MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I have Audiovox cruise control on MGB and it worked fine until I replaced l157 lamps in rear with led lamp. Found when I turn on ignition the stop light part of the led glows faintly. I figure it must be enough to make cruise control think t he stop light switch is closed. Do I need a diode or somthing on the cruise control.
The stop light part of the light should not glow until you hit the brake pedal, there should be absolutely no current. Does the light glow all the time when the ignition is on or only when the tail lights are on?
Might also want to look at your flasher module - as I understand it, you need an electronic one to match with LED lights as the old flasher unit has too much resistance.
The Audio Vox system needs to see a path to ground through the brake light bulbs. That is how the system know you have the system connected properly for safety reasons. Simply install a hidden light bulb or a resistor in parallel with your LED lights.
Here is a link to a installation guide I developed several years ago.
Cruise Control
http://sites.google.com/site/v8mgb1/home/cruise-control
The unit I bought had a schematic for a relay when LED tail lights are being used. I have it in the garage and would scan and post if anyone is interested.
I think Rick and Jim have the answer. This sounds like a similar problem I had with an earlier version of the AudioVox unit (I was wiring in a second cutout switch to the clutch pedal). Normally, the incandescent lamps create enough load to shunt the current leaked from the cruise control - but the LEDs are such light loads that this doesn't occur.
You can get replacement lamps that have the shunt resistor built-in. They draw the same current as a standard 1157, but have the brightness of the LEDs.
On my front turn signals i did not find the LED bulb equivalent much (if any) brighter than the bulb. but the lifespan should justify the slight price differential
for rear lights, the full LED array was, of course, brighter, I have an Audiovox I've spent several years looking at....
I am passing this on to all. I installed Led brake lights myself and lost the cruise. Here is the solution. Two minute fix.
When using LED tail lights, the violet wire at cold side of brake will not
read ground through the brake system. A five function relay will be required to let
the violet wire read ground and then lose ground when the brake is applied. Connect
the relay using the selected terminals below:
85 to cold side of brake (+12 when brake is pressed) out to brake lights
86 to ground
87 not used
87A to violet wire from cruise harness ( in from wire harness )
30 to ground
Hey Ed - Just wait - you will have to answer this question many more times, I'm afraid. This is twice today!
PJ Please scan and post. It is always helpful to have a visual aid. Rostra is where I got the tip from. But my scanning skills leave much to be desired.B-)
Err the Audiovox clone is out there somewhere. I don't have much faith in it. The Rostra is made here in the US and is a better alternative in my opinion. When my Audiovox goes on vacation I will use the rostra.
Actually, the claim that the Rostra is made in the USA is not exactly true - it "may" be assembled in the USA, but the electronics come from the exact same factory as the Audiovox unit!
Good point Limey! I do understand the made in and assembled in point. With all due respect for your level of expertise, it would be nice for us to know how you have come to the determination that all the parts are made in the same factory. In my discussion with the factory rep he was quite certain that the Audiovox units out there were a warehouse purchase of old stock. They are repackaged in a generic box and the part number is Mccs100, in case any want to do a search. We discussed the quality of parts and he indicated the level of quality was questionable. Interestingly though the little square control box was supplied to Audiovox by Rostra. Just some additional information for those looking. It should be noted that if you find them online, as I am sure you will if you look hard enough. Check availability. That is why I dropped them. NLA
Here is the reply from the factory rep as I questioned him about the same point.
"Classification of product is determined by the portion of assembly done on US soil and testing /validation done on US soil
The Rostra 250-1223 and others are assembled in NC and we also wave solder and surface mount the electronics in house. All development, validation and testing are done in NC. Parts are sourced all over the world including USA but the product does meet the classification made in USA.
We do not currently buy from the Audiovox source for the CCS 100 and up until 2 yrs ago all Audiovox cruise was supplied by Rostra under a private label program with the exception of the CCS 100"
PJ
Please tell us, did you use the magnets or signal from the -ve side of the coil? How do you like the unit? Did you need the vacume canister? Ease of installation? How long etc?
The "new" Audiovox type units are being sold in the USA by "Murphs Kits" - who sell parts for several motorcycles, but mostly update kits for the Kawasaki ZG1000. When the old stock Audiovox units all sold out (there may be the odd one left), Murph took it upon himself to try to resurrect the CCS100 unit as it works really well with the ZG1000 and a lot of other bikes. He eventually contacted the factory that made them and after getting permission from the original resellers (under the Audiovox name in the USA) was able to get a new batch assembled. Yes, these are unlabelled units, and arrive in a plain cardboard box but they are identical to the old units.
From Murphs web site:
"We are pleased to announce that we now offer a clone of the long selling Audiovox CCS100 cruise control. These units are produced for us by the original manufacturer of the Audiovox unit."
Which makes the claim that Rostra were supplying parts for Audiovox a little suspect!
Having followed Murphs progress to get these units built and sold in the USA, having dealt with him on a number of occasions, and knowing his standing in the motorcycle community, I see no reason for him to lie regarding the source of his parts.
