Why not contact your local police authority and put in a request for a flashing headlight system from a wrecked police car? How many crashes or high speed chases do they get involved in? You are a volunteer firefighter, you have these resources available to you.

 

Hi,

What, no sirens?

I dont think this should be too hard to build. As someone said, a 555 and
driver and relays, or a 555 and flip flop and two MOSFETs. Should be able
to get this up and running in less than a day.
If you want real fancy patters, use a microcontroller instead of 555.

 

Bill is right on the DIY lightbar. Cheaper just to by one. (but tones of fun to make your own) Been there and done that.

If you want a multi pattern headlamp flasher, your best option would be to use a micro-controller to control the patterns and use relays to handle the switching of the actual headlights. A 555 timer would be an easy route but would only give you a steady left/right wig-wag. Adding a 4017 light RODALCO said will give you a few more options, but not near what a micro can do.

I always say this when people ask about warning light circuits - just fair warning to the OP and anyone that sees this in the future.

A. DO NOT USE THEM TO IMPERSONATE AN EMERGENCY VEHICAL!

B. Using any flashing lights while on a public road is against the law for the most part in the USA. Even if your not trying to impersonate a cop, driving with flashing headlights in illegal.

C. If you are in-experianced in electronics and do not select the proper components, there is a pretty good chance you circuit will fail in short order. Make sure you fuse everything and make sure the headlights will still operate properly with the factory switch. I'm not saying not to try it and learn, just don't put too much faith in it being as reliable as a factory built flasher, or install it in such a fasion that could cause headlight failure at night o the way to a call.

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I'd have to agree with this. I've never driven code 3 in anything, but I know the first thing I usually notice when I see an emergency vehical running code 3 on the road is the wig wag headlights. From a distance on the highway during the day all you can see is the headlights flashing until your pretty close.

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