PDM Install Challenge; K9 W/air ride

PurpleDog

PurpleDog

Well-Known Member
Alright guys, here's the deal; I've been trying to install my PDM kit on my K9 which is equipped with Air Ride. I knew it would be a challenge given the hand control interface is supposed to mount where my air compressor is located.

I've tried and tried to come up with a solution; I ended up mounting the HCI flat against the bottom of the battery tray, opposite side of the compressor. I incorrectly calculated that I could reinstall the side covers in this location while dressing those (far too large than they needed to be) electrical connectors to the side and underneath the battery tray. Anyway, I stuck it and dressed all the cabling in with 3572 tie straps right...:D

I sourced 2 mirco switches, soldered the wiring and drilled the bottom of the left side cover; that seemed like a good plan - err nope, I learned another way not do that. As it turns out I'm a dumb ass because after successfully testing the rest of the electrical system with success, I plugged in my new switches only to learn that they are normally closed as opposed to normally open.....:bang::bang::bang: So I ripped that shit out, drilled it bigger and threw a toggle switch in there cause I got places to go.


{Don't do this}






I won't bore you with PDM install, Fiber did a great write up on it; I agree with him, its basically easy - well, should be if you don't have Air Ride. Running the harness up the backbone was cake compared to what I am dealing with.



So I think if BDM would have designed the fuse block to site higher in the battery tray compartment so as if it were parellel with an installed battery; I could have placed the HCI under the fuse block and within the battery tray. I especially would believe that had they not used those excessively large connectors everywhere. It's not like the wiring gauge is so large to have required that size in my humble opinion.





Anyway, I was done except placing right side cover back on the bike. Well, that isn't going to happen in its current configuration. The HCI will not mount in the front of the battery tray. I may be out of reasonable options.








I welcome your thoughts. BDPP, if your listening - would you care to help a client out. I would rather not shed my bike of its Air Ride, but as I mentioned; I've also got the wind calling my name. Thanks...:cheers:

/PurpleDog
 
Fibersnake

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
Would it be possible and if so, would it work, if you mounted the HCI up in the battery box is in place of the ignition module and then maybe mounted the ignition module directly underneath the battery (sort of where the HCI is) but towards the back more. May give you some more room ro work. Hard to tell with the picture.
 
Five Five

Five Five

Well-Known Member
Shit Purpledog !! ...I got the air ride too and want to go with the PDM....Your a smart man I know you will figure this shit out.... I willl be following this thread.

:2thumbs:
"five"
 
PaulHart

PaulHart

Well-Known Member
So what about making some brackets to get the fuse box higher in the battery tray so you can mount the HCI underneath. At least try sitting it in that way first to see if it will work. You may be able to gain that inch or so needed to get it in there. Then again your getting pretty close to the bottom of the seat. I agree on the connectors by the way.
 
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PurpleDog

PurpleDog

Well-Known Member
PaulHart said:
So what about making some brackets to get the fuse box higher in the battery tray so you can mount the HCI underneath. At least try sitting it in that way first to see if it will work. You may be able to gain that inch or so needed to get it in there. Then again your getting pretty close to the bottom of the seat. I agree on the connectors by the way.
Click to expand...
This is what I am thinking of doing...I've got the room between the seat and fuse block height wise. They designed it so that the top of the block is below the down tube. I haven't concluded that I can make it clear the down tube and still fit with the angle of down tube under the seat yet though. I know it will be tight if so; they did it the easy way where they put it.
If I am able to successfully relocate it higher in the tray, I "may" still need to look into cutting, splicing longer wires onto the HCI and maybe smaller connectors. As it stands, I've resigned myself to the fact it isn't gonna be a neat, clean wiring job regardless. Those factory connectors have to go and perhaps modified wire lengths to make that happen. (Which by the way, I've already had to extend the pwr/grd wires from the HCI to place it where I did the first time around.
 
PurpleDog

PurpleDog

Well-Known Member
Five Five said:
Shit Purpledog !! ...I got the air ride too and want to go with the PDM....Your a smart man I know you will figure this shit out.... I willl be following this thread.

:2thumbs:
"five"
Click to expand...
Yep, I'd have to recommend that you stand-down on this path for the time being. I'll let the group know how this shakes out. I'm riding my bike by December one way or another --- it may be missing some parts, but I'm riding it....:D
 
Five Five

Five Five

Well-Known Member
PurpleDog said:
Yep, I'd have to recommend that you stand-down on this path for the time being. I'll let the group know how this shakes out. I'm riding my bike by December one way or another --- it may be missing some parts, but I'm riding it....:D
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Alright man thanks..... :up:
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
I don't quite get what it is your trying do to Purp.
I don't really know much about the new system yet. Does it no longer incorporate the air ride through the controls? Im going to assume here, and probably make an ass out of myself, and say it doesn't. If thats the case can't you just utilize a three way mini momentary switch and a relay in to the mix? You could make a slick little bracket that tucks in under the seat and sticks out at the Y of the backbone. Use the cover mount hole to secure the bracket in place.
 

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Fibersnake

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
Kaptain America,

I am not sure but I do not think the new PDM is wired for the air ride through the hand switches. If correct he will have to rig for that and your idea may be the ticket, not sure. The issue he is having is finding a spot to mount the HCI (Hand Control Interface) and still get it all wired up nice and neat and where he can get the covers on. The HCI on the no air ride bikes sits right under the battery box where his compresor is, so a little bit of fitting issue. with all the wires and componets, he is tryin to find a spot to mount the HCI and may have to do some mod to the new wiring harness to get it to fit in a different spot.

I think I got it right, I am sure PD will correct me if I am wrong.

Best to you KA
 
PurpleDog

PurpleDog

Well-Known Member
Correct Fiber, my real issue has more to do with finding a suitable place to land (mount) that HCI. Kapt, the new kit doesn't have control function for Air Ride; that's really no big deal...I was just showing a failed idea to solve for it is all. Your idea looks better then mine now, but at the time I was hell bent on momentary micro switches and unfortunately simply choose the wrong ones.

Update; BDPP has already updated their design with newer version electrical connectors which are smaller. I had purchased my PDM kit earlier when the K9 kit was first made available through Lena/TX. (It's just been sitting here in stand-by, much like my WP kit here on the shelf from Jake)

Now onto my new plan; I am going to remove the PDM kit from the bike and send it back to our breeder for modification to the newer style connectors.

The fine folks in KS/Big Dog once again steps in with superior customer service in attempts to help me out. I've still got to figure out where to stick the HCI, but at least now I may have more options then what I am restricted to in its current form.

Stay tuned.....and thank you Big Dog ---:cheers:
 
Five Five

Five Five

Well-Known Member
PurpleDog said:
Correct Fiber, my real issue has more to do with finding a suitable place to land (mount) that HCI. Kapt, the new kit doesn't have control function for Air Ride; that's really no big deal...I was just showing a failed idea to solve for it is all. Your idea looks better then mine now, but at the time I was hell bent on momentary micro switches and unfortunately simply choose the wrong ones.

Update; BDPP has already updated their design with newer version electrical connectors which are smaller. I had purchased my PDM kit earlier when the K9 kit was first made available through Lena/TX. (It's just been sitting here in stand-by, much like my WP kit here on the shelf from Jake)

Now onto my new plan; I am going to remove the PDM kit from the bike and send it back to our breeder for modification to the newer style connectors.

The fine folks in KS/Big Dog once again steps in with superior customer service in attempts to help me out. I've still got to figure out where to stick the HCI, but at least now I may have more options then what I am restricted to in its current form.

Stay tuned.....and thank you Big Dog ---:cheers:
Click to expand...
Thats some good news :up:
 
Dawgboy

Dawgboy

Active Member
How about going with a lithium ion battery (significantly smaller) and a new smaller box? That module required a box mod anyway didn't it?

Just a thought
 
PurpleDog

PurpleDog

Well-Known Member
Dawgboy said:
How about going with a lithium ion battery (significantly smaller) and a new smaller box? That module required a box mod anyway didn't it?

Just a thought
Click to expand...
Hmm, an interesting thought indeed; I'll have to look into that, appreciate the idea. I'd see mention of those on here somewhere, but didn't give it much thought at the time.

:cheers:
 
Dawgboy

Dawgboy

Active Member
PurpleDog said:
Hmm, an interesting thought indeed; I'll have to look into that, appreciate the idea. I'd see mention of those on here somewhere, but didn't give it much thought at the time.

:cheers:
Click to expand...
Buddy bought one for his yaffe custom... All kinds of room in the box now.
 
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