Bob Could Stop On A Dime

By Design News Staff -- Design News, October 25, 2004

Unfortuneately, others could not. Tired of rear-end repairs, Bob designed an automatic flasher that uses a pressure sensor in the brake line to measure the pressure applied to the brake pedal. The sensor output controls the rate of a 555 multivibrator chip, which in turn drives a high-power MOSFET in series with the brake lights. The harder Bob brakes, the faster his brake lights flash, and hopefully the harder the people behind him brake.

Brake Warning System Parts List
Amt	Part Description	Allied Part #
2	NE555 Timer	248-0294
1	Capacitor .001 µF	852-1145
1	Capacitor 10 µF	852-5683
1	Capacitor 1 µF	852-5677
2	Resistors 221 KÙ	296-0024
3	Resistors 100 KÙ	296-0011
1	Resistor 100 Ù	296-0007
1	Resistor 332 Ù	206-0031
1	Transistor NPN	431-0408
1	Transistor IRF5210	273-0279
1	Toggle switch	642-1148
1	Red LED	749-0700
Additional parts required: transport vehicle with brake lights

For Bob Walter's complete instructions on how to build a brake warning system, go to http://www.designnews.com/contents/pdf/gadget102504.pdf.

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