Night Train
Member
I think I am on #6, if not let's just pretend I am.
This weeks installment are things that make you go Hmmm?
1. What is the deal with that coil of wire on the ground in the headlight bucket? This coil was there when I started with the company and I questioned it for some time. The only history I could get was that BDM had a problem at one time with headlights popping very prematurely, kinda like Ohmster did in high school. Anyway I was told it was to create an inductor that helped slow down the inrush current (see definition below) and protect the bulb. The problem with this explanation is that the number of coils and the insulation on the wire does not make much of an inductor, at least not enough, if anything it just raises the resistance of the wire my a minuscule amount, maybe helps sych some heat. I and my trusty side kick Ohmster the Great performed some detailed testing and showed no reduction in inrush current with or with out a coil of wire. For the newer bikes the coil has been or is slowly transitioned off the bike. I left the coil on for a while and recommend you do the same because there is always that hint of the unknown and the coil really doesn't hurt anything so why temp fate...remember, if it is not broke don't fix it.
2. Will the new hand control PC boards fit on my 2004 motorcycle? Yes and in fact I highly recommend the swap at the first suggestion of a problem. The newer PC boards offer some feedback to let you know you actually pushed the button and they are better protected from moisture. If you order new PC boards for a 2004 model you will also need new rubber to go with it as they are not compatible. If you have a 2005 or 2006 that you want to upgrade you do not need the rubber. I would order the new mounting screws though (this goes for 2004 as well). I increased the shoulder on the mounting screws and it helps provide better feedback when pushing the button. There are 4 screws per side, use blue loctite when installing. The other advantage of the new PC boards is the brake switch sensor is encapsulated in aluminum instead of rubber and is not as delicate when tightening the set screw.
3. Can I install 2005-later LED turn signal boards on my older model? Yes you can. They are wired the same and will not affect your electrical system. If you have LED boards with a three pin connector on there now all the LED boards are interchangeable. In bikes that only have two wires running to the front it is not an issue to only use the two wires. If you are careful on how you wire them in you can run power from your speedometer, rear running lights or tach to the front and you will have parking lights on the front.
Let me know what else has you going Hmmm? and I'll answer to the best of my ability. Just don't ask me why I am so mean to Ohmster, if I didn't pick on him from time to time he would think I didn't like him anymore :argue:
Definition:
Inrush Current: Basically when a incandescent type light is first switched on the resistance is essentially zero which causes a large current (the inrush current) across the circuit (remember Ohms law: Voltage/Resistance=Current). In a matter of microseconds the light has a resistance and the current will settle down to what ever the rating is on the bulb. So large spike, then common steady state current (about 5amps on the big dog high beam).
This weeks installment are things that make you go Hmmm?
1. What is the deal with that coil of wire on the ground in the headlight bucket? This coil was there when I started with the company and I questioned it for some time. The only history I could get was that BDM had a problem at one time with headlights popping very prematurely, kinda like Ohmster did in high school. Anyway I was told it was to create an inductor that helped slow down the inrush current (see definition below) and protect the bulb. The problem with this explanation is that the number of coils and the insulation on the wire does not make much of an inductor, at least not enough, if anything it just raises the resistance of the wire my a minuscule amount, maybe helps sych some heat. I and my trusty side kick Ohmster the Great performed some detailed testing and showed no reduction in inrush current with or with out a coil of wire. For the newer bikes the coil has been or is slowly transitioned off the bike. I left the coil on for a while and recommend you do the same because there is always that hint of the unknown and the coil really doesn't hurt anything so why temp fate...remember, if it is not broke don't fix it.
2. Will the new hand control PC boards fit on my 2004 motorcycle? Yes and in fact I highly recommend the swap at the first suggestion of a problem. The newer PC boards offer some feedback to let you know you actually pushed the button and they are better protected from moisture. If you order new PC boards for a 2004 model you will also need new rubber to go with it as they are not compatible. If you have a 2005 or 2006 that you want to upgrade you do not need the rubber. I would order the new mounting screws though (this goes for 2004 as well). I increased the shoulder on the mounting screws and it helps provide better feedback when pushing the button. There are 4 screws per side, use blue loctite when installing. The other advantage of the new PC boards is the brake switch sensor is encapsulated in aluminum instead of rubber and is not as delicate when tightening the set screw.
3. Can I install 2005-later LED turn signal boards on my older model? Yes you can. They are wired the same and will not affect your electrical system. If you have LED boards with a three pin connector on there now all the LED boards are interchangeable. In bikes that only have two wires running to the front it is not an issue to only use the two wires. If you are careful on how you wire them in you can run power from your speedometer, rear running lights or tach to the front and you will have parking lights on the front.
Let me know what else has you going Hmmm? and I'll answer to the best of my ability. Just don't ask me why I am so mean to Ohmster, if I didn't pick on him from time to time he would think I didn't like him anymore :argue:
Definition:
Inrush Current: Basically when a incandescent type light is first switched on the resistance is essentially zero which causes a large current (the inrush current) across the circuit (remember Ohms law: Voltage/Resistance=Current). In a matter of microseconds the light has a resistance and the current will settle down to what ever the rating is on the bulb. So large spike, then common steady state current (about 5amps on the big dog high beam).
