Down under, an idiot and a 400F

[neevo]

Actually PJ, on further investigation I'm not sure my diode is going to work.
Apparently the amperage rating is based on the downstream current max. With a 60w main beam I will get the diode in no time.

I need to either find a larger diode (6-10a), or maybe downgrade the headlight.

 

[crazypj]

try a resistor in the lead to gauge

 

[neevo]

Another thought PJ. What if I ran 2 x 3A Diodes in parallel. Would they share the load equally?

 

[crazypj]

I don't know for sure but I don't think so
Your getting outside of motorcycle electrical systems and into electronics
I think you would need a balance circuit to share the load?

 

[ronnie]

Do you think your bulb could be bad? I don't think it should be leaking any voltage back anywhere..

 

[neevo]

I can grab another one and check but I think the problem is that both beams share a common ground. The high beam circuit is closed when on low beam however the led in the gauge allows it to draw current through to the negative in the gauge, acting like a low volume earth feed. Thinking diode is still the best solution.

 

[neevo]

I don't know for sure but I don't think so
Your getting outside of motorcycle electrical systems and into electronics
I think you would need a balance circuit to share the load?

You're right, seems like its not recommended. 6a diode is the fix I think.

 

[ronnie]

Are you sure you aren't getting a leak somewhere else on the bike and its just going through the ground? Stray voltage in other words. I'm not saying thats it but its a possiblity. Happens all the time on boats with 12v systems that were wired with shoddy work.

 

[neevo]

Are you sure you aren't getting a leak somewhere else on the bike and its just going through the ground? Stray voltage in other words. I'm not saying thats it but its a possiblity. Happens all the time on boats with 12v systems that were wired with shoddy work.

This is the problem as I see it. Common ground on headlight bulb. When relay selects low beam (green) the LED in the gauge takes a small amount of the power as it has its own ground. Could be wrong though.

 

[Tim]

Yup. That looks like something.

 

[crazypj]

I fitted an LED high beam indicator on my 360, it lights on high beam and also when lights are off as I put switch into ground lead so it is the only ground circuit
It doesn't light up on low beam
You don't have bulb connected as shown in diagram?
the left terminal (vertical) is ground, top is (horizontal) high, right low (vertical) looking from back of bulb

 

[teazer]

That doesn't make sense. In your diagram, only one beam is connected to power. The other is grounded, but no power and no other connection. To light up, there has to be another path to power or to ground. Is the Acewell just a high beam light? and is it only connected to high beam from the light or the dip switch?

If tit's a main beam light and it's glowing slightly on low beam, there is some sort of leakage or possibly inductance depending on how that idiot light is connected. Try changing the connection to say the switch if it's currently at the bulb.

 

[crazypj]

I couldn't be bothered to draw a diagram, upload to photobucket then post here.
I think Ed has wired bulb so both filaments come on with high beam

 

[neevo]

Acewell has a high beam indicator only. Comes on slightly when low beam is on and lights strong when high beam is on.

Red/green feeds are switched via a 5 pin relay so only one is live at a time.

I will relook at how I wired up the bulb, here's how I've got it done at the moment:

 

[neevo]

Yup. That looks like something.

I am also aware that my diagram seems to have accidentally turned out looking like a robot WANG!

I can promise it was my filthy subconscious and not deliberate.

 

[neevo]

Bought this 3a automotive diode. I will wire it into the headlight high beam wire to stop back current when the low beam is active.

I think 3a should be fine, the low beam is about 3a when live but I assume most of that current is going down the -ve, with just a small amount bleeding into the gauge to illuminate the main beam led.

Result! Reached out to the eBay seller I bought the 3A from to see if they could find a 6A. They can, they have and it should be up for sale in a few days

Uses the same attachment too, so I'm going to wire the 3A in to check the function on low beam and if all is well swap it out for the 6A and check high beam too

 

[neevo]

Popped over to see my bud Darren at DNA Customs on Thursday, to introduce him to the beast and also get some parts made. Funny how getting the bike out of the shed and on the back of a trailer makes it look totally different, I'm starting to really like the look and the things that annoy me disappear out in the open air.

So the plan for Darren is an updated ignition button lower mount. An expensive exercise as its made out of a solid slab of Alu however I wanted it extended so I could also mount the Acewell gauge to it. He's also making some caliper spacers for the right side to get the disc properly centered (without stacking washers) and also the top hat spacers for the upper and lower shock mounts.

For this weekends plans I'm looking to get the swingarm finished off, cutting the middle upright supports, tacking them in place, checking sprockets and chain clearance, then welding the mother fooker up!

Then I'll wire in my 3A diode into the headlight main feed, clench my arse cheeks and see if it cures my main beam gauge issue

 

[neevo]

A day of grinding metal and welding. Managed to finish off the swingarm brace, my welds aren't the neatest looking things in the world but I might run over them once more to get them as close as possible.

Only things left to do are some minor tidying up at the shock lower mount and the far ends where I need to plug the tube where it meets the swingarm as they are currently open.

Piccies:

 

[stroker crazy]

Looks great neevo!

Hope to see your bike in the metal when you get it finished - are you a member of Sydney Cafe Racers?

Crazy

 

[neevo]

Hope to see your bike in the metal when you get it finished - are you a member of Sydney Cafe Racers?

Crazy

That I am Crazy. A buddy of mine put me onto Cafes when I was originally looking for a bike and he was also a member of SCR.

Spend most of my time on DTT and SCR (Ed Neeves is my Facebook name). Was hoping to get the bike ready for the October DGR but not sure that's going to be realistic as I've still got loads to do

Will aim to be out on SCR rides from Dec at the latest (I hope).