Which EHC Replacement (new version)

[BadDawg Bill]

I probably shouldn't put this up here but I can't help myself.
The E-Pak, when its ready, will be programmable to work either way.
With latch switching or momentary switching.
I know....I know....I'm working on it I swear.

Well, if you succeed in doing it you are a genius. The BD sends ground signals to the computer to let 12v do it's job (like a big relay). The Harley system uses 12v for switching everything with no computer or relays so they are very different systems. I love the idea of sending grounds to control the 12v but other than BD no one else caught on.

We all love our BD bikes and just want to ride them without fear of not getting home. If someone can come up with a system like you are working on then it would be the best of both worlds and you will make a fortune.

Put the system in, use your stock switches and controls and when the switches go down, buy Harley switches and change the setting and ride on.

The only problem I see is you still have a computer on board. I've gotten a few PM messages about this and members are very confused. They want a reliable system but don't want to spend the $$ for Harley controls. Until you can buy BD switches for under $100 (like Harley) and find them, and have a reliable ECH module you will always have that nagging thought about getting home or look at your bike in the garage that won't run. (like mine)

I hope Curtis you can find the solution to all of this and if your efforts on this project are as good as your service then you will succeed. Good luck my friend... :2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[KaptinAmerika]

I am working on it and the e-Pak will have the ability to switch between the two different types of switches, it is already designed in and functioning, not in real time of course but in so much as if you have latching it can be programmed to work with them or if you have momentary it can be programmed to work with momentary. It cannot, however be programmed to work with both at the same time.
I have a solution for the PCB boards also but I am keeping my mouth shut on that one until they are ready...

 

[gabe]

So I absolutely understand the harley controls thing and not having to worry about the EHC. But below is why I would avoid it personally ... that master cylinder is a work of art! (does need cleaned up a bit) So today my choice would probably be RIP....until Kaptin gets his up and running. But so far I'm still running my EHC.

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[japelfrey]

Curtis is the man! I will wait for whatever Frankenstein he creates and some folks to throw it on their dogs and I will be happy to do the same. I have had some issues here and there with my Dog but I knew that going in, I haven't had it as bad as some but none the less I do what I can to offset known problems but I wouldn't trade it for any factory made Harley or other out there. These bikes have a very unique stubborn - satisfaction ratio, a love/hate if you will which makes me intimately familiar with every aspect of it I can within my wheelhouse. Long Live BDM's!

 

[francoblay1]

Just a thought.....

Why not someone gets with Thunder Heart and sells their units pre-wired (Plug & Play) for our Dogs?

They seem to be half of the price than the RIP and apparently (for what I´ve been told) are as reliable or even better! Just sayin

 

[Fibersnake]

I changed out my EHC and put the PDM on it, mainly to see how it would do (I still have my EHC harness and old EHC). That was nearly 3years ago and it is still going strong with no issues and at least 15k more miles since install.

That said, WP was the hot item back then and the PDM had just came out, many of the same that the RIP claims were claimed by PDM. That is plug and play, which really wasn’t since you did have to remove the old harness and install new, but the JST did connect to all others.

The RIP may be excellent and end up the end all to end all, hopefully for those that do bite on it, it will show as such. All said though, if my PDM fails (and it just may do that the next time I start it), my suggestion is to go old school and wire simple with good components and do what has proven to work for many many years on many different types, no fancy EHC-Electronic, low voltage, etc-Just solid off/on with good relays and 12 volts and good grounds.

The potential problem I see with all others, is that with being new (regardless of how well built or how much solid engineering goes into it), is they are limited, have very little real world use on BD and may not show failure or problems until later.

Just beware, this road has been traveled many times, and though I am happy with my PDM, the only thing I would feel confident with is old school.

One last thing though, the RIP is designed by Ohmster and solid people and if it holds up for long term, does seem to be the best alternative for quick and easy. Then again the PDM was supposed to be the same and in my case not as easy as I had hoped when installing, but still going strong with no issues, but others have had some.

I do feel like it is 2010 and 2011 all over again though, for the newer people on here, may want to go back with a cool drink in your hand and spend some time learning history and search for there will be allot of old stuff that is new again!!!!!

 

[c.c.rider]

I'm with you on this one Fibersnake

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Just a thought.....

Why not someone gets with Thunder Heart and sells their units pre-wired (Plug & Play) for our Dogs?

They seem to be half of the price than the RIP and apparently (for what I´ve been told) are as reliable or even better! Just sayin

I guarantee you once they put the time into it, if they would even bother which I doubt, it wouldn't be half the price of the RIP kit.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

The owners manual for thunder heart micro controller say's there are only two controllers.
One for separate center brake light and the other for one without one. So it looks like the same unit for BD and HD controls. If concerned give them a call.
The PCB- hand control switches are still available as well.

Paul

The BD and Harley are 2 separate systems. One uses grounds and thin wire to tell the computer to turn on 12v. (BD)

The other (HD) runs 12v heavy wire to on/off switches to power the bike. You can't have it both ways my friend... with the same system. Drink the koolaid if you want.....

Try running 12v 32 amp through those thin ground wires and you had better have very good insurance on your bike. Even IF there were a computer that could be switched from ground control (BD) to 12v pos control (HD) you still would wind up with another ECH..... and sitting on the side of the road....

 

[KaptinAmerika]

That's funny because I run an EHC in my K9, as well as all my customer's bikes, and neither I nor they spend their time sitting on the side of the road.
And I hate Kool-Aide.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

That's funny because I run an EHC in my K9, as well as all my customer's bikes, and neither I nor they spend their time sitting on the side of the road.
And I hate Kool-Aide.

Then why are you trying to develop an new EHC for both Harley and BD? :argue:

 

[KaptinAmerika]

I'm not trying to develop it. Its developed
The side effect of using out sourced modules is you sometimes get other things you don't necessarily plan on. In this case the ability to use momentary or latched switching is one of those extra features. I am not developing the e-PAK to be used with Harley style switching. I simply stated that there is equipment out there that can do both.

 

[Jwooky]

I can't blame guys that have had a bad experience with low current switching, microcontroller technologies etc, want to jump ship and go back to 12v, bulky, high current, old technology that they have had good experience with.

The reality is, if it is executed, developed and tested/validated properly, they are very reliable systems.

Virtually every function in a modern vehicle is done this way. In fact with the advent of touch screens it just continues to become more and more complex and feature packed yet very reliable. We even have steering and braking systems done this way.

So, since we have had some bad experience, myself included, is understandable to want to abandon the technology, and go back in time.

My point is however, its not the technology, its the execution. If we can identify the flaws, which arguably have been done, we can resolve those flaws and maintain the rest of the system, including the beautifully sculpted controls.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

I certainly agree

 

[francoblay1]

I'm a die hard BD fan so any recommendations of Harleyizing our BDs gets under my skin.
Sorry its just the way I am.
In addition I am growing weary of the fear mongering being done to Big Dogs.
Yes BD in its original form is gone but BD in its current form is still alive and well.
There are a number of vendors working very hard to keep BDs rolling and there is talk of BD rising again.My endeavor is to keep BD alive in spirit and body. I am an avid believer in the general direction they were going with modernizing the custom bike and I intend to continue in that direction as do a number of others. This being a BD forum I do get weary of those who come here and try to convince people that UnBigDogging their Big Dog is the way to go.
I do agree with you that a lot of money was thrown away by a lot of people due to poor design work earlier on. But I think those issues have been resolved now. For example with the new RIP kit yes there is the possibility of the module going out down the road. However, with the RIP kit being non-proprietary the end owner can simply order a new module disconnect the one in there now and connect the new one and be down the road. The replacement module for the RIP kit is relatively low cost compared to the module costs of other systems.
In the end if an individual wants to hack their BD and go with an old school system it is certainly their choice but I will never recommend that to anyone as I believe the newer kits are cleaner and more reliable overall.

Now, that would be nice! Keep us posted :2thumbs:

 

[DiscoBayJoe]

Do any of these support the 05 Bulldog's Factory airride controls (using the hi/low beam button)?

 

[KaptinAmerika]

No, however the R.I.P. kit can be ordered with the air ride integrated as follows:
The Hi beam button becomes the headlight control entirely. Pressing the Hi beam button changes the headlight between Hi and Lo and back to Hi. That leaves the Lo beam button available to depressurize the air ride. On the right hand control the Run button becomes both the Run and Off function which leaves the Off button to pressurize the air ride. Both operate in real time so there is no toying around trying to get the bike into "Air Ride Mode".

 

[bigd1960]

Thanks Pauly for the link. Would have been real useful if RIP came with that for instructions instead of 1/2 page and 6 pictures. Was almost ready to use mine for target practice.

 

[LowdownDirtyDog]

Wire plus

I recently had to replace my EHC after sitting on the side of the road (on my first ride after buying the bike)! After much research I opted to go with the wire-plus kit. It has solid connections and comes with a new key switch. You have the option of having them wire it up or making all the connections yourself. 520$ to wire it up yourself or 900$ to have them make all the connections ( I made all of my own connections). I went with this option because now there is nothing to fail. I think everyone can agree that the EHC has issue's. One look on the interwebs and you can see a litany of people that have had issue with it. With this option you don't have to worry about it anymore and just makes life easy. While I am doing all my maintenance and work myself that does not mean I want to spend all my time in the shop and not on the road. Don't get me wrong the Bigdog bikes are awesome, why I bought one. But I want a reliable bike that won't just shut down on me at some random point. If someone could come up with a way to make the modern computers not crap out due to all the shaking (my opinion, not really founded in tested theory) then that would be ok, but I kinda of like the lack of all the tech on a bike. lets a person unplug for a little and just ride. But thats just my two cents.

the R.I.P. kit looks like a good option too. I just went with the wire plus kit because I wanted to make all my own connections.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

I don't know where the talk about developing something for Harley started. I am not now, nor have I ever, stated that I was building anything for Harley. I don't ride Harleys and work on them only as a last resort.
I am developing the e-PAK because my current EHC does not have all the accessories I want and because no one is making the EHC anymore so when, yes I said When because everything dies eventually, my EHC dies or anyone else's I want a replacement available.
Why don't I improve on what BD started? I would in a heart beat if I could get my hands on the engineering and design docs.

Then why are you trying to develop an new EHC for both Harley and BD? :argue: