Connecting strobe light to 12V vehicle reverse lights

[Dietmar]

I bought a 4-Way vehicle flasher unit. The positive wire to the unit is connected to the positive of the reverse lights. I have installed diodes, got the specification from auto electrican, on the positive of the reverse light and a diode on the positive of the flasher unit.
Somehow I blew the flasher unit.
Where did I go wrong with my connections?

 

[Alec_t]

Welcome to EP!
As we don't know what circuitry is inside the flasher unit it's difficult to say.
The respective pair of wires going to each connection point (e.g point 1) on the unit seem to short out the lamp supply.
Is the 'strobe light' in your thread title the flasher unit, or is it something not shown in your schematic?

 

[Bluejets]

Maybe because a lot of auto gear works on "earth return".

 

[Dietmar]

Welcome to EP!
As we don't know what circuitry is inside the flasher unit it's difficult to say.
The respective pair of wires going to each connection point (e.g point 1) on the unit seem to short out the lamp supply.
Is the 'strobe light' in your thread title the flasher unit, or is it something not shown in your schematic?

The flasher unit (marked as unit), is responsible for the flashing sequence of all 4 globes.
It worked all fine, until it was connected to the reverse lights.
Is my diagram correct?

 

[Kiwi]

I'm a little confused by your diagram.

Each bulb is shown as having a chassis earth and an earth wire going back to the flasher unit's output.
These earth wires appear to be joined to the bulb contact wire?

This is a direct short, so can't be correct?

Do you have a link to the flasher unit?

 

[Dietmar]

I'm a little confused by your diagram.

Each bulb is shown as having a chassis earth and an earth wire going back to the flasher unit's output.
These earth wires appear to be joined to the bulb contact wire?

This is a direct short, so can't be correct?

Do you have a link to the flasher unit?

The positive and nehative wires from the unit I have connected to the 2 wires leading to the bulb, with the diode on positive. I don't know where the negative of each bulb is connected to on the vehicle.

Here are the specifications of the unit.

Car Truck 12V Vehicle Flashing Strobe Flash Warning Emergency box unit

Strobe Pattern A - Alternating Fast Strobe
Strobe Pattern B - Alternating Single Strobe
Strobe Pattern C - Simultaneous Strobe

• 3 flashing modes:
• A: Light panels Left, flash rapidly for 8 times, followed by light panels Right flashing rapidly for 8 times. Repeats continuously.
• B: Light panels Left flash once, followed by light panels Right flashing once. Repeats continuously.
• C: All (Left and Right) light panels flash once simultaneously with a brief pause between each flash. Repeats continuously.
• The control box controls the flashing mode.
• Car emergency strobe flashing lights
• 3 flashing modes
• Low energy, Super bright, long lasting, waterproof
• Easy to control on/off switch
• Easy Installation, can be mounted on many locations.
• Great for night driving and emergency situations (such as breakdown, accidents, etc.)
• Control box size: 7.5cm x 4.8cm x 2.5cm
• Voltage: DC 12V

 

[Alec_t]

The positive and nehative wires from the unit I have connected to the 2 wires leading to the bulb

Are you sure that's the correct method? That could be the cause of failure. A single-filament bulb generally needs only one supply wire and uses the vehicle chassis as the return conductor (ground). Two supply wires would be appropriate for a twin-filament bulb.
Post a sharp well-lit picture of the back of the unit, with any terminal markings and wiring instructions easily readable.

 

[Dietmar]

Are you sure that's the correct method? That could be the cause of failure. A single-filament bulb generally needs only one supply wire and uses the vehicle chassis as the return conductor (ground). Two supply wires would be appropriate for a twin-filament bulb.
Post a sharp well-lit picture of the back of the unit, with any terminal markings and wiring instructions easily readable.

Thanks to all that replied so far. It is indeed a single filament bulb with only one positive wire and the other tested negative. I have found my problem. I usually use a red and black wire but could only get two brown wires with a white line on one. On one bulb a switched the pos. and neg. around. I have replaced a diode and resistor on the unit and the power light turns on. Will test it over the weekend and if I have any problems I will post it on this forum.
Thanks Alec_t