95 replies to this topic

[Favs]

Update on Fixitsan's excellent DRL controller.....

 

All functions working perfectly day & night

 

I'm convinced they are a great help when filtering (I've done a lot lately) as more folk seem aware & make some space.

 

I'm a bit more visible to other road users day & night (I see drivers double take), although the cognitively impaired still see a challenge.

 

 

Thanks again

[fixitsan]

Thanks Al.

 

If anyone else is interested they can drop me a PM to that effect, if there's enough interest I'll look to making up a small batch.

[dmmsta]

Been a while...

 

Loving you controller, and those mirror mount DRL's are pretty potent.

Re the ebay unit you reviewed below - this is what my other DRL's have in the box.

The lamp units say they are rated 8-24v on the box.  Do you think they'll behave if connected to your controller?  You mentioned that if they didn't have the right spec they wouldn't dim properly I think.

 

Thanks again for the hard work

 

 

Today's review....

https://www.ebay.co....872.m2749.l2649

 

Arrived within one week, not bad going.

 

The functions work as expected. The DRL's will switch off/on with the indicator on the same side when it is activated.

The horn line flashes the DRL's when it's pulled high, which is a shame because the TDM is switched on the low side meaning that it won't work without an additional component to switch it in opposition, such as a relay.

The high/low line dims the DRL's to 50% when it is pulled high. A simple LDR/resistor bridge doesn't work in this application, A simple handlebar switch to set them high/low will. (I might look at making an automatic high/low switch later which incorporates the horn control). Ideally a twighlight switch....EG  https://www.ebay.co....RoAAOSw0exaOgm3

 

The unit appears to be waterproof and the wiring is good quality.

 

The downside is that it is limiting the output voltage to 12V, without the unit to control it the voltage supplied to the DRLs can be full system voltage of 14V which makes for brighter DRL's, if they are the basic LED type with no internal controller. I tested the unit with both types of DRL and they both work fine

 

Of the units I've looked at this one is probably the most robust, most suited to the application. If it is wired directly to the battery (using the fused harness provided) and switched using the accessory line, the DRL's stay on for 20 seconds after the bike has been turned off, long enough to see your way out of a dark garage

[fixitsan]

Do you mean the dimming unit I made working with the black box off ebay ?  You won't know unless you try...it's difficult to say unfortunately

 

I made a later chip which is designed to work with the ebay box.

[dmmsta]

Do you mean the dimming unit I made working with the black box off ebay ?  You won't know unless you try...it's difficult to say unfortunately

 

I made a later chip which is designed to work with the ebay box.

 

No prob's.
Will do some testing - I think I have v1 of FIS-DRL Controller.

The lamps have a bespoke plug so didn't want to cut that off unless had to - might be able to test without cutting it hopefully.

[fixitsan]

 

No prob's.
Will do some testing - I think I have v1 of FIS-DRL Controller.

The lamps have a bespoke plug so didn't want to cut that off unless had to - might be able to test without cutting it hopefully.

 

 

See how it goes.

 

I've just acquired a KTM 620 Duke and think I'm keeping it for a while so I've ordered more LED handguards....which will require me to assemble another controller, so i could make a few at once if needed

[dmmsta]

 

 

See how it goes.

 

I've just acquired a KTM 620 Duke and think I'm keeping it for a while so I've ordered more LED handguards....which will require me to assemble another controller, so i could make a few at once if needed

Hmm...

You might get a PM with a controller wish list...not sure how many I/O ports you get with the chips, so I may be unrealistic...but I'm sure you've already got ideas etc...

[fixitsan]

Hmm...

You might get a PM with a controller wish list...not sure how many I/O ports you get with the chips, so I may be unrealistic...but I'm sure you've already got ideas etc...

 

 

All suggestions welcome, and if it's in the scope of operation of the units i buy off ebay and modify, then I'll try to include it

[Coxylaad]

Hows this going? is there a full feature list?

[fixitsan]

Hows this going? is there a full feature list?

 

 

I fitted a kit to the KTM, and couldn't find any blank micros to program so fitted the eBay bought unit and did away with automatic brightness control

 

The micro only adds light sensitivity, on the KTM I just flick a switch, to be honest The automatic dimming seems all but pointless in pursuing now. I suppose you could gut this and hide it somewhere if you want automatic light dimming https://www.ebay.co....3.c100505.m3226

 

 

 

I use this ebay unit with a three way switch - dimmed, bright, flashing 

https://www.ebay.co....3.c100505.m3226

 

 

This switch on my KTM... the left switch controls the above DRL controller, the right switch turns my DVR camera on/off (or it will do when the camera arrives)

https://www.ebay.co....872.m2749.l2649

 

 

 

individual DRL's flash when the appropriate side turn indicator flashes

Edited by fixitsan, 10 November 2018 - 07:47 pm.

[Coxylaad]

ah right, sorry I didnt read the whole thread properly. 

 

So I guess the problem with the later tdms where the headlight is on permanently is that the DRLs will always be running at half power, hence the switch?

[fixitsan]

ah right, sorry I didnt read the whole thread properly. 

 

So I guess the problem with the later tdms where the headlight is on permanently is that the DRLs will always be running at half power, hence the switch?

 

Exactly that.

 

To switch between the modes I fed 12V via a 10Ohm resistor to the centre (common) of a 3 way switch, the wire for dimming goes to position 1 and the position for flashing goes to position 3. In position 2 (middle position) nothing is connected so the lights are at full brightness....position 1 to dim them.

[Coxylaad]

without me having to re read everything, wheres the feed for the flashing DRLs coming from?

[fixitsan]

without me having to re read everything, wheres the feed for the flashing DRLs coming from?

 

 

It's all built in to the controller. If you put 12V on the white wire they dim to 50%, if you put 12V to the green wire the DRL's flash rapidly. The indicator function (of the DRL's) doesn't work when they're in rapid flashing mode. The recommended way to install them is to connect the green (flashing) wire to the horn switch, so when you hit the horn the DRL's flash.

 

There's also red and black, for wiring direct to the battery which then lets you use the blue wire to connect to 12V switch ACC line..... this gives you the 'follow me' lights function - once you've turned everything off the DRL's stay lit for you for 20 seconds to give you time to escape the garage. But if you like you can forget the blue wire, power the unit from the siwtched 12V on the red wire and then you don't have the follow me function, but you don't have the unit permanently connected to the battery, potentially slowly draining it

Edited by fixitsan, 11 November 2018 - 09:07 pm.

[Coxylaad]

sounds decent. I have ordered one. I am currently working out where to place my DRLs.

 

I bought a set of these from china, they are bright.

https://www.ebay.co....353.m1438.l2649

[fixitsan]

sounds decent. I have ordered one. I am currently working out where to place my DRLs.

 

I bought a set of these from china, they are bright.

https://www.ebay.co....353.m1438.l2649

 

 

They look good.