Wiring switch for cruise control

[rodekyll]

I've got the brake side relay done as the first step to totally rewiring the plugs.  I followed the diagram ITsec included in the procedure he sent me.  I have a set of instructions saying pin 87a is used and pin 87 is unused.  I've got another that's a bit confusing, but suggests pin 87 is used and pin 87a is unused.  Since these are opposites, I thought I'd double-check before making a mistake.

I'm also concerned about the dark blue wire (tach signal).  The procedure says it needs to be tied to ground if I am using the VSS (gray wire) to a 3-wire drive shaft sensor.  Do I simply join it to the servo ground?

The trike does not use a neutral safety switch or clutch switch.  Do I want to leave them open or grounded?

[Moto]

I'm also concerned about the dark blue wire (tach signal).  The procedure says it needs to be tied to ground if I am using the VSS (gray wire) to a 3-wire drive shaft sensor.  Do I simply join it to the servo ground?

Yes.

The trike does not use a neutral safety switch or clutch switch.  Do I want to leave them open or grounded?

Open.

[ITSec]

I have a set of instructions saying pin 87a is used and pin 87 is unused.  I've got another that's a bit confusing, but suggests pin 87 is used and pin 87a is unused.  Since these are opposites, I thought I'd double-check before making a mistake.

Here's the deal - the relay does this:

When there is NO POWER to the trigger circuit, then the incoming power on the target circuit goes out to 87a.

When there is POSITIVE POWER to the trigger circuit, then the incoming power on the target circuit goes out to 87.

So you choose what happens to your target by putting it on one or the other.

[rodekyll]

Did you get the fuse to stop popping?

Here's the deal - the relay does this:

When there is NO POWER to the trigger circuit, then the incoming power on the target circuit goes out to 87a.

When there is POSITIVE POWER to the trigger circuit, then the incoming power on the target circuit goes out to 87.

So you choose what happens to your target by putting it on one or the other.

Ok -- I gotta get smarter than pin 85.     I know HOW a relay works, but I'm apparently impaired in my ability to sort out WHERE it works.  Everything in the postage-stamp space is black-on-black in a dark environment.  I shoved the wire for pin 85 into the socket hole for pin 87.  Bonehead move, but I've forgiven myself for it.  Not ready to try it yet, but getting a good flashlight and squinting just right made it look better. 

On to wiring up the control pod.

[rodekyll]

Got the wiring done.  I looked at the list.  I've checked it twice.  There are no wires all knotty -- all nice.  IIRC, the old kind of Audiovox wasn't near the challenge this new type of Rostra was.  My test light comes on when it should, I can hear the brake relay click, and so far the fuses remain intact.  It's been inclement weather here the past couple of days.  I'm going to wait for a dry spell to road test on account of I have the cowling off the 'lectrics area for this exercise, and all the fuses and relays are exposed to the elements.

My cheap Trail Tech button pod isn't working.  Copious amount of brake fluid and a couple of unfortunate incidents getting trapped between the garage floor and tires may have been involved.  The good news is that I found most of the pieces.  I zip-tied a simple 2-way momentary toggle to the handlebar for testing.  I might end up liking it because it's free* and the batwing is easy to push with my gloves on.  That Pingel stuff is darn spendy**!

 *There's your Guzzi content
** more Guzzi content

[rodekyll]

Thanks, ITsec and Moto!  I'm cruising +/- .5mph.  The problem was the sensor setting on the dipp block.  I had a note to set it to Sine wave.  It needed to be configured for a square wave. 

How is your project working out, Tony?

[Moto]

Thanks, ITsec and Moto!  I'm cruising +/- .5mph.  The problem was the sensor setting on the dipp block.  I had a note to set it to Sine wave.  It needed to be configured for a square wave. 

How is your project working out, Tony?

Congratulations! Time well spent.

Moto

[ITSec]

Thanks, ITsec and Moto!  I'm cruising +/- .5mph.  The problem was the sensor setting on the dipp block.  I had a note to set it to Sine wave.  It needed to be configured for a square wave. 

How is your project working out, Tony?

Good stuff. The sine vs square wave thing really depends on whether the signal coming in appears as distinct pulses or as a more gradual increase and decrease in signal strength. Sometimes, even the old fashioned magnets come through more as a pulse, depending on how they're installed.

My installation worked fairly well on the trip east last week, but suffered from a fair bit of surging when turned on at speeds below 60 mph. I'm going to mess with the gain setting and the engine type setting and see what gives the best result, and I'll also minimize the slack in the cable. I didn't have much, but these newer servos seem to wants close to none for best results on motorcycles.

Meantime, I seem to have a problem with my on-off switch not being as weather-resistant as I thought - a heavy rain in Mississippi yesterday has disabled the unit, and I couldn't dry it out enough today to check where the issue is. Hopefully in the morning, before I start the ride for home from my current location in NW Alabama!

[rodekyll]

 It's 42 and blowing rain here -- not ideal road test conditions, especially with the cowling off the electronics area.  I have not had mine up to 60 yet.  I did 15 miles of hilly 40 and 45mph stuff figuring that any surging or sensitivity problems would be worse at low speeds.  The cruise notices hills and gets on and off the throttle better than I can unless I'm really paying attention.  It doesn't lose or gain much at all.  If it does a real trip without surging I'll be happy with the settings I've got.

I'm using marine switches.

[Moto]

IT, I had a similar problem after a huge day-long thunderstorm in a parking lot in Mississippi, but the unit began working after a few miles the next day, and worked through several days of intense rain while I was riding. But the glitch wasn't in the on/off switch, I'm pretty sure, since I have a water immersion-rated switch.

I tried to reason out my dip switch settings, but still had to make a few trials. Once I got it right it's been great, except for some surging at very low speeds, 25 miles an hour or so, if I'm not careful to adjust the throttle to the desired speed before engaging.

I've run mine at an indicated 110 mph on the cruise, and it works just fine.

Moto