Trailtech computer install

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lemmy
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Trailtech computer install

Post by lemmy »

I have read some old posts and I am still confused about the power connection. The guy that took his KDX to trail tech said they hooked it up to the headlight (I assume the headlight side of the headlight switch), but then he said the headlight doesn't have to be on for it to work, only for the backlight to work. I just called trailtech and the guy said it wouldn't run off of the internal battery. I read to him out of their manual where it said it would run off the internal power and he still said they didn't recommend it. He said to hook to magneto side of headlight switch, but then turn on the headlight to make the power somewhat regulated.

I was planning on putting it on the headlight side of the switch. That way it would run off of the internal battery if the headlight is off, and then run off of the somewhat regulated power if the headlight is on. Would this work?

Also, which mount works best with the KDX? Will this one work:
http://www.trailtech.net/022-SO.html
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Post by DeSoto Flyer »

Not sure if that will work or not. I installed a TrailTech Endurance computer on my 06 KDX and used this mount:

http://www.trailtech.net/020-TM.html

It bolts right on with zero modifications, and looks great. I really didn't need the extra features of the Vapor, nor did I want to go thru the hassle of powering it.
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TWMOODY
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Post by TWMOODY »

The Vapor is nice BUT....................
Power is an issue with the KDX.
Trailtech "SAYS" :roll: you can hook up to the headlight switch
but I know and I tried everything and it does not work properly.
It interferes with the tach.

I have also installed on my 09 KX450F and have issues with the
tach on that.
It don't work like the directions say !
lemmy
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Post by lemmy »

Can you just run the computer off of the internal battery? The manual says you can, but I called them and they said it wouldn't work.

Or I wonder if you build a small circuit with a linear regulator that runs off of the regulated headlight voltage. Might make the supply much cleaner and not interfere with the tach. Does anyone know what the voltage level is on the headlights?
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MXOldtimer
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Post by MXOldtimer »

Can't help you with wiring since have the Endurance.

Mounting, I put mine on the crossbar in the pad.

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Post by gertie6car »

Hi MXOldertimer, unusual to see two kill buttons, does one have another purpose or is it so you can kill the motor from either side of the bars?
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Post by DirtBikeDad »

>|<>QBB<
gertie6car wrote:Hi MXOldertimer, unusual to see two kill buttons, does one have another purpose or is it so you can kill the motor from either side of the bars?
Left side -> kill switch....Right side -> lights :supz:
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Post by september9 »

I read through all of the posts that I could find on the Vapor on a KDX too. I just ended up wiring my Vapor to a 9 volt battery that I mounted to the bike. Runs a long time and when the battery gets low, just replace it. I haven't noticed any power problems or weird tach problems, but I don't watch it all that often.

I think that I got the 9V battery idea from somebody here.

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TWMOODY
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Post by TWMOODY »

Can you just run the computer off of the internal battery?


Yes you can and it will last for most of the season however the backlight,
tach lights and shift lights won't work without external power.
Not that they really matter :rolleyes:
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Post by lemmy »

I am going to try to build a halfweve rectifier with a schottky diode, 1000uF cap, and an adjustable regulator set to 6.2V. The regulator has a dropout of .380V so as long as I get 6.6V then it should work fine. I hooked up a 9V battery an the Vapor pulls 3.5mA at 9V but of course that doesn't include any of the shift lights or temp lights (but those shouldn't be on all of the time). So I simulated with a 10mA load and even at idle the regulator should have 7.2V input which is plenty. If this doesn't work, I will just use a 9V battery. With the backlight always on, but no shift lights, a 9V battery would last 178 hours.
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TWMOODY
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Post by TWMOODY »

Or you could just bolt one of these on your forks :lol:

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lemmy
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Post by lemmy »

Well I ended up not needing anything at all. I just hooked the power up to the light and everything works fine. The tach is very smooth just like it is when it is using the internal battery or a 9V battery. There was no difference at all.
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TWMOODY
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Post by TWMOODY »

Could be they found and fixed the problem.
Good for you :supz:
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Post by ivan_j »

I think I found how to improve tacho problem.
I've installed 8 LEDs for backlight and tacho is not crazy anymore.
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