[Silly Little Cars] FYI- modulating headlights (a kind of flashing headlight) are allowed on motorcycles according to Federal Law.
HAL
hal1812 at yahoo.com
Wed Feb 23 19:41:18 PST 2011
In case you want a flashing headlight(s) on your Cushman or Interceptor, there are aftermarket circuits for this and I've even seen an Internet sight that explains how to build your own (but admits they were uncertain if it modulating within the allowed frequencies). Note, it also needs to include a light sensor to turn it off when there are levels of light lower than a certain level.
You might also want to consider having an off switch so you can turn it off during the day in case you get pulled over too much by police who are unaware this is legal for motorcycles (or unaware that your vehicle is a motorcycle). I'm debating on doing this as many motorcyclists believe cars notice them more with this, plus I also thought it might be a bit of fun.
Its from the Code of Federal Regulation 49 CFR Section 571.108 S10.17.5. (revised as of October 1, 2010). You can find the text at the Government Printing Office's website at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2010/octqtr/49cfr571.108.htm
or I've reproduced the text below. Have fun.
S10.17.5 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system. A headlamp on a
motorcycle may be activated to modulate either the upper beam or the
lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity, provided
that:
S10.17.5.1 Modulation.
(a) The rate of modulation must be 240 40
cycles per minute.
(b) The headlamp must be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70
percent of each cycle.
(c) The lowest intensity at any test point must be not less than 17
percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.
(d) The modulator switch must be wired in the power lead of the beam
filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.
(e) Means must be provided so that both the lower beam and upper
beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.
(f) The system must include a sensor mounted with the axis of its
sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation
must cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament
light operating at 3000[deg] Kelvin is either less than 270 lux of
direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux of
reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The light is measured by
a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and
pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak
R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing
downward pointing sensors.
(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure
9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test
conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems must not be greater
than 0.45 volt. The modulator must meet all the provisions of the
standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.
(h) Means must be provided so that both the lower and upper beam
function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either
the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.
S10.17.5.2 Replacement modulators. Each modulator not intended as
original equipment, or its container, must be labeled with the maximum
wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use.
S10.17.5.2.1 Replacement performance. Each modulator, not intended
as original equipment, must comply with S10.17.5.1 (a) through (g) when
connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the
minimum rated power, and must provide means so that the modulated beam
functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.
S10.17.5.2.2 Replacement instructions. Instructions, with a diagram,
must be provided for mounting the light sensor including location on the
motorcycle, distance above the road surface, and orientation with
respect to the light.
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