Self Cancelling Turn Signals

[Mr. Fixit]

As I am designing my scratch built steering column, I wanted to include self cancelling turn signals and horn button. As a motorcycle owner/enthusiast and builder, I knew of a product that would do the job and wanted to share it with you all.

Here is the link to Signal Dynamics. They have a lot of great products that we can all use in our builds, but specifically this link is for the lighting control for self cancelling signals. In order for this to work, each side (left and right) has to have a momentary NC (normally closed) switch as would typically be used on each side of a motorcycle handle bar as an example. I will be incorporating this type of set up in my column which will be actuated by a standard type turn signal lever. As I get further along with this, I will post photos of the inner workings.

http://www.signaldynamics.com/lighting_control.htm

 

[Mr. Fixit]

Oops, as I just re-read this I realized that I meant to state NO (normally open) for the switches.

 

[eafree]

Steve, this looks like a great add on. I can't wait to see the pictures of your column, I know that it will be quite fancy. Keep us posted.
Eric

 

[Mr. Fixit]

Steve, this looks like a great add on. I can't wait to see the pictures of your column, I know that it will be quite fancy. Keep us posted.
Eric

Oh boy, the pressure is on to make it nice. I will do my best. LOL

 

[PotvinGuy]

I have a design for real self-canceling (not timed) signals if anyone is interested. It doesn't involve the column and you can build it yourself for $50 or less.

 

[Steve R]

Plans would be great. Please post the plans.

 

[butch27]

Yes Potvin: Please show the plans.

 

[PotvinGuy]

OK, here is a link to the schematic: Picasa Web Albums - kerry - turn and hazard

Feel free to look at my other albums while you're there.

I can't figure how to link to a word doc , so here is how it works:

TURN SIGNALS & HAZARD FLASHER​

The circuit is based on two relays, which latch thru a set of their contacts when the matching button is pressed. The turn lights then connect to the flasher thru a second set of contacts and will flash until the relay releases. Both turn signals can be activated for a hazard function. The relays are released by pressing the manual cancel button, or by the self-canceling action of a normally-open magnetic switch. The magnetic switch is mounted such that it will close when a magnet, mounted on some moving part of the steering system, is brought into proximity as the car makes a turn. These switches and magnets are commonly used as door and window alarms in home alarm systems.


I used some Radio Shack relays I had, but any relay with a 12VDC coil and the needed contacts can be used. The buttons can be mounted anywhere. I put them in a small project box on the seat riser, convenient to my hand. You can add indicator lights if desired. If you are using LED turn lights, you will probably need to add some more load, such as a resistor or incandescent light, to get a typical flasher to work, or get one of the new flashers made for LED's. I mounted the magnetic switch on the frame rail near the steering shaft, and epoxied the magnet to the shaft so it was on the opposite side when the wheels were straight, and would rotate around and activate the switch when the shaft turned. Use tape to temporarily locate the switch and magnet until you get the action desired, then mount them permanently. In some installations, such as a drag link or cross-steer link, two magnets might be needed, one for each direction.

 

[Rick]

In this set up to make a tad simpler i would go with a delay relay and a small prox. switch.We use prox. switchs 1/4" round by about 1 1/2 long.You'll need a n/c(normally closed)Prox and a bead of weld on the shaft.These prox's work from .010 to .060 range from the trigger.When you turn the wheel the trigger(the weld) trips the relay and how ever long you set the rela it cancels out the turn signal.IMO

 

[tnoftsger]

Potvin,

I like this idea, and maybe even Rick's proxy switches. But for those of us less electrically educated. Can you elaborate or clarify the drawing a little.

 

[putz]

Here you go potvin

 

[PotvinGuy]

Sure. The squiggly thing with "50" is a 50 ohm resistor. The items labeled "L", "R", and "cancel" are normally-open pushbuttons. The curly things with dotted lines and switch contacts are the relays. They need to operate on 12 volts and have at least two sets of normally-open contacts. The Radio Shack relays I used are DPDT (double-pole, double-throw), which means they have two sets of contacts, each set with a normally-open contact and a normally-closed contact. We use the normally-open contact and ignore the other one. Relays seem to puzzle some rodders, but they are just switches controlled by electricity instead of your finger. The flasher is an ordinary automotive one.

The bottom of the resistor goes to ground, and you can see the other wires going to the positive battery voltage, or to the turn signals.

Lemme know if I can help more. I've wired lotsa rods.

 

[eafree]

Has anyone used this setup. I have a couple of questions on the hook up of the wiring. My harness has a turn signal flasher and an emergency flasher and were does the brake light switch tie into the switch setup. I have two power wires to supply power, should I hook bth of them up or eliminate one. Thanks for any help.

Eric

 

[Old Rotor Flap]

I took a quick look at the Signal Dynamics turn signal timer and I'm guessing it's based on a 555 chip.

You can make one of these set ups from the information found when you Google; 555 timer circuits.

 

[rooster57]

I think the drawing has a flaw . Who can guess what it is

 

[WEDRVIT]

A 68570-94 H-D TS module with a magnetic reed switch mounted near the drive shaft and three small magnets on the driveshaft. Two momentary switches for left & right. All this will get you four different speed and distance cancellation rates and hazard flasher along with being waterproof. I used a Racerboy shift knob that has the four buttons mounted in it. Harley

 

[Old Rotor Flap]

I'm not sure I understand Putz's drawing, but then again I might know a little about helicopters and cars and I'm still learning about money.

I don't know the reason for the N.O. magnetic switch and 50 Ohm resister.

I think the N.O cancel switch should be a N.C. switch unless it's the ignation switch or Master Power On switch, however this would then be a constant drain through the resister as would be the case each time the magnetic switch closed.

I think the left and right switches could be replaced with a SPDT ON-OFF-ON toggle switch with the center OFF being a manually activated cancel.

The relays could be replaced with single pole relays at a slightly lower cost...... gee, maybe I am learnig about money.

 

[putz]

It is not my drawing I posted it for potvinguy that just posted a link

 

[rooster57]

Bingo flap the n/o switch should be n/c and should be in the ground circuit to replace the resistor. The magnetic or halleffect switch should be also n/c and to function properly should be a pair of them just below the relay coil on the right and the left. The 4 ways are achieved by pressing the two n/o pushbuttons at the same time and the cancel n/c button will clear the 4 ways. or you can add a 4 way flasher if you want with a seperate maintained switch and 2 blocking diodes.
JMHO :hiding:

 

[rooster57]

I have built a few circuits and to tell the truth i purchased the signal dynamics module from speedway and it does everything, its the size of a matchbox and is flawless. One press of the right or left turn pushbutton is for lane change hold it for two seconds and its times for turn signals hold them both and the 4 ways are on.Flawless i like it a lot.