Headlight modulator

[PhredValk]

What are your suggestions for headlight modulators for an Interstate? I'd like to add this safety feature, but am confused by all the info on Google.
Fred.

[Grandpot]

I have been using the unit from Kisan for the past 40,000 miles and it has worked perfectly.  Easy installation.  Here is the link to the unit that fits an I/S.

http://kisantech.com/mag/index.php/pathblazer/p115w-d.html

[Flrider]

I have been using the unit from Kisan for the past 40,000 miles and it has worked perfectly.  Easy installation.  Here is the link to the unit that fits an I/S.

http://kisantech.com/mag/index.php/pathblazer/p115w-d.html

That looks good
Any issues with the life of the bulbs?

[sandy]

I have Kisans on my Wing high beams. No bulb problems at all.

[iliveforcurves]

+1 on the Kisan.  I have one on my Standard and one on my Ninja 250 and they both work great.   

[Patrick]

I don't want to high-jack this, but, has anyone modulated the low beam ?  Reason I ask is that I've been thinking about adding one [ been thinking about it for a decade or so, I'm kinda slow I guess] and thinking I want it on the low beam.

[BobB]

Patrick, I'm not sure why you would opt to have the low beam modulate.  I have been using a Kisan for six years, it has an ambient light sensor that disables the flashing at night. Modulating the high beam in the day has has no negative impact on drivers and the flashing can simply be stopped by switching to the low beams.  To me, this makes sense.

[Grandpot]

Flrider:

I've only had one bulb go out in 40K miles and that was a low beam.  During the day I always use the modulator and that is on the high beam.

[Paxton]

I'd like to see the Kisan for my Standard. Any recommended links? ???

[PhredValk]

Thanks for the info, guys.
Happy New Year,
Fred.

[gordonv]

I don't want to high-jack this, but, has anyone modulated the low beam ?  Reason I ask is that I've been thinking about adding one [ been thinking about it for a decade or so, I'm kinda slow I guess] and thinking I want it on the low beam.

Actually, you can NOT legally do that. The specifics of a head light modulator is for the high beam to drop a % of it's light (I recall reading something like 70%).

If you are interested, I'm sure I could find the actual regulations for you to read, but the answer is still no.

[Patrick]

Really ? OK, I'll check again. It just made more sense to me to do it to the low beam and I thought I read where some other factory authorized modulators [ not Honda] were connected to the low beam.
My reasoning is that a number of times I've seen folks approached from the rear pull over probably thinking the approaching bike was an emergency vehicle, so I thought a lower wattage may be more appropriate.
But, I've not used one or installed one and I see that Kisan are connected to the high beam. Must be a reason for it.
I probably won't install one then.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

My modulator works both hi and low beams which ever one is selected. It also turns it self off when it starts getting dark. plug and play installition. I got it from Custom Dynamics. I have an interstate

[Patrick]

I want to thank Mr Bubbles for this info. I'll probably be getting a Custom Dynamics unit. I wonder how much can fit into that bucket with the relay mod and all. I guess I'll find out.



Headlight Modulator Federal Law

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 plus-or-minus 40 cycles per minute.

(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70 percent of each cycle.

(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall not be less than 17 percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

(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 emitted by a tungsten filament light operating at 3000 degrees Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. This light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all of the provisions of the standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.

(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.

S7.9.4.2

(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally, each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.

(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.

[Ricky-D]

My feeling is this.

Installing a modulator on the low beam in order to be seen as "less intrusive" is self defeating.

Since all the reasons for the modulator is to be SEEN, which is the same reason the majority

of riders verbalize for the installation of more lights on the front of the bike.

Modulating headlights are attention grabbers.

That's for sure.

***

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Plug and play. You just unplug the headlight plug and plug unit into that plug. the modulator then plugs into headlight and one ground wire and it's done. Modulator can be mounted under triple tree or somewhere else out of sight.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Also I run mine mostly on low beam. only flash to high if needed. It also can be turned off by flashing from one beam to the other and back  real fast.

[Paxton]

Is this the CUSTOM DYNAMICS UNIT that you folks are using?  ???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Signal-Dynamics-Diamond-Star-Headlight-Modulator-Dual-H-7-Japanese-Harness-/300930345274?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4610d8a93a&vxp=mtr

[MarkT]

15 years ago I bought Kisan's circuit board modulator, has to be wired in but it handles high watts up to 150.  I'm still using it to modulate my 130/90 headlight.  Doesn't look like it's in their catalog now.

[gordonv]

One other point.

My modulator has a LED type light sensor. Since it doesn't work to well at dusk and dawn, or sometimes ridding in the shade of tress or even the mountains, I have a little rubber "cap" which I took off of a screw (so it wasn't sharp and cut/stab someone), and place over top the photo cell, so I can operate my high beam during the day without it modulating.

Nothing worse than a modulator turning on/off while driving down to the road to confuse other drivers.

[PhredValk]

Paxton, same modulator, H4 bulb harness;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-ST1100-ST1300-SDC-Signal-Dynamics-Headlight-Module-W-Dual-H4-Harness-/290986219142
it's what I ordered for the IS.
Fred.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

This is the one I have on my interstate. http://www.customdynamics.com/signal_dynamics_diamond_star_headlight_modulator.htm

[hoosier jaybird]

phredvalk, I have a signal dynamics headlight modulator on my interstate. You can make either the high beam or low beam pulsate , however some of my fellow riders say they cannot see my low beams pulsate so I modulate the high beams. True people flash their lights at me and sometimes pull over because they think I am on an emergency run but that means they indeed see me so I wave and give them the thumbs up. One thing about the signal dynamics unit is you can stop the pulsating in the day time by toggling the dimmer switch but then you are not sure if it pulsating or not while sitting on the seat. I installed two little led lights on the fairing, one for the high and low beams each. I can monitor the pulsations from the seat. Being seen is critical. My brother has a Kisan on his wing and likes it. Jaybird.