DIY Sequential Tail Light

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Update

Today I received a 1st offer for development of the tail light housings internals in Asia.

I cracked all numbers I currently have available.
Honestly I don't know whether this is good or bad news: If I am going to produce a pilot series of a 100 tail lights, they will cost approx. USD 300.-
(kit would include a tail light replacing the OEM tail light, a wiring harness and a controller).

Please let me know what you think. Shall I continue with this project, or is it simply too expensive for you guys?

I will make a new video on youtube this week to demonstrate the current possibilities of the light.

Some features are:
  • All kit components are waterproof, controller can be placed in the tools compartment
  • Tail light setup is done with the bike's handlebar switches
  • Brake and turn indicator light colors are easy customizable and will be stored temporarily (for Starbuck events) or on command permanently (keeps settings after bike is switched off)
You can keep the turn indicators on your bike. It doesn't matter whether you have them still installed or removed and simulating the load with a resistor. But it is technically not possible to remove the turn indicators without putting a electric load to the connectors. Otherwise the bike's system detects a failure and inhibits blinking to avoid problems induced by possible "shorts".

The controller also allows direct connection of sequential turn lights (maybe you've seen the prototype on my youtube "channel").

There are currently four modes available for selection:
  • OEM - Tail light "behaves" like OEM one
  • China - Tail light "behaves" like the China tail lights currently on the market, plus harzard light detection
  • Sequential - Sequential turn indicators, brake light with "hard braking" flashing, it's also possible to force flashing manually to alert traffic from behind, plus hazard light detection
  • ACL - Same as Sequential mode, plus Anti Collision Lights (ACLs)


(list on page 6 updated)
 
Last edited:
For me, I'd say it's worth it. Obviously if cost could be reduced further, none of us consumers would complain but given the ...... options that are available at the moment and those ...... options costing anywhere from $150- $200, I'd gladly pay the difference for a superior product, especially as it relates to safety. I'd definitely be down for a fully customized taillight with all kinds of options for $300. Honestly, with all the work you've put in, I was thinking it would be more. Thanks again for all your efforts man. You deserve that $300, even though you don't "need" money ☺
 
Urs,

How is the brake light connected if it doesn't tap into the stock turn signal connectors for that signal? Is it through the DDA port cable under the tail? If so, that means we cannot concurrently run both the DDA and the tail light together, right?

As for the price, I honestly was expecting it to be more, so I'm still in. Obviously, if it was less, like DoubleO, no one would complain! :)
 
timwu12 said:
Urs,

How is the brake light connected if it doesn't tap into the stock turn signal connectors for that signal? Is it through the DDA port cable under the tail? If so, that means we cannot concurrently run both the DDA and the tail light together, right?

As for the price, I honestly was expecting it to be more, so I'm still in. Obviously, if it was less, like DoubleO, no one would complain! :)
Click to expand...

Good question! Controller is directly connected to the DDA port. DDA stick can be placed in parallel to the DDA port (would need an additional plug on the harness, I did not planned it yet to cut costs). Technically no problem at all.
It would also be possible to connect the turn light signals to the controller. But I find this solution not very neat and the harness get's even more expensive.
 
Gecko said:
Good question! Controller is directly connected to the DDA port. DDA stick can be placed in parallel to the DDA port (would need an additional plug on the harness, I did not planned it yet to cut costs). Technically no problem at all.
It would also be possible to connect the turn light signals to the controller. But I find this solution not very neat and the harness get's even more expensive.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Ideally, I'd like to run both in parallel, but I'm wondering if Ducati sells that plug separately
 
Look indistinguishable from OEM?

Gecko said:
I decided to run tinted...
Almost minimal absorption for any color: so "party", "police", "tricolore" and "double0" mode will work.
I am still working on getting the housings, it has been promised that I would get a sample in approx. two weeks. Even though its from China it's going to be pretty expensive and I can't afford to order multiple different colours for the lenses :(
Click to expand...

Great work and cost very reasonable, however I am attached to the red color lens of the OEM housing. I would pay premium get housing that would be indistinguishable from OEM look and color. Is that possible?
I am grateful for all your time, efforts and contributions to this forum.
Thank you,
Alan
Anniversario #147
 
Gecko said:
Yeah, I'd love to live in the States.
If I can't get my hands on a non-ABS Panigale, hard brake detection and setup menu auto-off function wouldn't work on these bikes. No big deal.
I guess I will send you some test rig in the winter to do some measurements for me. Logic can be reprogrammed later on.
Click to expand...

No problemo, love to help anyway I can!
 
Briese said:
Great work and cost very reasonable, however I am attached to the red color lens of the OEM housing. I would pay premium get housing that would be indistinguishable from OEM look and color. Is that possible?
I am grateful for all your time, efforts and contributions to this forum.
Thank you,
Alan
Anniversario #147
Click to expand...
It's a question of volume. Prepping the injection molding machine for only a couple of housings is really very expensive :(
 
Gecko said:
Today I received a 1st offer for development of the tail light housings internals in Asia.

I cracked all numbers I currently have available.
Honestly I don't know whether this is good or bad news: If I am going to produce a pilot series of a 100 tail lights, they will cost approx. USD 300.-
(kit would include a tail light replacing the OEM tail light, a wiring harness and a controller).

Please let me know what you think. Shall I continue with this project, or is it simply too expensive for you guys?

I will make a new video on youtube this week to demonstrate the current possibilities of the light.

Some features are:
  • All kit components are waterproof, controller can be placed in the tools compartment
  • Tail light setup is done with the bike's handlebar switches
  • Brake and turn indicator light colors are easy customizable and will be stored temporarily (for Starbuck events) or on command permanently (keeps settings after bike is switched off)
You can keep the turn indicators on your bike. It doesn't matter whether you have them still installed or removed and simulating the load with a resistor. But it is technically not possible to remove the turn indicators without putting a electric load to the connectors. Otherwise the bike's system detects a failure and inhibits blinking to avoid problems induced by possible "shorts".

The controller also allows direct connection of sequential turn lights (maybe you've seen the prototype on my youtube "channel").

There are currently four modes available for selection:
  • OEM - Tail light "behaves" like OEM one
  • China - Tail light "behaves" like the China tail lights currently on the market, plus harzard light detection
  • Sequential - Sequential turn indicators, brake light with "hard braking" flashing, it's also possible to force flashing manually to alert traffic from behind, plus hazard light detection
  • ACL - Same as Sequential mode, plus Anti Collision Lights (ACLs)


(list on page 6 updated)
Click to expand...

Gecko I have been following your post since the beginning. I like you have been waiting for the Motodynamic tail light. My wife even went so far as to write them a few time on Facebook asking what is going on.

I would love to be apart of your 100 first batch of production units. I think the price point is fair for what you are getting and best of all it is from a forum member!
 
That price is totally fine by me! I thought it was going to be quite a bit more also! I'm still in it with ya! You're top notch mang!

I'm gonna ditch my indicators altogether and put resistors in. Man I hope we can fill these orders up!
 
timwu12 said:
awesome video and even more awesome features!

I can't even begin to imagine how much coding went into this device, great work!
Click to expand...

LOL! I had a couple of sleepless nights. And it's still going on.
Effectively it's about 2000 lines of C++ code, not counting the analysis and test software :)
The problem was to design some sort of pseudo-multitasking for these small microprocessors, restrict memory consumption and the CAN bus analysis, but it's real fun. The more wishes come from you guys, the more creative I get :)
 
Gecko said:
Today I received a 1st offer for development of the tail light housings internals in Asia.

I cracked all numbers I currently have available.
Honestly I don't know whether this is good or bad news: If I am going to produce a pilot series of a 100 tail lights, they will cost approx. USD 300.-
(kit would include a tail light replacing the OEM tail light, a wiring harness and a controller).

Please let me know what you think. Shall I continue with this project, or is it simply too expensive for you guys?

I will make a new video on youtube this week to demonstrate the current possibilities of the light.

Some features are:
  • All kit components are waterproof, controller can be placed in the tools compartment
  • Tail light setup is done with the bike's handlebar switches
  • Brake and turn indicator light colors are easy customizable and will be stored temporarily (for Starbuck events) or on command permanently (keeps settings after bike is switched off)
You can keep the turn indicators on your bike. It doesn't matter whether you have them still installed or removed and simulating the load with a resistor. But it is technically not possible to remove the turn indicators without putting a electric load to the connectors. Otherwise the bike's system detects a failure and inhibits blinking to avoid problems induced by possible "shorts".

The controller also allows direct connection of sequential turn lights (maybe you've seen the prototype on my youtube "channel").

There are currently four modes available for selection:
  • OEM - Tail light "behaves" like OEM one
  • China - Tail light "behaves" like the China tail lights currently on the market, plus harzard light detection
  • Sequential - Sequential turn indicators, brake light with "hard braking" flashing, it's also possible to force flashing manually to alert traffic from behind, plus hazard light detection
  • ACL - Same as Sequential mode, plus Anti Collision Lights (ACLs)


(list on page 6 updated)
Click to expand...
Hey Gecko,

Thank you so much for your effort into this project. 300 is a bit much but worth every penny. still keep my count in for the tinted one.

Cheers!

Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Tapatalk
 
300 sounds pretty reasonably Urs, given the amount of R&D you put into this project! A new OEM replacement would probably be more expensive?

Very impressive new functions as well! Is it possible to switch the anti collision light off? Just worried about the reaction of our friendly cops with these switched on.
 
Phil1199 said:
300 sounds pretty reasonably Urs, given the amount of R&D you put into this project! A new OEM replacement would probably be more expensive?

Very impressive new functions as well! Is it possible to switch the anti collision light off? Just worried about the reaction of our friendly cops with these switched on.
Click to expand...
Yep, in 3rd mode ("sequential"). My GF already had an encounter with the police here in Switzerland (Zurich). Initially they thought that the brake light is defect. After she explained why it's flashing for road security, they fully agreed that this is good stuff an let her go.
I guess even the ACLs are no problem in Switzerland, since a lot of bicyles already have it installed.
 

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