Danged traffic lights
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
RE: Danged traffic lights
ORIGINAL: curmudgeon
I don't have that problem. I stop directly over the cut in the road where the wire is burried.
I don't have that problem. I stop directly over the cut in the road where the wire is burried.
If the light cycles and ignores me - I run the light when the traffic is clear.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Danged traffic lights
The "loop" is nothing more than wires installed in the pavemet that form an electrical inductance field around them.
When a vehicle pulls over the field a slight change is noticed in the field because of the shape change induced by the presence of Iron in the field. This inturn shows a different impedeance to the sensor in the electronics operating the "loop".
The sensitivity of this change can be regulated by a potentiometer coil(POT) located on the board forthe electronics of the circuit.
When you locate a light that is not noticing you, you should call the Public Works Department for that locality(city or town), or State DOT(Highway, State Routes), as it is thier responsibility for the intersection control devices. Once reported most will reset the sensitivity and the problem goes away.
Flashing your lights will not cause an induction loop to "fire", and that myth comes from cities where they use "IF Freq." sensors mountedat the light to "free track" emergancy vehicles equipped with a IF emitter.
One thingI have always done for years is to stay to either side of lane center in an intersection that is loop protected as the loops are normally 4 foot wide and cenetered on the lane. this will place more mass directly over the loop.
One thing I have noticed with newer instalations of loops lately is that they are now putting in pairs, with the side of each pair in the middle of the lane.
Heres a link to a real simplified explanaiton of induction loops and redlights.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question234.htm
When a vehicle pulls over the field a slight change is noticed in the field because of the shape change induced by the presence of Iron in the field. This inturn shows a different impedeance to the sensor in the electronics operating the "loop".
The sensitivity of this change can be regulated by a potentiometer coil(POT) located on the board forthe electronics of the circuit.
When you locate a light that is not noticing you, you should call the Public Works Department for that locality(city or town), or State DOT(Highway, State Routes), as it is thier responsibility for the intersection control devices. Once reported most will reset the sensitivity and the problem goes away.
Flashing your lights will not cause an induction loop to "fire", and that myth comes from cities where they use "IF Freq." sensors mountedat the light to "free track" emergancy vehicles equipped with a IF emitter.
One thingI have always done for years is to stay to either side of lane center in an intersection that is loop protected as the loops are normally 4 foot wide and cenetered on the lane. this will place more mass directly over the loop.
One thing I have noticed with newer instalations of loops lately is that they are now putting in pairs, with the side of each pair in the middle of the lane.
Heres a link to a real simplified explanaiton of induction loops and redlights.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question234.htm
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
RE: Danged traffic lights
Those magnets do work, but only on the inductive loop type lights, which in GA seem to be about 90%. I have one on my bike, and there is only one light I have a problem with, it has no loop in the road, or its been paved over so you can't see the lines. Of course its the light nearest the HD dealer, makes one wonder if that was on purpose.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 1
From: Olympia, Washington
RE: Danged traffic lights
I did it once on my Springer after waiting for the light to cycle. Haven't had the issue with the RKC once--even at the same stop light. Good info posted here about contacting local city folks if I have the problem.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 586
Likes: 48
From: Saint Augustine, FL
RE: Danged traffic lights
ORIGINAL:
Rob2002
Save your money
I put the magnet to the test this morning per instructions (Oh yea, the manufacturer guarantees it works)
Failed with flying colors
Should have bought a twelve pack
US Rider
Rob,
Doesn't a 12 pack mess with your ground clearance - one way or another?
Rob2002
Save your money
I put the magnet to the test this morning per instructions (Oh yea, the manufacturer guarantees it works)
Failed with flying colors
Should have bought a twelve pack
US Rider
Rob,
Doesn't a 12 pack mess with your ground clearance - one way or another?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Junior_co
General Harley Davidson Chat
56
Aug 13, 2012 12:55 AM
Grrrl
General Harley Davidson Chat
31
Mar 5, 2010 12:04 PM
