head light modulator

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Headlight modulators are DOT legal in all 50 states.

Yes, I know that. I guess I should have made it more clear I was responding specifically to this part of RICZ's post:

but I snip off the photocell and install a switch and place it on the left handle bar...... at night. When confronted with a left lane bandit at night, I flick it on and they move over pronto.

The regulation, as you quote above, states:

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its
sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation
shall cease whenever the level of light....

As soon as you cut the photocell off of the modulator it no longer conforms to the rules regulating modulators. That means the modulator is no longer legal. Note that the regulation uses the word "shall". That means it is mandatory, not optional. Why? The sensor is required so that the modulator WILL NOT operate at night. By making the on/off operation dependent solely on a switch you have defeated that restriction. So, again, as soon as you turn your modulator on at night to get a crowding driver to move over, you have violated the regulation.

It's because of these violations of the regulations controlling the operation and configuration of the modulator that I said RICZ had better hope the oncoming driver isn't an LEO. Use it ONLY during daylight and you'll be OK.

BTW, you can add a switch into the photocell wire to turn the modulator off during the daytime. Just leave the photocell in the circuit so it'll turn the modulator off at night and you'll be OK.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

My guess is cops are tolerant of riders trying to save their butts.

Don't count on it. A year ago last fall an Idaho State Trooper gave me a ticket for flashing lights. https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...s-some-learnin-!&highlight=idaho+state+police. The prosecuting attorney had the judge dismiss it. Last fall a local yokel stopped me and asked about it. After some discussion he went on his way. I told the chief about it and he did the research and found out I was correct. I asked him to make sure all his officers were made aware of modulators.

 

[RICZ]

To clarify; I only switch the modulator on briefly at night on urban freeways to shoo a slow poke out of the fast lane. Oncoming LEO would have to go to the next exit and come back on in my direction, so if any have seen me, they opted to pass on it. FYI; Traffic enforcement in Portland is as lax as enforcement on illegals and those concrete campers.

 

[Campkayakers717w]

Let us know how it works. I stopped at my dealer looking for a modulator for my rtl. He said he never put one on a Spyker and was a little worried to attempt it

 

[Deanna777]

It pulses the headlight from full bright (100%) to dim (30%) to garner the attention of cagers.

Thanks for the answer. Deanna

 

[RICZ]

Let us know how it works. I stopped at my dealer looking for a modulator for my rtl. He said he never put one on a Spyker and was a little worried to attempt it

Many modulators are plug and play simple to install. Put it on the low beam.

 

[Deanna777]

Here is a short video for a headlight modulator. This video starts out with a brake modulator that flashes 5 times then goes steady when the brakes are applied. This draws awareness of following drivers that something is happening in front of them. The headlight modulator draws attention to the bike coming at them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQcIGUy4CY

Thanks for the video. Deanna

 

[h0gr1der]

My $.02. I had Diamond Star headlight and Back Off brake light modulators installed on my last bike. They absolutely work, saved my life a few times. I finally taped the sensor on the headlight off as I was embarrassed by people thinking I was an emergency vehicle and pulling off. I think they work so effectively because of the change or movement of the lights, front or rear. In this day of cell phone distracted drivers, some of them see the light change or movement when they're on video induced autopilot. Kind of drills into their subconscious.

Technical guys out there, let's take a swag at these questions;
1. About 8900 miles after installing the modulator I lost my engine ECU. My bike had a halogen headlight, large amperage draw. I always wondered of the cycling of the headlight D/C amperage set up an undesirable A/C flicker in my D/C system, which can be bad for electronics. I did measure for that, and did see an increase of A/C present in the D/C circuit, just not technical enough to know. Though an appropriately sized capacitor would help.
2. Legal implications of turning it off. I had considered adding a switch, but in such a manner as it could only turn the unit off, but not on. This should ease the problem of manual switching of the function. Mount the sensor as prescribed by the manufacturer, and add the switch to one leg of the circuit. This is based on the assumption that the ambient light sensor either sends a voltage reference or closes a circuit (NO circuit). Never did finalize the research on mine though. Procrastination is a terrible thing!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

1. About 8900 miles after installing the modulator I lost my engine ECU. My bike had a halogen headlight, large amperage draw. I always wondered of the cycling of the headlight D/C amperage set up an undesirable A/C flicker in my D/C system, which can be bad for electronics. I did measure for that, and did see an increase of A/C present in the D/C circuit, just not technical enough to know. Though an appropriately sized capacitor would help.

I would say possible, but not likely. I never had a problem on my Goldwing and have never heard of pulsing of the headlight causing damaging AC.

2. Legal implications of turning it off. I had considered adding a switch, but in such a manner as it could only turn the unit off, but not on. This should ease the problem of manual switching of the function. Mount the sensor as prescribed by the manufacturer, and add the switch to one leg of the circuit. This is based on the assumption that the ambient light sensor either sends a voltage reference or closes a circuit (NO circuit). Never did finalize the research on mine though.

Some modulators come with on/off capability to turn them off during daylight. None of them can be turned on in darkness, except if a street light is bright enough to activate it! That has happened to me a few times. The photocell works by closing the sensor circuit like a switch. The sensor circuit must be closed for the modulator to operate. You can add a switch to either leg of the sensor circuit so when you open it the sensor circuit stays open, or broken, and keeps the modulator from operating. That's what I did so I can turn it off when advisable to do so.

 

[Campkayakers717w]

RICZ the dealer was worried about the ecm picking up the modulation and throwing it off, he said the Spyker are too smart. He did look on this forum for guidance but didn't find anything definitive at the time

 

[ozarkryder]

Here is a clip of the Spyderpops LED Bumpskid with the remote control. This setting is my basic daytime running, at night I set the remote to have the LED's steady on and drop the brightness to 25%.

I asked at the police office and they said as it just going bright to dim, not turning on and off, (i.e. not flashing) it is the same as a headlight modulator.