01-SEP-2014
SAE cable routing
I routed the SAE connector to come out next to the ignition switch.
04-SEP-2014
DATEL voltmeter
Installed a Datel voltmeter to monitor battery and electrical system at all time.
30-AUG-2014
PWM Dimmer
I saw this PWM (Pulse Width Modulating) dimmer on Amazon sold for US$3.60 including air mail shipping from Hong Kong. I was curious so I ordered one to play with. It came to California from HK in 10 days. Not bad at all. How can anyone make any money by selling an electronics dimmer for US$3.60 including shipping fee?
05-SEP-2014
Dimmer in scale
It's bigger than I like so I'll open it up to see what's inside...
05-SEP-2014
Dimmer - internal
It's mostly empty inside. If I can find a smaller plastic box, I'm sure I can make it much smaller. We'll see...
05-SEP-2014
Dimmer - preliminary testing
I wired it up to do some bench testing. Unfortunately, I no longer have my old analog VOM meter. Using a digital Fluke VOM, I was not able to see the pulse width modulation as it sampled and averaged the readings at a low rate. I will bring it to work to hook it up to a scope to see what exactly it does. With an analog VOM, I would be able to see the needle swinging back and forth when the PWM takes place. Not with a digital VOM.
If you are not familiar with PWM, basically PWM turns on and off the voltage/current to the load very quickly from hundred of times per second to tens of thousand times per second so you won't notice the flicker at all. My plan is to adapt this dimmer to my motorcycle heated vest.
I connected a 9V battery to the input and measured the output. The output was very linear from 0 to 9.44V (input was 9.46V). The loss was expected. There was no CLICK in the OFF position but when turning it all the way down counterclockwise, my Fluke VOM registered 0V so it did shut it off properly.
So far so good. I like it.
08-SEP-2014
PWM check out...
Yes, it really did pulse width modulation. Good.
05-SEP-2014
Powerpole connectors
I didn't really like the stupid SAE connector that you have to buy pre-made molded connector with whatever gauge wire they put on it. I got some Powerpole connectors to play with. They come with connectors (in different colors but I got BLACK and RED for negative and positive), then 15, 30, 45A contacts (that fit into the same connector) that I can mix and match to solder any size wire to it.
The 2 connectors can be separated or locked together in any configuration and they are keyed that the polarity is enforced.
19-SEP-2014
Whelen LIN3 LED light
Bought a Whelen LINEAR 3 LED light. These are the same ones that are used on police cars and ambulance. I got the RED color. It was made in USA and it's not cheap at $65 a piece. It has several continuous flashing modes but I set it to the steady mode as I have a Kisan Trailblazer that flashes it then makes it steady.
19-SEP-2014
OEM reflector
After considering several mounting positions on the rear, I decided that the position of the OEM rear reflector is the most favorable position for an OEM look.