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| Installation instructions must be followed exactly and all steps completed prior to applying power or the unit will be damaged. Connecting the unit backwards will damage the unit. |
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If you need installation support (please see note*) 2. The link is used for ordering wiring diagrams. Note |
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Problem
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| We are using this particular
example to reveal what takes place more times than not. We are providing this exchange so you can see the results of an incorrect installation. The customer bought a closeout model headlight modulator and returned it because he said it didn't work. We didn't find anything wrong and agreed to give him credit toward one of the newer models. He insisted that he knew what he was doing and did everything correctly. Customer: I installed the replacement modulator tonight and it doesn't work either. It actually blows the motorcycle fuse when switched On. Prior to installing the unit I took great pains to insure it was connected properly and used a multi meter to confirm each wire of my circuit plug. I also tried it on my bench power supply and it makes the supply go into overload protection. I'm an electrical engineer so I understand electronics. Can I send this thing back for a refund? As much as I want it to work, I'm tired of messing with it. Us: Sorry but that won't be possible. I can tell you without any doubt that you've connected the unit backwards. If it's blowing the fuse or putting a power supply in overload then you've blown the suppression diode in the circuit which prevents total destruction. Note: We sent him a photo of the component in question and suggested he open the case and check the diode with an ohmmeter. Customer: Thanks for the picture and explanation. I took the box apart and checked the diode. Not only was it shorted, but the top was blown off. I replaced the diode and hooked it up to my bench power supply. It worked fine. Before I hook it to the bike I'm going to go through the wiring again and double check things. |
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Be sure to check your battery, especially after all the testing on an installation. A customer called explaining he was sure everything was connected properly but the unit he was installing would not work properly. We suggested he remove the unit and perform a bench test which resulted in proper operation. He was really puzzled. We suggested that the battery should be checked as these small batteries can be depleted quickly when the electrical system and all the lights are on while installing an electrical device. He called later advising that he'd charged the battery and now everything works as advertised. |
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WARNING ABOUT JUMP STARTING A customer recently had a dead battery after leaving the key on overnight and tried to start the motorcycle with a battery charger, rather than jumping from a battery, which caused a high voltage spike that damaged one of our brake light devices. Always charge the battery for a couple of hours and then disconnect the charger before cranking the engine which creates a very high load demand. It's best to jump with a battery that's not being charged at the time, either by portable charger or a running automobile engine. Voltage spikes over 18 volts can damage radios, GPS units and other electronics. Our units contain over voltage protection up to 18 volts without damage. Above that our protection component will short to protect the circuit board. |
| Question 1: Where is the wiring located for my lights for connection of the unit. Answer: Look inside of the tour pack (trunk) for the wiring that connects to the sockets. The wiring for the turn signals, if this feature is used, are found in the area of the signal lights or saddle bags as equipped. |
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| Question 2: Customer installed unit on a Gold Wing. Said it wasn't working and stated with an ohmmeter he identified a group of brown wires that had continuity to ground and this is where he connected our ground wire. We explained that Honda ground wires are green, as shown on the instructions, and brown is taillight. He'd checked the circuit with the bike off which provides a faulty test. This is one of the reasons we prefer a test light. Because of his test he decided our instructions must not be correct. Answer: We suggested he make the proper connection and see what happens. He wrote us the following message. Thank you for taking the time to set me straight on the Honda GL1800 wiring!!! I connected the ground to the GREEN wire as instructed and the device works perfectly!! |
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| Question 3: Customer called about an obsolete B8 Trunk Flasher. He told the receptionist is was beyond the 90 day support. We looked up his customer information finding it was actually purchased in 2003. He said one of the brake light bulbs went out and after replacing the bulb that side would no longer flash. We want to point out that we don't provide technical support for product that are obsolete or this old. Answer: We felt that his problem is worth mentioning as it can be applied to the new style flasher. Taillight/brake light bulbs usually have two filaments. These bulbs can be inserted incorrectly and they don't twist properly for correct alignment of the contacts in the socket. As power is applied the resulting short circuit can cause damage. |
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| TIPS - | |
| Question:
How do I bench test the TPK Tour Pack Flasher Unit? Answer: Connect either of the Orange/Black or Blue/Yellow wires (one at a time if using only one bulb for test) to a 12 volt bulb (even a test light is OK). The other terminal of the bulb or test light should be connected to negative (-) ground. Attach the Black ground wire to battery negative terminal first and then the Dark Blue wire to the battery positive terminal. Touching the Red brake sense wire to +12 volts should cause the bulbs to perform the selected flash sequence. You can even do the programming at this point in time. Remove the Red brake sense wire. Touch the Violet turn signal sense wire to +12 volts and the left light (orange/black wire) will illuminate. Touch the Brown turn signal sense wire to +12 volts and the right light (blue/yellow wire) will illuminate. The brake sequence will be interrupted from flashing whenever either of the turn signal sense wires has an applied voltage. If the unit passes these tests the unit is functioning properly. If either one of the two outputs fails to flash the respective light then that side has been blown. Whether the bulb is on steady and won't flash or not on at all depends on the conditions at the time the IC was blown. |
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 Always use a test light when checking circuits. |
© Kriss 2012 all rights reserved
