Solid State Power Box

Has anyone received their solid state and installed it yet? Just curious about how the installs are going and how everything is working.

[Stahlgrau333]

The '79s had the switch, but it won't work until you modify it. They added a little tit to the back of the knob to block the switch from moving. Cut it off and the switch functions normally.

I just did this last week to my new '79 GS550.

I went out and looked, and sure enough, there's an On/Off switch there and it does work.

Looked again, and the 550 I'm working on is actually a '78, not a '79. Whoops.

[Stahlgrau333]

You don't want to put all the lights on a single circuit. Each is limited to 10 amps max and they are typically only 5 amps. Blinker/Brakes is 5-7 amps and Headlamp is 5 amps with peaks to 9. If you do LED's this would be different and combining some with headlamp might work.

Another alternative is that I "red wire" gang (special for you before I pot the PCB) the ACC and HEADLAMP channels so they both act in unison (as the HEADLAMP circuit currently does alone) and dim when the start is active. That would give you two 10 amp circuits to cut out while cranking.

Good points. I think leaving the headlamp on it's own separately-switched circuit is the best route to go. That would also allow me to play with things like HIDs or LED T/S and marker lights on their own circuits.

I wouldn't want to have you customize anything, as I want to be able to give accurate feedback on the design, and also because I may use the box on multiple bikes.

I think a manual switch in place of the 'Start' button - possibly even wiring the OEM On/Off switch in it's place - will work best.

[posplayr]

I'm glad to see that my thinking was in line with yours.

I don't believe the '79 came with a HL On/Off switch, so I was thinking that when I build the new harness I could tie all of the lights (except t/s) into a single manual switch on that circuit, using it in place of the 'Start' switch, but in reverse. Essentially, it would be an additional 'accessory' circuit in my application.

You don't want to put all the lights on a single circuit. Each is limited to 10 amps max and they are typically only 5 amps. Blinker/Brakes is 5-7 amps and Headlamp is 5 amps with peaks to 9. If you do LED's this would be different and combining some with headlamp might work.

Another alternative is that I "red wire" gang (special for you before I pot the PCB) the ACC and HEADLAMP channels so they both act in unison (as the HEADLAMP circuit currently does alone) and dim when the start is active. That would give you two 10 amp circuits to cut out while cranking.

[tkent02]

The '79s had the switch, but it won't work until you modify it. They added a little tit to the back of the knob to block the switch from moving. Cut it off and the switch functions normally.

I just did this last week to my new '79 GS550.

[Stahlgrau333]

If you want the headlamp to cut out while cranking you could leave the button connected . This would be in case you don't have a switch to turn on and off the light. Of course you would need to depress it to get the light to cutout while foot cranking.

If you leave the start input disconnected the headlamp will just come on with the ignition switch.

You could do something like detect when you are cranking (I think other bikes put a diode onto the stator AC to get a DC signal and use that to signal the SSBP start input to cutout the headlamp for a fixed delay. You would have to figure out a simple way to so that. I cant add a fixed time delay into the SSPB any easy way; It doesn't have any software inside.

Something simple might be an RC time delay driving a FET to create the start signal for a period after you start cranking.

I'm glad to see that my thinking was in line with yours.

I don't believe the '79 came with a HL On/Off switch, so I was thinking that when I build the new harness I could tie all of the lights (except t/s) into a single manual switch on that circuit, using it in place of the 'Start' switch, but in reverse. Essentially, it would be an additional 'accessory' circuit in my application.

[posplayr]

So, it occurred to me this morning that on the bike I plan to use this one, I will be deleting the electric starter and related circuit altogether (kick-start only).

Looking over the diagram, it does not appear that this will be an issue, but I WILL be left with this brilliantly-designed, yet unused 'Start Switch' circuit.

Is there anything I'm missing? Will running this unit in a 'kicker only' application present any issues that I'm not seeing? Any ideas for alternative usage of the 'relay mod' switch?

If you want the headlamp to cut out while cranking you could leave the button connected . This would be in case you don't have a switch to turn on and off the light. Of course you would need to depress it to get the light to cutout while foot cranking.

If you leave the start input disconnected the headlamp will just come on with the ignition switch.

You could do something like detect when you are cranking (I think other bikes put a diode onto the stator AC to get a DC signal and use that to signal the SSBP start input to cutout the headlamp for a fixed delay. You would have to figure out a simple way to so that. I cant add a fixed time delay into the SSPB any easy way; It doesn't have any software inside.

Something simple might be an RC time delay driving a FET to create the start signal for a period after you start cranking.

[Stahlgrau333]

So, it occurred to me this morning that on the bike I plan to use this on, I will be deleting the electric starter and related circuit altogether (kick-start only).

Looking over the diagram, it does not appear that this will be an issue, but I WILL be left with this brilliantly-designed, yet unused 'Start Switch' circuit.

Is there anything I'm missing? Will running this unit in a 'kicker only' application present any issues that I'm not seeing? Any ideas for alternative usage of the 'relay mod' switch?

[posplayr]

Happy Thanksgivings everyone.

I have gone back through my records and have either emailed or PM'ed people that had previously confirmed they wanted a SSPB.

If you have not already received an email from me and you want to get in on orders shipped by Dec 10th 2013 then email me at SolidStatePowerBox@gmail.com for more info.

[gsgeezer]

Thanks again, Jim; I sent you a p.m. to get on your list for the board.

[posplayr]

checkout the additional YouTube videos posted at the head of the thread.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=210261

Just a reminder. These will be $150 + Shipping for the initial production run with a 3 year limited warranty meaning I will fix or replace the units. The units should be robust but if something breaks and I learn something I will either fix it unless there is a chronic problem I will replace it with the next generation.


So if you want to place an order:

1. send me an email at SolidStatePowerBox@gmail.com including your GSR handle.
2. Please specify what heatsink style you want. (Tabless is the smallest and most flexible)
3. Please specify the bike it is to be installed on.
4. If you know what R/R let me know
5. If you have a picture of the mounting location that shows the relation to the R/R , solenoid relay and fuse box this will help will help avoid any potential issues early on with wire length or fit.

[posplayr]

The total height of the modified blade box and mount is 40 mm.It's close but I think your box will just clear.

Thanks,
That is wild how far out that R/R is sticking out; Does the side cover fit over that??? At 40mm that is 1.575" which is slightly less than the SSPB with steel LED mounts at 1.625".

There is probably going to be some frame interference putting in the SSPB in that original location; a tabless design shifted closer to the R/R would probably do similar to your solution.

The total height of the modified blade box and mount is 40 mm.It's close but I think your box will just clear.

[posplayr]

Ready to go whenever you are Jim.... No huge rush either though! Whatever is easiest for you.

Dan,
I'll be sending out emails soon.

Happy Turkey Day
Jim

[salty_monk]

Ready to go whenever you are Jim.... No huge rush either though! Whatever is easiest for you.