I will soon be wiring my roadster and have been looking at the Tardel / Bishop schematic as my game plan. I noticed that turn signals are not featured on this diagram. I'm not opposed to using hand signals, but am concerned about night time and low visibility situations and the general lack of awareness that other drivers often display. I also like the look of a clean steering column. Basically, I'm wondering what some of you guys are doing and if you're sticking to hand signals, how has that working out. Thanks
I just use my left arm. Haven't had a problem yet (knock on wood). But most people hear me before they see me. Night time hasn't been an issue. I tend to make my intentions more noticeable and other drivers seem to understand.
Check out the neat signal light switch complete with a wiring diagram that Steve at Limeworks sells. A nice piece, I just bought one.
A couple of thoughts on this one. I don't bother with turn signals personally in a roadster. It adds bulk to the wiring, and seldom do the signals themselves (especially fronts) ever look like they belong. I too drive from the stand point of making my intentions know at all times, but use hand signal as well. I'm so bad that if the windows are down in my girlfriends late model Mercedes, I hand signal (embar***ing the hell out of her I might add...)! But, I do live in the center of a huge fast moving city, and am frequently yelling at all the other idiots out there who are way too busy to notice a hand signal more or less a blinking light. I have also actually lost a court case when a 19year old kid hit my car because he didn't "know what he was doing with his arm out the window, I thought it might have been a gang sign and was scared". It's not fair, and I'll add it was later apealled and overturned by an older male judge, but that sort of thing is something to be aware of. I just prefer yelling myself. Now if ya gotta put them on your car, a friend reacently had me wire his '34 pickup and did a very clever thing whith his switch. He took about an 1 1/2" of steering column tubing and welded it coming straight off the back side of the dash about 6" up. he then took one of the universal clamp on type column switches and clamped it to this piece of tubing so only the lighted lever tip stuck down below the dash. now if you want to signal a left turn, you push the lever left, and right to the right. The end blinks to let you know you signal is still on. Way clever!
When I had my '32 highboy, I had '39 Ford taillights with blue dots. I was told by others that they just couldn't see those light when lit, in the daytime. On my '36 roadster, I now have a switch mounted under the dash, and no blue dots.
I don't see why it would be any different than a coupe, but I use them on my T. One thing I've noticed is that other drivers aren't very mindful of signals anyway. Some care, others don't. I use mine when I'm in a heavy traffic area. If I get hit, I want everything going in my favor. I have Moddel A tail lights and small universal signals up front. My swich is mounted on the column and sits "up" not off to the side, like regular cars. I used a universal switch and cut the handle down to 3". You can barely see it. And honestly, most drivers are checking out the car and don't even notice the signals.
Is it a stick or automatic? Shifting, steering and using hand signals at the same time is a pain. If it's an automatic, hand signals would work but wiring up an old Yankee or signal Stat isn't that hard to.
A switch similar to this http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/shopnow/show_item.asp?product_id=5007R from one of any number of sources including Limeworks and the local Napa store can be put under the dash so that only the lever shows. I've even seen an article about taking a regular turn signal switch out of a GM column and mounting it behind or under the dash with just the lever exposed . I went cheap on the 48 a few years ago and wired in two toggle switches with one for left and one for right. They mount on a small bracket under the dash and operate bulbs that are separate from the brake lights on the back of the truck. Years ago when I built my T bucket I bought small motorcycle turn signal lights out of the take off box at a local bike shop for a few bucks each and ran them and they worked quite well. They did look like motorcycle turn lights on a hot rod though.
I wonder how funky it would look if you put those huge round add on turn signal lights on it, like they use to put on trucks in the 50s-60s. Maybe people would see them? It's getting to where driving is a ****shoot. Hand signals are a pain, less so in a roadster because you're probably not driving it if the weather is lousy. Like they said, not many people anymore know what you're waving at. And they ignore turn signals half the time anyways.
God gave you turn signals when you was born. Good luck finding someone under 30 who knows what the heck you are doing.
I see the Bobber and Chopper motorcycle guys using hand signals all the time, and I did that on my 23 T. It had a turnsignal switch under the seat but it was just as easy to put my arm out to signal. My 27 has signals with the lever in the conventional spot on the 56 Ford column, and it is very convenient. For front blinkers I got some cool lights with a bunch of stuff I bought one time, I think they are Harley accessory signal lights, and they blend in pretty well. For years I ran a set of those rectangular "pony" accessory lights that everyone sells, but they looked to modern so I swapped them out. Don
Most of the younger folks don't know what hand signals are as well as directional's so it's a good reason to do both at least it might get their attention I use early to late 60's column with the turn signals and a cancel... makes life simple and it looks right at home in a Roadster.
I have a 36 ,i put signals in for the same concern.A blinking signal might wake up a texting driver with no insurance.I am very aware,but a guy in front of me used a hand signal the other day and it took me by surprise.People arent looking for it.
You know, I have a theory behind hand signals in a hot rod roadster... The car is so visable, and using a hand signal gives that much more of a curiosity factor. Might just wake that idiot in the next lane out of his/her texting or "navi" trance long enough to be more visable. 'Bout the time I see Phoenix city police officers not using turn signals on normal patrol (yesterday), I start to think about being different
Great point - they may not know what the he'll you're waving for but by that time they're at least alert! I've also tried using my right arm but it's not as effective...
The switch out of an F100 complete with column is a natural for roadsters etc. Has a cup at the top that will mate to 80% of the hot rod steering wheels and one of the big things is, they are self cancelling. I use cowl lights in the front and the standard tail lights in the back. I use 50 cp bulbs in the turn part. They are as visable as any modern car and that is all you can do except try to stay away from idiots.
A lot of the problems with rear turn signals on older cars is that they're low and people don't notice them. I installed small red bulbs in my rear window to augment my stock taillights. They really show up especially at night. On a roadster.......?
You can find old turn signal switches in bread trucks and plumbing trucks at junk yards. I picked one up for $10.00. It's the kind that clamps onto the steering column. I've also seen them in school buses. It's not self canceling but it was all steel and chrome so it didn't look out of place with the rest of the car
On my '32 roadster, I hooked some old Guide lights on the side of the frame with the small lights on top of the BLC 904 A headlights so that they blink together. It's probably overkill but there are so many ****head drivers out today, I wanted to be safe. check it out on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CccB2_cdlOw&feature=youtu.be
I'm in the city and not having turn signals was not an option for me: i need all the help I can get to keep from being hit every day. And hand signals at night; forget about it. Same goes for flashers, which was easy enough since i was already doing signals. Anyways, here was my solution: see post #3 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=562350
Two toggle switches (or even better, one 'on-off-on') under the dash and a little 'pilot' light hidden discretely on the dash or in the speedo to remind you to cancel. Quick, clean, cheap and easy to install/repair. Just my 2 cents...
I'm using an American Autowire toggle switch for mine. Works fine for about 35 bux. I saw this & talked to the owner about these at LARS in bldg 4. Too pricey IMO but pretty cool. Also available in black. They also sell a long toggle- same electronics as the lever one but less money. They have 4 way flashers & auto timed shut off. Says roadster guys install them pointing down. Crazy expensive IMO for what it is but there may be someone who would like the info. http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/for-sale/speed-shop.html
Some people have used the old style fog lights as front turn signals. There are some vintage looking lights of various sorts if you hunt for a while. On my Plymouth, there is the original triangular brake light in the middle of the trunk lid - which originally was the only brake light. But I wired it so the lights on the rear fenders are additional brake lights plus turn signals. On the front, am simply using the parking lights. I too, took off my blue dot lenses after many years and returned to original - after a friend said he was following me on the interstate one night and could just barely see my tail lilghts. Re: the turn signal unit, I first bought one of those cheapies that sell for $16 to $20 with the green light indicator on the end of the handle. It only lasted a couple years and the internals gave out since they are not very heavy material given the price. So, I would suggest using some brand besides that one. People today are more used to seeing a flashing tail lilght rather than an arm sticking out the window. You could do both things if you want. I figure the younger drivers may think you're flipping them off or making some gang sign.
I tend to use hand signals but I have signals wired for night or low visability conditions... I started my car in the 70's before specialty kits... I didn't want a funky strap on 50's aftermarket accessary turn signal unit... So, I used a 57 Ford vacuum control knob on the dash and the cable runs to a early Corrvette cable controlled turn signal switch... Turn left or right and center to cancel... Pretty basic... Non-cancelling... I can see the amber turn signal on top of my headlights but it is easy to leave them in the on position during the day... Then I used a matching 57 Ford light switch on the opposite side of the dash... Vintage and functional
I'm making this setup on my 29 Tudor to operate the turn signals didn't want a switch bolted to the column http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=681439
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