a blackbox for Christmas

[DRxBMW]

Ha, here's a gift idea for the BMW rider who already has everything money can buy.  :reading:

http://www.arborealsystems.com/Arboreal_Systems/home.html

I must admit that "cockpit space" is utilized quite nicely.

Rumors that JO has one stashed away for a motobrick door-prize.   

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The Dispatch 1 Power Distribution Management System - Overview and Details

The "Black Box" distribution module approach is familiar to motorcyclists for powering multiple electric and electronic items such as heated gear, radios and other communications systems (which can be wired, wireless or hybrid, such as the Biker Com Intercom System

While admittedly more complicated in some aspects than a simple switched circuit system, the Dispatch 1 is also far more capable. Providing switched and un-switched power of varying voltages to multiple devices might seem more evolutionary than revolutionary, but trust me, the revolution is here and this system provides a wakeup call.

Unlike other single-module power distribution systems, the Dispatch 1 system consists of two primary components: a distribution module and a controller module. Both are linked together wirelessly. The two form a system that provides electrical power, power distribution and management of the connected devices.

The distribution module of the Dispatch 1 system is the functional wired powered interface that provides the connections and the different voltage outputs for up to 10 different connected accessories.

The second half of the Dispatch 1 system is the controller module. It can be considered as the management console for rider input, to control all of the devices connected to the power distribution module. The controller module also acts as an information display for the attached devices.

Using a clean-sheet design approach, robustness and quality were apparently the goals in designing the Dispatch 1 system, with the use of 100A solid-state components for circuits that are actually rated at no more than 15A and a robust multi-layered circuit board implementation.

The Dispatch 1 system also has a surplus of processing power. Each module has its own 16-bit processor running at 16 MIPS with 64Kb of program memory -- lots of overhead and power to handle additional tasks. The multi-layered circuit board approach used for the Dispatch 1 electronics manages the electrical switching needs for attached gear. This eliminates the need for inividual relays for powered items, such as lights, heated gear or radios.

Along with providing other advantages, a primary design benefit of the Dispatch 1 system is that "'parasitic drains" from always-on electronics (e.g., LCDs, alarm systems, immobilisers, etc.) are much smaller and current surges that could affect CAN-bus equipped motorcycles aren't an issue.

Some of the features and advantages that are claimed by Aboreal Systems for the Dispatch 1 system include:

    The absence of electrical relays allow a significant advance in reliability and efficiency.
    Total capacity of 750 Watts (60 Amps).
    Circuits include four heating, two switched, three USB and one RJ11 power port.
    All of the power circuits are software configurable.
    Configurable voltage alarm and trigger (always on) functions.
    Highly flexible user customization capabilities.
    Extremely efficient and completely linear heating control circuits.
    Highly efficient and robust ZigBee radio technology (see section below) are used for wireless link between the Dispatch 1 modules.
    The Dispatch 1 controller is portable, which provides an economic alternative for multiple motorcycle use.
    The Dispatch 1 controller module is designed to accept a standard RAM mount.

[frankenduck]

Needs a Bluetooth MP3 player...

... and more cowbell