That is a really good point about breaking without the breaks and if I were still... err... young enough? to ride, I would be begging for your design so I could build one and were I not an embedded engineer, I would want to buy one. You should consider producing and selling that unit. One other comment, for any young riders, based on personal experience: What Evan says about good helmet and leather can not be overstressed. Denim, cotton, etc... are like tissue paper when they rub on the road. Leather can prevent road rash. Wearing a car instead of riding a bike can prevent lots of other injuries. James Newton, PICList Admin #3 mailto:jamesnewton@piclist.com 1-619-652-0593 phone http://www.piclist.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Short, Evan To: Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 01:44 Subject: [EE]: Accelerometer brakelight (was Modulating a headlight) All this talk of increasing visibility has suddenly become of more interest to me, given that I'm recovering from an argument with a Land Rover which turned across my path (Oh, I didn't see you) in traffic. Turns out that my motorcyle and I weigh a lot less than a Land Rover. Only a mind hand fracture, thanks to a good helmet, good jacket, leather pants etc... Getting to the point, though, I'll be looking into a headlight modulator, evidently having your highbeams on during the day doesn't cut it with Italian drivers - I don't know if they're legal in Italy but I think I'd rather risk the ticket from the usually absent local police than another encounter with a Land Rover. Ironically, I had already modified my bike to make me more visible from behind - I built a brakelight which activates a row of high intensity LEDs - more LEDs for heavier deceleration. I've always thought that this was important on a motorbike, as you can be decelerating quite heavily from engine braking alone before you touch the brakes. Using an accelerometer, the drivers behind get a warning before your main brake light comes on. I used a PIC, naturally, a 12C series reading the digital output of an Analog Devices surface mount accelerometer and controlling the lights. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has done a similar project. Keep the rubber side down, Evan. ==================== Evan Short Ingegnere Elettronico - FERRARI S.p.A. GES v. Ascari 55/57 41053 Maranello (MO) ITALY Tel. +39 (0536) 949.616 FAX +39 (0536) 949.377 mailto:eshort@ferrari.it -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.