Help With SignalMinder

[Harv]

I just installed the signal minder SM3 and it works great to cancel my turn signals when I forget. You are supposed to be able to use quick connect wires in addition to the plug and it converts your turn signals to running lights and hazard lights, which would be very cool. I bought mine used and it did not have the quick connect wires or instructions. I'm sure something similiar could be rigged up. I understand that you clamp these wires into your right and left turn signal and brake wires using the quick clamp feature. My question is where and how do you plug these wires into the unit itself? The online instructions are pure garbage!


http://kisantech.com/mag/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/8d7292caf300b1b64dbe4122f8b1c3be/s/m/sm-3-a.jpg

[Hook#3287]

Harv, I installed one of those last fall and did the hook ups for the "Extra" options they claimed.  I could not get the extra crap to work at all.  I contacted Kisan several times and spoke with many people and am still waiting for a "Engineer" to call me back with a solution.

That was around September.

It works for the signal cancellation, but that's it.

The directions provided are as much good as the web ones.

[72cutlassdude]

Harv,
Try this link. http://kisantech.com/mag/Images/manuals/SM.pdf

This is the manual for the Signal Minders. I have the same one on my IS with all the functions hooked up and love it. The nice thing is I just installed new Super Bright LED turn signal and tail light bulbs and the SM3 can handle them, I highly recommend the LED's.

Good Luck.

[Hook#3287]

Harv,
Try this link. http://kisantech.com/mag/Images/manuals/SM.pdf

This is the manual for the Signal Minders. I have the same one on my IS with all the functions hooked up and love it. The nice thing is I just installed new Super Bright LED turn signal and tail light bulbs and the SM3 can handle them, I highly recommend the LED's.

Good Luck.

72 cutlassdude, did you modify anything to get it to work?  Kisan told me a had to install a LED blinker dash light.  I soft wired one and it would work with the Signalminder but still the optional stuff would not work.  I tried the springs and the foam in the blinker switch assembly, but no go.

I spent hours messing with it and hours on the phone with them.  They actually sent me another SM-3 unit and that didn't do it.

I gave up on it and just use the cancellation mode.

[72cutlassdude]

Hook,

Wiring wise I did not modify anything, mine is a IS and the only draw back is both of my dash TS indicators stay on very dim which doesn't bother me. I have the 4 way flashers, run/turn/brake on the rear turn signals with the flash before they go solid on brake. If you have a STD I believe you need a diode on the turn signal light on headlight bucket. The turn signal switch took a little trial and error with the springs and ended up cutting one coil off each spring to get the switch working correctly. The foam pads are useless.

[Hook#3287]

Hook,

Wiring wise I did not modify anything, mine is a IS and the only draw back is both of my dash TS indicators stay on very dim which doesn't bother me. I have the 4 way flashers, run/turn/brake on the rear turn signals with the flash before they go solid on brake. If you have a STD I believe you need a diode on the turn signal light on headlight bucket. The turn signal switch took a little trial and error with the springs and ended up cutting one coil off each spring to get the switch working correctly. The foam pads are useless.

Thanks for the reply and the info.  Maybe when I gain some patience for it, I'll give it another go. 

[Harv]

I appreciate all the input. I understand that you clamp these wires into your right and left turn signal and brake wires using the quick clamp feature. My question is where and how do you plug these wires I don't have into the unit itself? I don't have the wires that are supposed to come with it. Are they supposed to plug into the unit somewhere? I mean they have to come out of that unit somewhere ... don't they???


http://kisantech.com/mag/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/8d7292caf300b1b64dbe4122f8b1c3be/s/m/sm-3-a.jpg

[Harv]

Ok, I think I know where they plug into the unit. I was looking online and it appears there are ports on the other end of the unit. As I recall mine has something (fancy tape maybe) covering those ports (I hope) so I didn't see them. I'll look at it tomorrow. Now the problem is can I buy those wires and plugs somewhere? I sent an email to Kisan and asked if they sell them. I know some of you guys could make up your own set of wires and plugs and quick connectors but I am electrical impaired. Maybe Fuzzy can figure something out for me if I can't buy them from Kisan. I bet you all wondered what the hell I was talking about! LOL      

[indybobm]

The plug looks like a small telephone modular connector. There are three wires that go over to the wiring bundle behind the right side cover. This is where wire harness from the rear lights plugs into the main bundle. The wires you are looking for are Orange (left turn signal), Blue (right turn signal) and Green with yellow stripe (brake signal). The clamp-on quick connectors are not very good, but is the easiest way to attach the wires. If there is a bad connection where the wires from the SM3 connect, you will have problems with the turn signals not flashing.
One of the problems you can have is where the new modular harness plugs into the SM-3. The orientation of the SM-3 when installed puts this connection on top of the SM-3 where dirt and water can get in.

[Harv]

Kisan got back to me today:


Date:   2015-03-12 11:04:40
Name:   Brandon
Printer friendly version
Message:

Steven,

Unfortunately, we don't make that style of signalMinder anymore so that wiring harness is no longer available.

Sincerely,

Kisan Tech Support
Kisan Electronics
http://www.kisantech.com
 
Oh well, it does work as a turn signal canceller ... and I do need that. Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

Harv     

[RonW]

On a similar wiring, I have some Posi-Twists on order to replace the Scotch locks that tap into the turn signal wires. The Scotch locks seems to snip in half any wire that's 16g or less. The Posi-Twists are a more convenient version of the typical wire nuts. Only disadvantage is that the wire that's tapped into has to have enough slack to provide for the stripped section that gets pig tailed.

[Harv]

Thanks RONW I will get some of those! Now to find the right connectors for the signal minder unit.

[RonW]

Might want to try Posi-Taps. They're 1⅛-inch to 1½-inch long, so space might be an issue. Definitely simpler, though.




But unlike the Posi Twists, you don't have to snip the wire that's tapped into. Another issue with Posi Twists is that if the tapped wire doesn't have enough slack, you have to solder an extension wire to compensate for the portion of the wire that gets twisted into the pig tail.

The problem that I've had with soldering together 16g or less wire is that the edge where the molten solder ends on the strands, that point remains a stress point even with shrink tubing. Thin gauge wires have really skinny individual strands so that point is even more fragile. Instead of soldering I'm thinking of using a Posi Lock (pic below) to attach the extension wire (second pic).







Another option that I'm thinkin about is jamming the tap wire into one end of a Posi Lock coupling (below) which will eliminate the need for an extension wire. We'll see if two wires can fit into the end piece.

[indybobm]

I believe this is what you need to hook up your SM-3 to provide rear running lights. Cable kit SM-4 for $3.95 plus shipping.

http://kisantech.com/mag/index.php/signalminder/sn-4.html

I just ordered one because i want to change the way it ties into the wiring behind right cover.
They seem to have them in stock, not sure why the tech said it was discontinued.

They also have a SM-4D that has diodes for LED lights.