Introduction: Stylish Lighting, Personalized Riding
According to reports, the global motorcycle lighting market is projected to grow from $4.67 billion in 2024 to $6.5 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.22%. Currently, the application of ACC technology and wiring modifications are undoubtedly hot topics of discussion. Some high-end motorcycle brands have already begun to use ACC-related intelligent lighting technology as a selling point to attract consumers, such as Ducati, BMW, Suzuki, and so on.
Previously, Colight collaborated with Living off the Slab on YouTube for a perfect review on how to wire ACC for the Colight D07 Pro series and control the strobe function with a single horn press. This collaboration attracted numerous fans' admiration and discussion!
This time, we are going to explore a highly unique method of modifying motorcycle lights—how to wire ACC to control the strobe function with your horn. Drawing on the previously mentioned review case, we will delve into the practical application of the Colight D07 Pro series on a Triumph motorcycle.
What Is ACC?
ACC(Adaptive Cruise Control).In the electrical system of a motorcycle, the ACC wire is used to control the power supply to devices such as headlights. Its main advantages include:
- Power Control: The ACC line supplies power only when the motorcycle key is turned on and automatically cuts off power when the engine is off, preventing battery drain due to accidental operation.
- Convenient Modification: By tapping into the ACC line, you can easily power devices such as spotlights and USB chargers without having to directly draw power from the battery.
- Smart Control: In combination with the headlight control system, the ACC line can achieve automatic switching on and off of the headlights as well as brightness adjustment.
From the perspective of warning others, the effect of the Colight D07 Pro series is much stronger than that of ordinary lights. In some special situations, such as emergency braking or encountering unexpected situations, the strobe light can quickly convey danger signals to surrounding vehicles, reminding them to maintain a safe distance or prepare to give way. Just like on the highway, the sudden flashing of the strobe light allows the drivers of following vehicles to react in the first place and avoid rear-end collisions.
Core Steps: ACC Wiring and Horn Control Setup
First, let's understand what is included in the Colight D07 Pro series. The package includes 2 D07 Pro lights, 1 wire harness, 2 yellow PC covers, and screws.
The key part of the wire harness includes relays, fuse boxes, overtaking wires, ACC, horn wires, positive and negative poles, switches, and wiring for two lights. The interfaces are designed to be waterproof to IP68 standards. According to the diagrams, you can also clearly understand the general framework of the wiring. The red wire is for ACC, the blue wire is for overtaking, and the green wire is for the horn.
However, Living off the Slab has taken a creative approach and successfully integrated the modification of the wiring and with the horn control strobe function.
Now, follow Living off the Slab and break down the installation steps one by one to find the answers we are looking for!
Locating the ACC
As he said,"The red wire (ACC wire) needs to be connected to a wire that is hot when the key is turned on. If the bike has an accessory port or an unused accessory plug. If the bike does not have one of those, you can use the license plate light or another keyed wire."
When it comes to ACC, Living off the Slab has previously used the license plate light as a trigger. Other models have experimented with using keyed accessory sockets. Tracing back from the light can be relatively straightforward; however, on some motorcycles, you may need to refer to the wiring diagram to determine its color.
The location of the ACC wire varies across different models but is typically found near the ignition switch or around the fuse box. For some common motorcycle brands and models, such as Honda's CB series, the ACC wire may be located within the wiring harness behind the ignition switch. These harnesses are usually protected by black plastic corrugated tubing to shield the wires from wear and environmental factors. You can carefully inspect the wires with color codes.Generally, the ACC wire might be red, yellow, or orange, but this is not a hard and fast rule as it can differ among models. You can consult your vehicle's service manual to locate the corresponding fuse, which will help you identify the ACC wire.
If you're uncertain which wire is the ACC wire, the safest method is to use a multimeter for measurement. Set the multimeter to the DC voltage range, then turn the ignition switch to the ON position and measure the voltage across each fuse in the fuse box. The wire that shows a voltage of around 12V when the ignition is on and disappears when it's off is likely the ACC wire. Alternatively, you can use a test light, connecting one end to the vehicle's ground and the other to the fuse or wire terminal. The wire that lights up the test light when the ignition is on and goes out when it's off is generally the ACC wire.
ACC Wiring Design
A wire tap was used to splice into the wiring, connecting the ACC to the other end of the license plate light connector instead of the traditional ACC interface. This is a creative modification. By using a low-voltage working component like the license plate light, you can determine the ACC switch status based on its operational state (lit or off), assuming the key is inserted. Subsequently, connect the positive and negative poles to the battery.
Wait a minute, why didn't the strobe function work when I pressed the speaker? Which step was wrong? Then read the analysis below! !
Connecting the Strobe Controller to the Horn Circuit
It turns out that Living off the Slab's initial design for the horn wire was to connect the green wire (horn wire) of the Colight D07 Pro series to the motorcycle's horn wiring, enabling the strobe function by holding the horn button for half a second to one second. However, during the actual operation, the brown wire was mistakenly identified as the horn wire when, in fact, the horn wire for the light is the black wire.
The strobe controller is the key component that enables the horn-controlled strobe function. It operates by detecting changes in the current on the horn circuit to trigger the flashing of the strobe light. When you press the horn button, current flows through the horn circuit. The strobe controller detects this current signal and then controls the strobe light to flash according to the preset pattern.
When connecting the strobe controller to the horn circuit, the first step is to locate the horn control wire, which is usually connected between the horn button and the horn itself. Generally, the horn control wire is brightly colored and easy to identify, but this can vary among different models. Carefully use a wire stripper to remove the insulation from both ends of the horn control wire and the strobe controller's input wire. Connect their cores together, either by twisting and wrapping with electrical tape or using a terminal block to ensure a secure and well-insulated connection.
Overtaking Wire Application
In the United States, most motorcycles do not have an overtaking button design, and the overtaking wire usually connects to the high beam of the headlight. In specific driving scenarios, honking to overtake can often cause annoyance and even road rage. Additionally, it is illegal to have both the DRL and high beam on simultaneously. Therefore, Living off the Slab did not connect this wire. Of course, in other countries, wiring should be done according to local laws, and you can also choose to connect it to other purpose lights such as position lights or turn signals.
Wire Organization and Fixing
After completing all the wiring connections, do not overlook the step of organizing and fixing the wires. If excess wires are not organized, they may vibrate and move during riding, easily rubbing against other components, causing the wire insulation to wear and potentially leading to short circuits and other safety issues.
Use zip ties or wire looms to bundle the wires together and fix them along the motorcycle frame or other fixed components. The spacing of the zip ties should be moderate, neither too loose nor too tight. Too loose may cause the wires to move, while too tight might damage the wire insulation. Fix the wires away from high-temperature components and moving parts, such as the engine, exhaust pipe, wheels, and chains, to avoid damage from heat or being pulled by moving parts.
Summary and Outlook: Enjoying Personalized Riding
Achieving horn-controlled strobe functionality for the Colight D07 Pro series through ACC wiring not only adds a unique charm to your ride but also enhances riding safety to some extent. Looking back at the entire modification process, from locating the ACC wire to performing the wiring operations, connecting the hron with the horn circuit, and finally conducting testing and optimization, every step requires our meticulous attention to ensure the accuracy and safety of the details.
During the modification process, it is essential to strictly follow traffic regulations to ensure that the light modifications comply with local rules. Safety should always be the top priority, and the strobe light should be used reasonably to avoid causing interference to other road users.
If you have successfully completed this modification, feel free to leave a comment and share your modification experience and results, allowing more motorcycle enthusiasts to benefit from it. You can also showcase photos of your modified motorcycle to display the cool strobe effect.
As technology continues to advance and motorcycle culture flourishes, the possibilities for personalized motorcycle modifications will only increase. We can look forward to more innovative modification solutions and high-quality modification accessories emerging, making our motorcycles even more unique and tailored to our individual personalities. Whether it comes to lighting, performance, or appearance, there is an endless creative space waiting for us to explore. Let's enjoy the fun of personalized riding and continue to pursue a more exciting riding experience on the path of modifications!
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