Legal to wire IU to ignition?

[CoolieND]

Short Form:

Quick question if anyone knows: Is there any law that the IU of a motorcycle be hard-wired into the battery rather than be tied to the bike's ignition or on a separate switch?

 

 

Long Form:

I'm just wondering since the battery on my bike went flat a while ago... when I went to the bike shop to get it changed, the guy there again linked the IU directly to the battery leads, and told me that the new, slim IU's drain batteries much quicker than the old, large ones, and further advised to detach the IU's wires when I leave the bike parked without starting it up for more than a month.

 

I didn't think to ask him at the time, but the thought occurred to me, if you tied the IU to the ignition, wouldn't that stop parasitic drain of the battery, allowing a bike to sit for longer without requiring disconnecting of the battery?

 

Please do share if you're in the know, I would prefer to not do the mod and then be told by Vicom / STA at inspection that must change this / that. Cheers!

[Tachnicolour]

Short Form:

Quick question if anyone knows: Is there any law that the IU of a motorcycle be hard-wired into the battery rather than be tied to the bike's ignition or on a separate switch?

 

 

Long Form:

I'm just wondering since the battery on my bike went flat a while ago... when I went to the bike shop to get it changed, the guy there again linked the IU directly to the battery leads, and told me that the new, slim IU's drain batteries much quicker than the old, large ones, and further advised to detach the IU's wires when I leave the bike parked without starting it up for more than a month.

 

I didn't think to ask him at the time, but the thought occurred to me, if you tied the IU to the ignition, wouldn't that stop parasitic drain of the battery, allowing a bike to sit for longer without requiring disconnecting of the battery?

 

Please do share if you're in the know, I would prefer to not do the mod and then be told by Vicom / STA at inspection that must change this / that. Cheers!

 

It is rather unlikely that you will get into trouble for that. The IU is simply a device which facilitates taxation of your vehicle based on travel into the tolled zones during operation hours. However, under the *absolute* black and white area governing usage of electronic devices tied in to your system, modification of the device by anyone other than their (vicom/sta/jic) technician could possibly be considered tampering with the IU. For whatever silly reason.

 

Having said that, I have yet to hear of anyone running into any kind of trouble for doing what you are suggesting done. Personally, my IU (slim) is wired through a relay to the fuse block to isolate it. I guess an easier way of doing it would be to attach the positive lead of the IU to a "switched" fuse in your fuse block. Headlights, tail lights fuse should work. Haven't tried that before, so not sure if any parasitic drain may occur even then. Guess it depends on where the switch is located, before or after. Can hook up to the low-beam connector at the headlight I reckon. When the ignition is on and those lights power up, the IU comes on with it at the same time.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Tachnicolour

[CoolieND]

Thanks for the quick response. I've had Vicom / STA point out things before which I just wouldn't think need noticing (tail plate light? IU bracket not spec?), but it's their job to follow LTA requirements, so can't really blame them...

 

Yea, I just don't know why the hook it up like that, guess it's easier for them to install & get to the IU's fuse, etc... I just don't want a dead battery when there's no need for it. Good info to think on, will have to talk to the mech. Cheers!

[ulysses_sc]

No need to be so uptight about how the IU is wired. As long as it works and you pay ERP, no one will bother you.

 

I have a few bikes, and this is how I mount them. Don't fall off your chair.

 

1. rubber-band/cable tie to somewhere on handlebar. Hooked onto a small 12V battery (also cable-tied to somewhere in the front of the bike) in full view. Wire cut down to size.

2. "Properly" mounted on nice bracket and wired nicely to battery terminals

3. mounted on a very flimsy aluminium strip. Lame and untidy attempt to secure it using electrical tape. Connector installed for easy removal.

4. Didn't bother to mount

[Aah_heng]

Coolie, i have mine wired to ignition cos my bike is a weekend bike which r generally never used too frequently thus having a risk to battery drain. No issues so far. As long as it works and the gantry can read yr IU....there won't be an issue. Inspection cfm no problem cos they don't check IU during inspection. I personally know a few bikers who don't even have IUs on their bike and they can pass inspection.

[Hydher]

One terminal to battery and the other to ignition for me mate.

[azr123]

True, nobody will care how you wire your IU as long as you pay when you are required to. You can even turn it portable.