Hotronics' LS6 is a universal 12-volt taillight sequencer, able to connect to all existing single-bulb wiring systems and mountable in the trunk rather than under the dash. If the unit is kept in a dry location (no leaking trunk seals or rear windows!), the LS6 will provide one of two functions in different situations: Pressure applied to the brake pedal without the signals turned on will sequence the taillight only once then remain on until you lift off the pedal; with right or left turn signal activated, that taillight will sequence repeatedly (at the desired speed of the owner thanks to an integrated adjuster or optional adjustable--PG-3--flasher), even when the brake is applied.
The installation of the LS6 system is fairly straightforward, especially if you're not afraid to do a little cutting and crimping with your car's wiring. First, you'll want to gain access to the taillight wiring loom. Separate the outer bulbs, but leave the centers attached to the main feed. The LS6 will have a left and right input wire for each side that also will be connected to the first bulb in the series. Each of these inputs will trigger the unit and turn on the sequencer for that particular side. Coming from the sequencer module will be wires connecting to the remaining bulbs for each side (simply follow the wiring chart provided).
Whenever your directional lights are turned on, the first bulb will light and turn on the input of the LS6 and begin the sequence with the center and outer bulbs. Each light will come on in series and stay on until the last bulb lights. The factory flasher turns off and then back on, repeating the cycle.
The design of the Hotronics unit has taken the extra bulb loads off of the column and brake switch contacts so they don't overload or melt the switch contacts (like early OE designs did). So, the LS6 will have a hot wire that'll need to be fused and run to a separate hot feed at the fuse box, battery, or the power lead to the brake switch at the fuse box. This will bring power to the remaining bulbs, so only the single inside bulb will run current through the signal switch contacts, keeping them cool and prolonging the life of the column and the brake switches. The last wire will be a ground, connected to a clean, body-grounding source.
Once you've got everything installed, you should test and adjust. First, start the engine and activate the turn signal. If your column has emergency four-way flashers, they can be activated and both adjustments can be done at once (and timed to match). If not, just use the signal lever. Do this with the engine running so the voltage stays up to normal driving levels. (Never use a battery charger for testing the LS6--always connect chargers to a battery first to bring voltage levels up to carry the lighting loads if the engine's charging system is not used. Battery chargers are not filtered DC sources and give off an AC sine wave that damages or gives erratic operation to all electronics and semi-conductors.) Hotronics provides a built-in adjustment for each side, which can be accessed through holes in the end of the LS6 box for the sequencer speed, relative to the flash rate of the flasher in the fuse panel. While the signal is on, use a small screwdriver and begin to slowly and gently turn the adjustment screw until each light comes on, making the last light come on only momentarily. The flasher will then turn off and back on, starting the sequence all over. Follow the same steps for the opposite side.
Hotronics has also designed a special adjustable electronic flasher, the PG-3 (sold separately), which is used to slow down the flash rate so that the LS6 can be slowed down even further. The PG-3 is solid-state, replacing the standard 552 thermal flashers found in all early domestic cars. Its trim adjustment allows you to fine-tune the sequencing speed even more. While the 552s will work just fine, they are set at a fixed flash rate of 80-90 pulses per minute, whereas the PG-3 adjusts from 40-70 pulses per minute, allowing you to slow the sequence down for a more eye-catching visual show! Each time an adjustment is made to the flasher, the LS6 can also be readjusted for the perfect sequencing rate. (As mentioned earlier, if your column has in internal emergency flasher, you will now have two flashers--if you want the emergency lights to flash at the same rate, you will need a second PG-3 flasher.)
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 For those easily intimidated...  For those easily intimidated by all things electronic, don't be afraid--the Hotronics LS6 Taillight Sequencer kit with accompanying PG-3 adjustable electronic flasher is probably the simplest electrical component you could ever install in your car! |
 Our patient, a '67 Lincoln...  Our patient, a '67 Lincoln Continental, was a willing participant, but not the easiest to work with. As you could imagine, most cars produced in the late '60s were a bit on the convoluted side, if you know what I mean, especially with all the power accessories and such that a car like a behemoth Lincoln has! |
 To gain access to the wiring...  To gain access to the wiring we needed, the upper dash grille had to be dropped down. |
 Since we were using the optional...  Since we were using the optional PG-3 flasher, the stock flasher was located. Before swapping it out with the adjustable one, we had to determine the inputs (in, out, and ground--the side-to-side is determined by the column's wiring). |
 While use of the Hotronics...  While use of the Hotronics flasher is not mandatory, it does broaden the adjustability of your sequential taillights more than if you just used the sequencer box itself. |
 Now, onto the LS6 installation....  Now, onto the LS6 installation. Regardless of where you decide to mount the box itself in the trunk, you'll need to gain access to the taillight's wiring loom. |
 In our case, simply removing...  In our case, simply removing the rear trunk upholstery panel revealed the wires we were after. Finding the power lead with a test light was easy, but... |
 ...The bumper had to be dropped...  ...The bumper had to be dropped in order to trace each wire to its respective bulb socket. |
 Following the wiring diagram...  Following the wiring diagram provided with the kit, the LS6 was hooked up to each taillight, with the wires first being fed through the rubber body grommet with a "custom-made" tool (a piece of tubing!). |
 The wires were then crimped...  The wires were then crimped and heat-shrinked near the sockets.The wires were then crimped and heat-shrinked near the sockets. |
 All wired up properly and...  All wired up properly and affixed with the provided heavy-duty, two-sided tape, your sequencer unit should look something like this. The power lead, shown on the trunk floor, was fused and run along up to the factory loom and to the column. |
 Finally, once you've verified...  Finally, once you've verified that all wires have been connected correctly, you've got sufficient grounds, and your taillights respond appropriately (see text for full rundown), it's time to do a little adjusting. You'll need two people for this--one to tune, one to operate the signals--and adjustments can be made initially from the LS6 box (shown) as well as from the PG-3 flasher, for near infinite adjustment of sequencing times! |
 And if you did your work correctly,...  And if you did your work correctly, you now have a cool sequencing taillight system! |