headlight modulators legal

[eddiekay]

I think i recall one of the members saying that he carried around a copy of some federal type document, to show to the police if stopped, that headlight modulators were legal in all 50 states....
does anyone know what I'm talking about ? Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this doc ?

[noche_caliente]

if you google headlight modulators and code, you should find it pretty easily - that's what I've done in the past - or look for some old posts about the bike monkey integrated tail light group buy, the link to the code about lighting is in there somewhere too

[2WheelGuy]

http://fmvss108.tripod.com/fmvss108text.htm

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either

the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser

intensity, provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 <plus-minus> 40 cycles per

minute.

(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70

percent of each cycle.

(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17

percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the

beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper

beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its

sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation

shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament

light operating at 3000 deg. Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25

foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than

60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) 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 shall not be greater

than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the

standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.

(h) Means shall 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.

S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as

original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum

wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally,

each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when

connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the

minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam

functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.

(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the

light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the

road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.

[eddiekay]

Thanks for 2 excellent replies, following noche's suggestion...here's a link to a short version of the code, small enough to stuff in your pocket.

http://ca1i.bizland.com/files/chapte...TITLE%2049.pdf

Thanks as well to 2 wheel guy whose very complete reply came a few seconds later