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Arduino Motorcycle Operating System

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7.1K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  66Sprint  
#1 ·
Hello all..

One of the mods I am doing on my 1975 CB250G project is upgrading all the electrical system and controls. I wanted to simply the turn, horn, and light switches into a single module to have less wires and have a clean look. I saw that motogadget was selling a system that had the bells and whistles I needed, but it was too expensive and I thought hey I could make one my self for much less using an Arduino microprocessor and machining my own control ring. After a few days, of programming I got it to work. I still have the circuit at the breadboard stage, but I am working on the PCB, final wiring, and housing currently.

Features:
  • The control module has 3 buttons: HI/LOW, LEFT/RIGHT, HORN.
  • When you press the turn botton once = LEFT, 2 press = RIGHT, 3 press = OFF
  • Low beam is by default, Hi beam one button press.
  • Horn is a direct 12v connection, so no interface is needed to the controller.
  • Used solid state relay to not have the annoying clicking sounds.
  • When the turn signal light is on for more than 3 minutes, it turns off automatically.
  • If you hold the turn light button for more than 2 second it also turns off.

I plan to add a pressure transducer to the fuel line to have a fuel level reading next.
Will keep you posted as I go along and finally integrate it.

303895
 
#2 ·
I like the creativity. I think the M-unit is too expensive and basically reinventing the wheel, but when you make it yourself and design the functionality that changes things. If I could suggest a bit shorter time for the turn signal timeout... think about how far you could ride within 3 minutes, a lot of people behind you would still be misled by your turn light - 3 minutes is a long time when riding. Also, the relay clicking sound is annoying...? Can you even hear them when the engine is running and you're riding along with other ambient noise? :unsure:
 
#3 ·
Ancientdad.. thx for your feedback. The 3 minutes timeout was derived from the average traffic signal intersection wait of 2 minutes. I added another minute for some padding. I prefer solid state relays either way since they are not mechanical, no clicking, and do not create voltage spikes. I hope in a few weeks to get back to this project and finish the PCB, wiring, and having it mounted on the CB. I will make a short video how it all works. I have some other unique parts I made for my CB project that I will post when I get some time too.
 
#4 ·
DiZzy, I appreciate your creativity, and one-off, custom fabrications are great!......HOWEVER, the inherent simplicity and accessibility for diagnosing and remedying any problems was one of the primary factors that drew me to motorcycles.....
That said, I can control the headlight high/low, the turn signals, and the horn with three switches and six wires WITHOUT the added cost or complexity of the relays and/or microprocessor, and can fix them "in the middle of the night , in the middle of nowhere" without access to a computer to find the problem, so EXACTLY HOW is this (or an M-unit) an improvement???... I just don't understand your rationale..........Please clarify this for me......I do understand it as an exercise in and for brain functionality and inventiveness, but am only concerned with how you think it improves the bike.....