Topic: Looking for some input on an electrical project

[ANVkevin]

Hey!

As the subject says, I'm looking for some input (additional ideas) for an electrical project I'm working on. I'm an electrical engineering student building a cafe and I'm not really into the stock wiring situation. It's bulky, unreliable, and not particularly LED friendly. I know you can add load resistors to use the stock flasher relay but it really defeats the purpose of using LED signals for efficiency. Using an LED friendly flasher doesn't help the bulky situation either. The big thing for me (not totally necessary of course) is to get rid of the stock controls for the horn, signals, head light, etc.

What I'm building is a micro-controlled system for all of the electronics. Essentially it will control the LED signals, license plate light, head light, horn, and tail light. The handy side of this is being able to change the flash rates, or add the fast-blinky-before-solid brake light thing. I suppose I can even have it run the starter motor. As well has having an off option for the headlight I'd really like.

I'm shooting for an end result of having this all contained in a small box with a rectifier and regulator. It wont really get rid of any wires really, just remove the giant mess under my side cover, utilize smaller gauge newer wire, and simply things a bit.

So I'm looking for some ideas you guys might have as far as removing some of the pains of dealing stock wiring and electronics.

Thanks!
Kevin

[Rigid]

I would suggest keeping the big wire to the starter, uh, big.   

[Rgconner]

There was a post recently showing an absolutely sick all-in-one control box.

Here is something similar, but not it:

http://www.harleycustom.com/Prod-Electronic_Box-Chopper_&_Custom_Motorcycle_Wiring-19-121.html

Look at the last two items. The box was like the next to last one.

[ANVkevin]

Rigid - Ahaha, that's right. Only a guess, but I'd expect >30 amps draw for a starter. I think the head light is something like 7A alone.

Rgconner - I'd love to see that all-in-one box! Those other electronic boxes are fairly similar to what I'm working on. I'd say there are two major advantages to what I'm trying to accomplish. The first being the contained rectifier/regulator, the other being that I'm keeping the cost down to approximately $50.

[scottly]

Rigid - Ahaha, that's right. Only a guess, but I'd expect >30 amps draw for a starter.

Um, more like >100 amps.. 

[Retro Rocket]

There was a post recently showing an absolutely sick all-in-one control box.

Here is something similar, but not it:

http://www.harleycustom.com/Prod-Electronic_Box-Chopper_&_Custom_Motorcycle_Wiring-19-121.html

Look at the last two items. The box was like the next to last one.

Here you go guys, it was i that posted this little beauty....

http://www.nccr.se/html/motogadget_m-unit_eng.html

[ANVkevin]

Scottly - I know 4 cylinder cars are that high, I suppose I made a bad assumption thinking bikes are easier to crank. Thanks for the heads up!

Retro - That's about exactly what I'm talking about. Thanks for the link!

Anyone have any ideas that might help make it more functional? I'd like to be able to make it interface with a dyna system to possibly add a pseudo shift light as I'm not running gauges.