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Posted - Jun 06 2004 : 11:05:54 PM
I've have just purchased a 2000 off-road motorcycle. I want to make it street legal. It needs turn signals among other things. It has a Honda 5.5 H.P. engine which runs an alternator stator which in turn generates 90 watts of 12 volts A.C. at operating speed. It has a headlight & taillight that are always on when the engine is running and a brake light switched from the handle bar. I have down loaded the "motorcycle turn-signal system" schematic from the Commlinx web site. I see the need for a flasher, switch and of course lights. I'm contemplating a battery, do I need it? If I do, I was considering a small solar panel to help keep it charged or would my alternator be strong enough to keep a battery charged by itself? I see a number of LED directional lights on the market that presumably use less power - would you suggest I use LEDs? I see a number of other symbols on the schematic which I'll have to research to understand, but there are a number of (U1) 1/64049's, a couple of 1N4002's a few resisters and a capacitor, etc. Do I really need these to make my turn signals operate? I've contacted the manufacturer and while they make the bike street legal as an option, they will not sell me the parts or assist me in this venture. Too complicated and expensive to add it on now they advised me. I've located some flashlight battery operated turn-signals for bicycles. What's your opinion. I will thank you for your time, ahead of time and continue my research. Thanks!
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Posted - Jun 07 2004 : 8:42:53 PM
SupraGuy - Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure how to post a link to "my" schematic. My mfg. did not put one in it's owner's manual. I guess I could make one. I've ordered a "new and much updated owners manual" from them, we'll see what's in it. The one I mentioned in my request came from www.commlinx.com.au.schematics.htm [schematics] [automative, car, and motorcycle schematics] [motorcycle turn signal system]. I guess he got burned out and too busy for electronics questions and is now routing people like me to Aaron's Forum. I have a schematic of the Honda engine with and without a battery. I also got a motorcycle schematic of a Honda 250 with and without turn signals. Wow! I see a charging unit and possibly a rectifier (?) in my future along with a fuse or two. Thanks for the tip on the LEDs and the flasher (who's the flasher?), that was helpful.
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Posted - Jun 07 2004 : 04:38:59 AM
Actually, there's not much need for complication, here.
You need a switch, which is easily operated. Might I suggest one from a wrecker for a different motorcycle?
Flashers can be easily procured from auto parts stores, and are really simple devices to add in. Basically, you wire your switch to the flasher, and from there to some standard lights.
Note that LED lighting will do funny things with a "standard" flasher, as these are load sensitive. They're intended to blink really fast if one of the light bulbs is burned out as an indication to the driver. Heavy Duty flashers (ironic, isn't it?) work much better for low loads. An electrical service diagram of the signal light circuit for any car or bike would make a good reference. (Ignore any interaction with hazard lights or brake lights.)
A battery would be a good thing. Mostly these are needed for starters, or to keep clocks running, ECU settings for EFI engines and the like. I like to have a source of power available, and if you also require hazard lights, you will need them to operate while the bike is not running. Provided that the alternator generates sufficient current to run the bike, it SHOULD be able to keep the battery charged. The should is dependant on the running voltage. It will need to be rectified to DC for the battery, and this may change the nature of some of the other circuitry... You'll have to be careful of that. Perhaps you could post a link to your schematic, and we could look?
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