Dummy Flashing Alarm LEDs

[TomoHawk]

You know those flashing LEDs that you see on cars with alarms or theft-deterrent stuff installed?  I was looking at my drawer of electronics junk, and realized I had the stuff to make one (555 timer, resistors, LED, etc.)  I made a Printed circuit board ( hate breadboarding) and put the thing together.  It worked! 

I will add some wire to the LED so I can hide the PCB behind the sunvisor, and let the LED hang down near the rearview mirror.

But overall, would something like that  be useful?  Does the fake alarm LED actually deter a would-be thief? 

Edited January 19, 2017 by TomoHawk

[Captain Obvious]

Theft deterrent.
Theft resistance.
Theft recovery.

Does it do anything to help? Well it certainly can't ENCOURAGE theft, right?

[TomoHawk]

It's a 1970s car.  A 2017 alarm system has no place in it, nor is it compatible, probably.  They probably plug into your OBD  board.

Edited January 19, 2017 by TomoHawk

[heyitsrama]

Those blinkies should work nice, but I think using some type of relay that could be removed for the ignition would be cool too


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[Captain Obvious]

That would be a small amount of theft resistance. That couldn't hurt either.

[S30Driver]

I agree, a small amount.  A hidden kill switch on a fuel pump relay is a better overall solution.

[TomoHawk]

Right now, I have all these little LED  things connected to a 9V in a switched battery holder.

It's not really related, but Bruce might get a kick from the chasing lights board I built:  it's  got a 555 timer and a 4017 decade counter.  I should make one up in the shape o f a Z?

 

Edited January 19, 2017 by TomoHawk

[TomoHawk]

10 hours ago, heyitsrama said:

Those blinkies should work nice, but I think using some type of relay that could be removed for the ignition would be cool too

I'm confused.  What do you mean?

[S30Driver]

I think he means disabling the ignition when the led blinker circuit is active.

[TomoHawk]

There ought to be a simple way to disable the ECU too.  I'm just tired of stringing loose wires behind the gauges.

[heyitsrama]

Well it just that the blinky is just like a visual confirmation of the system (if it exists) but something that would interfere with the ignition would be a better deterrent. I think ultimately thats what we would want, something that is going to immobilize the car unless its the owner.

 

[Alicia_Martin]

Nice job TomoHawk....