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Message started by Jdvt600 on 06/14/20 at 08:51:24

Title: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Jdvt600 on 06/14/20 at 08:51:24

Hopefully without spiraling into a debate about their viability...

Does anyone know of a headlight modulator that uses an irregular tempo to strobe? All of the popular modulators seem to have a regular tempo. I've seen irregular modulators on other bikes out on the road but I'm not having much luck with Google.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Serowbot on 06/14/20 at 08:56:07

Intermittent short... ;D

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Jdvt600 on 06/15/20 at 09:29:47

FYI, I got a reply from a vendor. Apparently it's law that they flash at a regular interval. To me this makes it more likely to be mistaken as an emergency vehicle.

"Our module flashes at a steady rate. This is required by the DOT. They give a very specific flash rate that the module must have to be legal."

Thought I'd close the loop for anyone who cares.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Serowbot on 06/15/20 at 10:29:10

Good info,...
I never thought about the emergency vehicle thing...
I can see your logic there.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by verslagen1 on 06/15/20 at 12:07:13

I've seen the psychotic modulator on a car once... thought it appropriate.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/15/20 at 13:24:50

Cool, cuz Ive been looking at variable circuits trying to find one that kinda sorta randomizes,, now Ill stop,,

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by bobert_FSO on 06/15/20 at 13:35:38

My Kaw Vulcan 800 headlight has a single-bolt rubber-mounted headlight. The rubber mount causes the headlight to shake and bounce a little. I have thought about trying to tighten it up, but on second thought, the vibration does make a noticeable light movement when it it is coming at you.

I have decided that I would rather be noticed, than have a solid headlight mount, so I have left it as it is. I don't ride at night, anyway, so it doesn't bother me when riding.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Dave on 06/15/20 at 14:40:09

I read the laws for the headlight modulators once. Not only are the flash rates regulated..........but the light is not allowed to go ON/OFF - it is required the light go BRIGHT/DIM, and the dim portion is not allowed to drop below something like 60% of the full intensity. This may be how they make the emergency flashers stand out more - as they are allowed to go completely off and also have erratic patterns.

Filament bulbs tend to ramp up and down with these flashers and the change is slightly gradual - I wonder what happens if you use an LED headlight bulb?

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/15/20 at 15:32:34

I dont have a modulator, but when Im watching someone and Im not sure they see me,, I will flash high/low at them,, several times,, fast..and swereve in my lane,, giving their eye something that isnt a stationary dot,,
Granted,, the gal that ran over me didnt even give me time to hit the brakes,,as soon as the beer truck was clear of her fender, she nailed it,, I was in the next lane
she nailed me
No light was gonna save that from happening,,

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by bobert_FSO on 06/15/20 at 16:32:41

"I dont have a modulator, but when Im watching someone and Im not sure they see me,, I will flash high/low at them,, several times,, fast..and swereve in my lane,, giving their eye something that isnt a stationary dot"

I also do the swervy thing as an extra incentive for someone to notice I'm there.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by ohiomoto on 06/15/20 at 20:07:06

6B666B6C7B7D090 wrote:

----

I'm bobbing and weaving all over all of the time. It get drivers attention and it's fun!

Lights, Helmets, Action saves lives! (NOT loud pipes that make most of their noise after you pass by everyone.)

Unfortunately, we still risk our lives every time we get on a road, JOG can attest to that.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by SavageMan99 on 06/16/20 at 07:13:43

My cheapo eBay headlight has leds in it for turn signals.
It wouldn't be much to swap them out for the ones that blink. I have some in a box. After a bit they become random because they flash at different rates. They come in the usual led colors on eBay, pre wired.
There are also ones that slowly color switch, but the colors are not all state friendly.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Jdvt600 on 06/16/20 at 09:32:57

333E33342325510 wrote:

Sounds like a potential solution for my bike in the future.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Jdvt600 on 06/16/20 at 13:47:35

I decided to give the rubber mounts a try.

Using spare fuel line I made four rubber washers. I trimmed the sides to fit the square hole on the headlight casing. Each mount point is now rubber. It's been raining here but I'll give it a go later and see how visible the bounce is on the light.

http://https://i.ibb.co/W63LKhW/20200616-150211-HDR.jpg (https://ibb.co/W63LKhW) http://https://i.ibb.co/WkBGzwM/20200616-150848-HDR.jpg (https://ibb.co/WkBGzwM)

Case attached to lower fork bridge.
http://https://i.ibb.co/fxpt3TH/20200616-150812-HDR.jpg (https://ibb.co/fxpt3TH)

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by youzguyz on 06/19/20 at 04:37:42

Modulated headlights give me a headache.. literally. I can deal with one coming at me, as it will soon be gone.
But, if you are behind me, I will pull over and let you go by. If I am leading a ride and you have one, I will ask you to turn it off.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by Dave on 06/19/20 at 09:20:46

6A7C666974666A69130 wrote:

I was on the interstate and a large touring bike came up behind me that had two bright white lights on each side of the headlight that were modulating. It was daylight and even with that the bright lights in my mirror were incredibly obnoxious - I had to slow down a lot before he would pass.

Title: Re: Irregular pattern Headlight Modulator
Post by eau de sauvage on 06/21/20 at 04:00:19

I've had a modulator on my GS500 for 3 years now. I feel much safer, especially as in the bright summers down here make it difficult to even tell when a headlight is on during the day thus defeating the purpose of being forced to have them on, on a m/cycle. Therefore if it's a good idea to force m/cycles to have their headlights on then it's obviously a better idea to have a modulator.

I'll often go months at a time with no reaction, but then I'll have a flurry (2 or 3) within a short time flash me as they tend to think they are alerting me to a problem. I still get people pull out in front of me, but I also see people hesitate. Sometimes people slow down when they see me coming as they get confused and think I may be the fuzz.

Sure there'll always be those who b!tch about it on forums and come up with some convoluted reason why it's a bad idea. But bottom line is, who gives a fcuk about them if you know that people notice you better.

Flashing your headlights can be taken as a sign that it's OK to pull out in front, and moving your headlight from side to side to get attention by wobbling the handlebars can likewise be seen as aggressive.

I've only ever seen one other modulating headlight in 3 years. I ride to save my life and I'm always trying to think a long way ahead. Nevertheless, a modulator makes me easier to see and no matter how small a percentage that it, it's better than not having it.

The law usually requires that any modulating must be at least 4 per second, which means that that the filament never goes out so it doesn't reduce the lifetime of the bulb.

Modulating is also illegal if it spans two different lights as this usually signals an emergency vehicle. I feel better with the modulator operating and knowing I'm more visible. While most road users are not aware that they are legal, I've never had a problem with the fuzz who all seem to know, the rules.