VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 wireless turn signals

Available in Australia for 'hard wired ony' turn signals (called blinkers in Aus.) are 25/26 Chev reproduction park light bodies with curved amber glass lenses(milk glass also available for park light use)and rim from Page Reproduction Parts.
email djpage@primus.com.au

You'd need to get a devise/switch for mounting a turn switch. On my 28 CSC I've got an after market 15 amp 3 way switch (left on/off/right on) It's quite small and I've mounted it on a small bracket that I mounted it between the steering column bracket and the end of dash return so that it can't be seen but easily switched on by leaning forward slightly. I also had this set up on my coach for the 16 years I owned it. I also have one very small LED light mounted inconspicuously on my header board so as to make sure I turn the signal off. The wire is hidden behind the pillar covering.
Chris
The bodies are brass so that can also be used on veteran cars. I've got nickle plated ones on my 15 Amesbury to match the rest of the cars lights
Chris

Good day to you Chris,

I like your set up. Sounds very professional.My only question is you say you lean forward to activate the semi concealed switch. Are you embarrashed to drive with indicators to make your old Chev safer?

New to this game, and as I understand it, some refer to 28's as having sissy brakes, only because the have a brake on all 4 wheels.Strange but as we all zoom around the country in our modern buzz boxes with 4 wheel disc brakes, I dont seem to recall nicknames covering the change over from drum to disk.And if they released a car with no disc brakes these days, apart from it being illegal, the public would not have a bar of it.

Some of these old Chevs are now 90 years old, and if we have any chance of driving safely in modern traffic, should we not welcome any opportunity to make our pride and joys not as dangerous to other road users.Lets be honest, as fast or slow as our old Chevs may be, to the modern motorist, after the novelty wears off, they are a moving road block.

The other option is to bring back the old 1905 or so law, with a man waving a red flag walking in front.
I fear if we are not careful we will condem these old cars to going to a venue on the back of a trailer, doing a few slow laps around the park, then back on the trailer to go home.

Still what would I know???

Actually,the Red Flag Act was repealed in England,back in 1896.And when it was repealed,the London to Brighton Run was created in "celebration" of the act being repealed,and as everyone knows,the London to Brighton Run has been held every year since.

veryrusty,

Don't know if you are old enough to remember this, (obviously I am), but when I was young a lot of twenties cars, including 28 Chevs, which were still being used for everyday transport, carried a reflective red warning triangle strapped to the spare tire with the legend "Caution 4 Wheel Brakes" to warn lesser mortals not to drive too closely behind them. I think they must have been a popular accessory in the late twenties.

Sometimes I wish I had a sign "Caution 2 Wheel Brakes" on the back of the 27 to warn the idiots who persist in cutting in front of me in traffic where I have left an adequate margin to stop safely - probably would not mean anything to them though.

Re the red flag bearer, I would hate to have his job in front of my 27 during a tropical downpour when the brakes were really wet. It would be a dangerous and possibly short-lived occupation!

Frank.

Canada placed the 4-wheel brakes triangular sign on the left rear fender in 1928.

Hi Frank and Antique Mechanic,

Can you just imagine how it must of been in those early days.

We really do take for granted how cars have developed over the years.

Just think of how an insurance claim would have read in the late 20's.

Question - Can you describe the accident

Answer - I ran into the back of a 28 Chev.

Question - What do you think caused the accident

Answer - Damn fool in the 28 Chev had 4 wheel brakes.

Australia also had the triangle 'warning 4 wheel brakes' but we had it on the RHS. I have a couple of different versions I got off old 28 rear guards, one had a light in the middle, the other had a reflector.
Chris

found some really stylish lights that go on HARLEY DAVIDSON motocycles. They come with amber len's and white LED's or white LED's with amber lens's.

Also found some literature on wireless technology, have to dig out my old college elec eng textbooks and see if I can convert my "vacuum tube" theory (1960's) to semiconductor theory, might even get it smaller than a gym locker now and not need the 12 truck batteries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Ron,

Not trying to discourage you fella, but is it worth all the effort to get these wireless gizmos into reality.

Would you spend as much time, thought and energy to ensure your old Chev starts, stops, runs and looks as good as it can.

You are obviously on a mission, so I wish you well.

Happy trails to ya.

point well taken...but I also watched the Super Bowl...need to get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I just purchased a second 27, I will have a lot less time to solve the world problems.

Thanks ron

Keep up the good work Ron,

Just think of the positive side. Now you have two 27's, all your problems are halved, or is that doubled.

I'm not sure.

Cheers

Ray

I have filed for a patent on such a device that does not require wiring into the vehicles electrical system!

C.I.P.A. has a set that is fairly simple to wire into the turn signal wiring in the trunk.

Regards, Tobias

Mr. Mack sir, I think I disagree with you about the 27's and earlier cars having rear brakes only. I believe 1/2 of the 28's (January thru about June), have rear brakes only. 1928 apparently was a transisional year and the powers to be DID actually change horses in midstream by adding front brakes. I am one of those early '28 vehicles...or at least my truck is. It may be that only the trucks were affected and not the cars. If that is the case then I would only disagree by 1/2!

tks,
Jerry

The '28 passenger cars have four wheel brakes. The 1 ton trucks didn't have front brakes until July.

Re: 28's having front brakes. Thank you Chipper for the clarification. BTW, they ('28 trucks), had no directional signals and only one brake light. For those that care, I have added both signals and two brake lights (hard wired). Whichever avenue you take, be careful out there.

One more thought, remember one day someone else will own your car!

tks,
Jerry

This started out as "wireless turn signals" and has slid into brakes. Come on guys, this is the Christmas Season.

Gooday,

I have tried to keep everything on my 27 ute as original as possible but hardwired indicators on my old ute with a simple on off switch attached to a small plate at the steering column, it is out of the way, I have a similar on off switch for the ignition after my original bakelite switch cracked after 87 years.

The indicator lenses are amber conical type from the 1950's and I don't think look out of place.

When I am driving in traffic and having had plenty of experience with F***wits

(a) who cannot drive (b) are inconsiderate (c) hoons (d) d***heads or as in a lot of cases a combination of all of the above, the least I can do for my and my passenger's safety is have clear indicators.

In modern traffic which has enough risks with an old car I go for safety every time.


Have a safe and happy Christmas


Bob

I have a 28 Coupe with wireless turn signals. What I have are turn signals designed for bike riders (Don't laugh they work great). If you go to Google and search for wireless led turn signals you will probably find them. They are battery operated. You put the control on your steering wheel or anywhere you can get to it. It attaches with a rubber carrier and goes on and off in seconds. The actual signal is in the rear window. I keep it on with two sided adhesive pads and can take it off in a few seconds, clean the window and it is stock original again. I can then put them back on to travel safely. They are very bright, easily seen in the window, and have right, left, and emergency flasher, including tones to tell you whether right or left signal is on. They cost $40. Neatest thing you've ever seen. Can't remember the brand but I could find them if you can't. The LEDs for the signal are shaped like arrows (3 to a side) and very visible. Look them up.

I Googled the lights I mentioned. They are available from www.gadgetsandgear.com. The design is slightly changed, and the price is $39.99 + shipping. Take a look at them. I installed them purely for safety reasons (as well as a second center mounted stop light that is brighter than my original Stop/Brake light). Strongly suggest them if safety is your concern. If you want something more stylish or original then you may not like them. Don't know how they would fare in a judging competition, but I don't enter judging competitions so not an issue for me. Just wanted something other drivers could see that was quick, no hard wiring, inexpensive, and this filled the bill. Your decision.

This is probably exactly what you are looking for;

Wireless & magnetic indicators

I've tried responding to this string twice but they aren't showing up. If you go to www.gadgetsandgear.com they have a set of wireless turn signals for $40 that are designed for bicycle riders. Don't laugh, they work well on cars and I put them on my 28 Coupe purely for safety reasons, along with a high mount extra brake light since the originals aren't very noticeable. The wireless lights go on with double sided sticky pads (tinted black so they can't be seen against the black background of the turn signal) The control unit is in rubber covering that you can stretch onto the steering wheel or wherever you want. They have LED indicators on the controller as well as different sounds for left and right signal, plus emergency flasher control for all LEDs. They are highly visible, work on AAA batteries, which should last a long time, and can be removed in less than 5 minutes to restore car to original, if you want, and then put back on in a few minutes to get back on the road. I don't do judging, but drive my car in summer, and I wouldn't be without them now. I too thought they might not be very practical, but after seeing them and talking to others who have seen them, they work great for the price. They could be mounted externally if you wanted, but then you might want something more secure than adhesive. Inside on the window is not a problem because if they did come off they would land inside the car, but they haven't come off in warm weather, cold weather, or anything for over 6 months now. Just use enough stickly pads (I use 6-3 on each side). Check them out.

At almost $400 I think I prefer the bicycle type I mentioned for$40 bucks. They certainly do the job for $400, but not sure I want to put anything on my frame off paint job that might move around and cause some problems,or maybe even fall off under the right circumstances. I would mount some type of tether to them to protect my investment.

I think we will see a lot more LED and Wireless devices like this in the near future, and at lower costs. Now Chevy owners have at least two ways to solve the problem based on their needs.

I recently bought some LED warning lights that run on batteries, and can be clipped on almost anywhere. Paid $1 for them and bought 4. Keep them in my 28Coupe in case of a breakdown or other trouble. With some extra batteries in the car they would last a long time in my view. They are bright, and flash or stay constant. You can even just put them on the highway like the old triangles to warn cars.

Thanx for letting us know this option is out there