ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: PaulZero on July 02, 2020, 01:06:40 AM
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Anyone installed an aftermarket brake flasher like Gearbrake or specifically the Healtech Brake Light pro?
I noticed there are 4 wires to the brake light, I can understand having 3 but not 4, unless it’s a monitored light? Or maybe support for a regen flash versus physical brake application?
Anyone know what the wire layout is?
I assume:
Black = ground
Brown = 12v
White (red stripe) = not sure, shows 13.25v on meter
White (black stripe) = brake? Shows 0, then 8v on brake depress.
I’d like to know the layout before I buy an aftermarket unit.
Thx,
Paul.
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Ahh... Yeah.
Ground
Power (usually from the power to the tail light)
Brake input
Brake output
Lemme find my gearbrake diagram. I needed to dig it out since I was ordering the clips I needed.
Here we go: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0497/6973/files/Smart_Brake_Light_Module.pdf?16997016849763277021
So the Gearbrake has a different color set than yours, but that's the procedure.
-Crissa
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That makes sense. Thanks Crissa.
Shame the Gearbrake isn’t sold in the UK where I am. The Healtech isn’t compatible with this return set up which I think is also referred to as ‘monitored’.
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@PaulZero
Weird.. i'm waiting on a unit from them now and i'm even further away from GearBrake than you..
Granted, i suspect they are about to disappear from the internet. They are selling out their stock and i got the unit for $5..
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@MrBlc - I’m jealous! I missed out on that offer, they are out of stock now but in any event no dealers/distributors here in the UK. 😭
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@PaulZero
No.. it's still available:
https://gearbrake.com/collections/shop/products/gearbrake-smart-brake-light-module?variant=15412516099
You just need a PayPal account and a large amount of patience. All shipping internationally is super slow nowadays..
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@MrBlc - thanks!
I just saw the Flashing unit, didn’t realise there was another. Cheers! 👍
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I kinda wish I'd gotten the flashing unit now ^-^;
-Crissa
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@PaulZero
Anytime :)
Happy to help
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I ordered a non-flashing GearBrake on 7/4, and it just arrived today. Now to figure out how to install it on my SF/F...
Thanks for the tip about their clearance prices. It looks like the gearbrake.com website is now gone.
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Rather than cutting the bike wiring, see if you can get appropriate connectors to just plug it into the harness. You may decide to remove the device or install something else. If so, it is an easy job to just reconnect. It is also nice when selling a bike to note that the wiring is entirely intact.
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That's what I'm doing. I don't think the manual has pictures of the F platform connectors! So take pictures when you're in there ^-^
I got a few four-pin connectors like the three-pin brake connector to give a snap-in-place for the GearBrake. The thread of my search for connectors is over here https://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=10256.msg93243#msg93243 and I ended up buying them from Cycle Terminal.
-Crissa
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Hi all.
First post in the forum... I'm also trying to install a GearBrake on an SR/F. Here's what I've learned so far.
A) Slightly different observation on black striped wire (measured from bike harness unplugged from brake light)
Black = ground
Brown = 12v
White (red stripe) = ~13.3v on meter (relative to black ground wire)
*White (black stripe) = 8v (relative to black ground wire) when brake level is released. 0v when brake is squeezed.
PaulZero can you confirm this on your bike?
B) The SR/F brake light connector is a four-pin AMP 1.5 Superseal Series Sealed connector. I sourced from CycleTerminal and have confirmed fit on the bike. http://www.cycleterminal.com/amp-superseal-connectors.html
C) GearBrake sent me a wiring diagram that only uses three of its four wires (blue goes unused):
GearBrake Green wire to bike ground
GearBrake Red wire to bike 12v
GearBrake Yellow wire to bike "brake signal"
GearBrake Blue wire unused
I've seen other GearBrake diagrams online that use all four...hard to know if they are different revisions or just different options for wiring.
My initial test on the GearBrake shows potential difference between the yellow and blue wires to be 0v when on a flat surface and ~8v when inclined. Seems opposite of what the SR/F brake lever signals to the brake light. Also seems to me that the GearBrake is more of an inclinometer and not an accelerometer. Before connecting to the bike I'll do some more testing but what would be really useful is a description/diagram of the GearBrake internal design/operation/logic...
D) SR/F turn signal connectors look to be the single wire Molex connector from the SDS platform as linked to by Crissa and as found in the unofficial Zero manual. I have yet to purchase the connector to confirm fit.
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Fernando - hi,
Yes that's the same I see on my SR/F. Good work on finding the connectors. I wish I had found these before I cut my wires. I fitted a Healtech which isn't compatible despite being told otherwise, it simply acts as a pass through with no function. I have a Gearbrake in transit now. I've put bullets on my wires so the device will be easy to add when it arrives, and I'll heat shrink over those. I think you should add your post to the Zero unofficial manual Gen3 section, definitely better NOT to cut the original wires.
Have you got the 'flashing' Gearbrake? Is that the version that claims an accelerometer? If it's an inclinometer then it would throw false positives - flash when on an incline? I've got the non flashing version on the way.
On turn indicators, yes, quite simple. I replaced the parachute rear fender with a R&G tail tidy and retained the original indicators. I may put in LED indicators later but there isn't a lot of space under the pillion seat for the relays. I could remove the little storage insert I suppose.
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It sounds like there's no additional relay required for led indicators, just a hidden setting in the F-platform software.
https://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=9642.msg93417#msg93417
-Crissa
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Thanks Crissa. You are an encyclopaedia of EF threads. 😉
I called my dealer and indeed he can order a LED indicator set (all 4) from Zero.
I assume these will operate in daytime running mode, ie always on when the bike is on and then sweep amber according to turn indication?
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Some more findings:
The SR/F brake light has the rear running light and the brake actuated light. It seems the brake light is actuated by taking the white (black stripe) wire to ground...it's a ground switched circuit. The assumption here is that there are two separate circuits, one circuit being brown 12v and black ground for the running light, and the second circuit being the white (red stripe) 12v, and white (black stripe) ground for the brake light.
I also did some more testing with the GearBrake (I have the non-flashing version). It only seems like an inclinometer if its mounted level so the sensitivity is high...any declines cause the brake to light. However if mounted with an incline the sensitivity is lowered and it very obviously works as an accelerometer as long as its not at a very steep decline. This may be a non-issue by running the calibration procedure, I'll have to test.
So, I think this all means its possible to install a the GearBrake on the SR/F but it'll take some more effort:
1) Install will need a normally-open (NO) relay. The yellow and blue wires of the GearBrake would power/control the relay with the load being a tap from the white (black stripe) wire and a tap from the black wire. (A diagram would clear this up, forthcoming if I get a chance.)
2) As it's possible that either or both of circuits powering the brake light are actually from the MBB, a regular automotive relay will NOT do. The back EMF of a coil relay would likely kill the MBB...its not worth assuming the MBB has built-in protection. It'll have to be a solid state relay which completely isolates the control side from the load side of the relay.
3) Finally, my electrical knowledge gets fuzzy as to the advantages of adding diodes to further protect the MBB... I'll do more research here. I'll also share a bill of materials once it's figured out.
PaulZero if you have the time and equipment I recommend soldering your connections to prevent issues down the road. Posi-Taps would be a great alternative otherwise, they provide a more secure connection than bullets.
As to the LED indicators from Zero, they're in the 2020 accessory catalog but without a description of how they work. I doubt they'll sweep, most OEM LED indicators work as standard flashing units. For the price they're probably asking, it may be worth looking as some of the indicators from Motogadget or Rizoma. Either way, as Crissa said, it'll require the dealer updating your bike for LED indicators...the issue is whether the update would work for aftermarket indicators or just the Zero indicators.
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Hi Fernando
Do you have an update on this? I ordered a Smart Brake Module because they said it was compatible
Only three wires in this module and I don't have to cut anything : https://imgur.com/a/KL55BGR
Reading your post I'm kinda a bit scared to try if I risk frying the MBB
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There shouldn't be anything to fry on the mainboard.
-Crissa
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Based on the great info from Crissa and Fernando, and my own testing, I'm installing an extra brake light (maybe two) using an opto-isolated relay circuit. It's possible that a simple relay would do, but I don't know that for sure. And those isolated relay circuits are dirt cheap on Amazon, $11 for a pack of 10. Do I need ten? Not today, but I've used them here and there for similar things. Also on my Tesla you can't just wire the trailer lights willy-nilly, they need an isolation circuit, so I assume the same could be true here. Can't hurt, and it's cheap and easy. I'll make a new post when it's done and include all the details.
I could not deal with that hideous contraption on the fender. This new frame includes tail, stop, and turn lights.
Oh, and I also asked Smart Turn Systems whether the ST2 smart brake module would understand this, and work. I haven't heard back.
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I forgot to add that Paul (OP) had different results than I did. I got these voltages, and also, the brake voltage changes if you disconnect the light. It needs to be tested with the light connected.
White 13.8v
Brown 13.8v
Black ground
White-black 11v until you press the brake, then ground