Jump to content

Wig-wag question

mikystyle

Recommended Posts

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted

I'm looking at two wig-wag modules by q-switch but i cant tell which one i need for my truck. The first one is described as, Q-Switch 100% Solid State Headlight Flasher by Sound Off, and the second one is described as, Q-Switch Solid State DRL Compatible Headlight Flasher by Sound Off. Whats the difference between the DRL version and the non-DRL version? Which one would i need to get for my 2001 1500 silverado?

http://www.lshlights.net/catalog/q-switch_...off_2118755.htm

http://www.lshlights.net/catalog/q-switch_...off_2118764.htm

Truckin2003 Enthusiast

Truckin2003

Posted
Posted

if i had to guess i would say the DRL model is for vehicles that used the same bulb for DRL and Headlights. For instance my 97 k1500 has DRL that use the low beams but dimmer and my work truck which is a 2003 2500HD has a seperate bulb and housing for the DRL....

 

Thats just my guess though...

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
  • Author
Posted
if i had to guess i would say the DRL model is for vehicles that used the same bulb for DRL and Headlights. For instance my 97 k1500 has DRL that use the low beams but dimmer and my work truck which is a 2003 2500HD has a seperate bulb and housing for the DRL....

 

Thats just my guess though...

So DRL is the driving lights?

Rolandd Enthusiast

Rolandd

Posted
Posted

Probably worth a call or e-mail to figure out what they are spec-ing here. I would assume that the DRL compatible systems are for vehicles that use the headlights as the DRL. I hope that you are a volunteer firefighter or have a permit for this because getting caught without can be ugly in some states (considered impersonating a police officer).

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Probably worth a call or e-mail to figure out what they are spec-ing here. I would assume that the DRL compatible systems are for vehicles that use the headlights as the DRL. I hope that you are a volunteer firefighter or have a permit for this because getting caught without can be ugly in some states (considered impersonating a police officer).

Yeah, ill probably send them an email. I know there is a pretty hefty fine and possible jail time. I dont plan on being stupid with them and using them on highways or whatnot, just for shows and to just have i guess. Thanks for the warning though.

TheBrokenMarine Enthusiast

TheBrokenMarine

Posted
Posted

I did not purchase the DRL unit and I've just got it wired to the high beam. They're the brightest and least used lamps so, I did it that way. That means it doesn't affect the running lamps.

 

However, I've had a better effect with hideaway strobe lamps. Halogen lamps burn out too quickly. Good luck.

Rolandd Enthusiast

Rolandd

Posted
Posted
Probably worth a call or e-mail to figure out what they are spec-ing here. I would assume that the DRL compatible systems are for vehicles that use the headlights as the DRL. I hope that you are a volunteer firefighter or have a permit for this because getting caught without can be ugly in some states (considered impersonating a police officer).

Yeah, ill probably send them an email. I know there is a pretty hefty fine and possible jail time. I dont plan on being stupid with them and using them on highways or whatnot, just for shows and to just have i guess. Thanks for the warning though.

 

Put these on a separate fuse and keep the fuse out of the fuse holder. With this precaution you can argue that the lights are disabled as opposed to just turned off. Best to have the fuse under the hood. If you are going for effect, the strobes mentioned above are legal in many states if you can argue that you need them (e.g: you plow snow or have some other reason to be in the road stopped). If you get info on the system you install, make sure that you get a hard copy such as printing out the web page or xeroxing a rule book so that if you do get into trouble you have something to fall back on. Having printed material got me out of a huge mess when I lived in CA and ran into an emmissions issue with one vehicle that did not have an air pump.

  • 2 weeks later...
john morris Enthusiast

john morris

Posted
Posted

maybe i can help, ive had strobes and wigwags in every vehicle ive owned as ive been a firefighter since i was 16. not sure about about pre-99's, but 99+ are GROUND-SIDE switched, so first you need to be sure to get that kind of wig-wag. the ones in my sierra would turn on all of my headlights...i had to put a resistor in line with the headlight wires near the underhood fuse block to change that, but the low-beams still turn on with the wigwags (which are on high beam). if you want to be stealthy that you have them, try:

 

http://www.galls.com

 

they have a chart where all you do is match your vehicle and it tell you the system they sell that works with your vehicle, and the flasher goes under the hood so you can hide it and put a switch anywhere you want.

 

hide-away strobes are also nice, but a lot more expensive...in addition to the strobe heads (60-70 bucks each) youre also looking at a powersupply (100-400 depending on how many heads and power) not to mention drilling holes in your headlights, and you need to be careful with sealing your connectors or rain n snow will make them not work. strobes can be a royal pain putting in, anda bit harder to hide...but again, it depends on what you want to spend and how much effort youre willing to put into it.

firefighteremt3100 Enthusiast

firefighteremt3100

Posted
Posted
maybe i can help, ive had strobes and wigwags in every vehicle ive owned as ive been a firefighter since i was 16. not sure about about pre-99's, but 99+ are GROUND-SIDE switched, so first you need to be sure to get that kind of wig-wag. the ones in my sierra would turn on all of my headlights...i had to put a resistor in line with the headlight wires near the underhood fuse block to change that, but the low-beams still turn on with the wigwags (which are on high beam). if you want to be stealthy that you have them, try:

 

http://www.galls.com

 

they have a chart where all you do is match your vehicle and it tell you the system they sell that works with your vehicle, and the flasher goes under the hood so you can hide it and put a switch anywhere you want.

 

hide-away strobes are also nice, but a lot more expensive...in addition to the strobe heads (60-70 bucks each) youre also looking at a powersupply (100-400 depending on how many heads and power) not to mention drilling holes in your headlights, and you need to be careful with sealing your connectors or rain n snow will make them not work. strobes can be a royal pain putting in, anda bit harder to hide...but again, it depends on what you want to spend and how much effort youre willing to put into it.

 

Be careful on assuming all 99 and up are GROUND-SIDE Switched. Galls has a list of compatible vehicles for most of their switches. I would use that as a reference and go somewhere else. Galls is like Walmart or CompUSA, they slap their name on the side of some cheaply made item and sell it as theirs. You are welcome to buy from there, but I would suggest going to other places such as www.lshlights.net, www.strobesnmore.com, or www.sirennet.net. These places sell many different name brand items and offer a better selection. Hide-a-strobes are not really expensive anymore. In fact you can check out the sites above and usually buy full "sets" complete with everything you need. Another thing to keep in mind is the "style" of hide-a-strobes you can buy. THey have ones that are tapered, so you can push it right into a drilled hole and it is sealed. Others you have to use 2 screws to hold in place. Yet others can be glued/epoxied into place. I'd suggest using the tapered/push grommet style if you are using it in places where weather will be a factor. I havent had any problems with mine as of yet. I believe bartlanz also said he sells hide-a-strobe kits. Maybe check and see what he has to offer. Another helpful tip, use di-electric grease on all your connectors and you really shouldnt run into any problems with corrosion and whatnot. To be completely safe, use the di-electric grease, and put heatshrink over the top of it. Hope this helps...and isnt taken as being conceited :driving: Just ran into similar problems when I First started out looking for answers. Thought I would save you the time and effort :thumbs:

  • 2 weeks later...
john morris Enthusiast

john morris

Posted
Posted

the under-hood flashers galls sells are sho-me flashers. hey, they work, and they're cheaper than strobes and a lot easier to install. galls has the directions online as well if you lose the copy that comes with the flasher. whelan engineering makes them as well, as does code 3 and federal signal, and i think svp does as well, but they all make the headlights flash. pick one and dont get into trouble. good luck

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.6k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    343,007
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    Brendan C
    Newest Member
    Brendan C
    Joined

  • Who's Online   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 1,137 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Z45
      2026 6.6 L5P oil cooler leaking oil at 4,000 miles

      By Z45 · Posted

      The oil filter has NOTHING To do with oil leak. GM sources parts from 1,000's of vendors and as with anything mass produced, flaws are unavoidable.    Putting a larger oil filter will do nothing but satisfy emotions. The OEM filter is designed for the engine and perfectly capable of handling the demands on the engine. Oversize oil filter could result in reduced flow and overall lower oil pressure.
    • Grumpy Bear
      Joke Thread

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

    • Grumpy Bear
      The Peckish Synapse

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      You're better read than that Atlas. 😏   British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke formulated three adages that are known as Clarke's three laws, of which the third law – that "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" – is the best known and most widely cited.   Stribeck and the pivotable Hersey Number isn't voodoo nor snake oil. That part is physics. It's what marketing and bean counters do with it that is snake oil and voodoo.    Stribeck is the relationship between Hersey and the Coefficient of Friction. Within the Hersey Equation if viscosity and viscosity is 'Dependent' on.......heat.......and.......viscosity index or the temperature to viscosity slope.    Specifically Hersey is the viscosity AT THE TEMPERATURE IN THAT LOCATION FOR THAT SLOPE.   Hydrodynamic lubrication exist when the film thickness in the location is 3X the Ra roughness of the surface. This is irrespective of the hardness of the substrate. To obtain that thickness X viscosity is required for Y velocity at Z load. That's a lot of moving parts. It is also impossible to maintain in an ICE but nearly possible with a turbine under constant load.    What does that mean? Error heavy and operate light. Wear is inevitable but the rate of wear and the milage obtainable are a function of prevailing conditions and HABITS. The only penalty is viscous drag and at fractions so low as to be well worth the effort. Double the life, half the manufacturing carbon foot print. Greed is the only impediment.    The materials generated by SwRI are the RESULT not an estimation or a hypothesis.    Don't delude yourself sir, EV's have as many pitfalls as ICE's. We just don't know what they are yet and it will take longer to sort as MARKETING and GREEDY CEO's have had more time to polish the turd they are selling. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      The Peckish Synapse

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      You can always count on greed to prey on ignorance and stupidity.    Friend bought a 2019 Ford Flex and asked me about using Valvoline R&P 5W30 in it. Told him give the miles on it and the fact it wasn't yet using oil that it was a good plan. He uses a Valvoline quick change shop for his oil service.   First they tell him that isn't the oil the OEM recommends. He told them he didn't care what the OEM thought. Then they floated the, "But it will void your warranty"    His reply was it's a 2019, there is no warranty and informed them their knowledge of the law was lacking.    Then they tell him 'But it will ruin your motor"!.    Mine to ruin he says. Finally they give in and charge him 150% the semi-syn price    Point it the brainwash is so embedded that even the service industry is drunk on their swill. The public is right behind them. Echoing the same lies on every forum and media platform. If the end goal is indeed EV then I'd say that ship is about built. 
    • CamGTP
      Gas Prices

      By CamGTP · Posted

      Diesel hit $6.00 here today at the truck stop.   Payed $2.79 for E85 today too.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...