me that capability? Thanks. Komac

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by komac Does anyone know whether I can modify the wiring to give me that capability? Thanks.

Komac, What you are referring to is called "flash to pass". We have had members here who have worked on that feature and I would search for those keywords.

[Clay L]

I make sure that the headlights are on high beam. When I want to signal I turn the headlights on and off to flash. The lights go from DRL with one headlight lit to bright with two headlights lit and the drivers can see that.

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by komac ................. During daytime driving, I'd like to be able to flash my headlights to signal other vehicles, especially trucks, that they have clearance to move into my lane after they have passed. I can't do that now.......... Does anyone know whether I can modify the wiring to give me that capability? Thanks. Komac

You can always turn on, then off, your regular "night time" headlights, and they will replace the DRLs which should be on during normal daytime driving.

FWIW, the customary method used by "most" professional truckers is to turn headlights, or DRLs, OFF when the passing vehicle is clear to return into the lane of the vehicle being passed. Essentially, the absence of lights equates to a vehicle not being there. This is especially preferred at night because flashing the lights from low to high "can" have a blinding effect on the driver looking in his mirrors.

Some coaches are equipped with an "ICC" switch which flashes off any lights that are on, or turns on those that are off. My Newmar had such a switch and I used it to signal my thanks when I had passed a vehicle which had signaled me. Unfortunately, the ICC switch did not affect the DRLs .

I solved the problem of how to momentarily turn off the DRLs by simply pressing very lightly on the foot applied parking brake pedal. NOT enough to engage the brake, but enough to turn off the DRLs. You will be able to see the dash IP symbol for the DRLs go off when you do this, and they will stay off as long as you hold slight pressure on the PB pedal. I've done this 1000s of times with no problems.

Hope this helps, Ed

[komac]

Thanks, Driver. I'll look for those key words. What I do now is reach down to the lower left of my instrument panel and turn my headlights on and off, but that is awkward to do. I'd like the flash control on the stalk, just as it was on my three previous motorhomes. Komac

[komac]

Thanks Edgray. My 2010 Hurricane is on the W-18 chassis. I don't have a foot pedal for the parking brake. I have the pull button at the left of the instrument panel. That's what I use to set the parking brake. Komac

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by komac Thanks Edgray. My 2010 Hurricane is on the W-18 chassis. I don't have a foot pedal for the parking brake. I have the pull button at the left of the instrument panel. That's what I use to set the parking brake. Komac

I'm sure you know....but in that case, please don't follow my advice !!!

I would think your best solution is to add a heavy duty "momentary" switch into the circuit for your DRLs which you can use to flash them. The high/low beam switch on the stalk could then be used at night. Safe travels, Ed

[komac]

Thanks for the suggestion Edgray. A "momentary" switch for the DRLs may be what I'll do. I was hoping that I might be able to make a small modification to the wiring for the control stalk. But there's been no suggestion for that. Komac

[agiledog]

I too have wanted this feature. Right now I use the fog light switch which is pretty awkward. I intend on putting in a momentary push-button and a relay hooked to the high beams. We don't drive at night so the high beam option should not be a hazard. I will mount the new switch on the left hand console on the driver door near the mirror controls.