[DEcosse]

And Hands-Free this time!

(If looking for information about the latest V3 version, see this thread)

My Rev 1 RFID system worked quite well with only the minor inconvenience of having to swipe the TAG at close proximity.
With the 'watch-band' style TAG and the location of the Detector, this truly was not a big deal.

But the quest was go a little better and be completely hands-free - at least able to have the TAG in pocket and create activation, without having to be in direct proximity (couple of inches at best with the V1)

I found pretty good module as the initial basis to work with - this unit is a K9 Sombra, actually a Car Alarm system that comes with built-in RFID activation from decent range (more on that later - range was actually TOO good, about 30-40'!!!)
This is actually a product that is not being currently manufactured and there is a decent availability of these at 'close-out' type pricing.

First off, you can also use the alarm features - can add a dual stage proximity sensor (warn away & alarm) from same manufacturer; and also use the basic interlock features to disable the bike.
There is even a user-selectable anti-hijack feature that will kill the bike if ridden out of range without the RFID being detected.
One thing that makes this one particularly conducive is actually has a dis-armed output - specifically when the system is disarmed, you get an associate signal. Others I looked at had output for armed - so not ideal for what we want to do which is allow activation when dis-armed. That point is subtle, but critical. There is a jumper on the Sombra that allows you to select the 'dis-armed' output.

A word of caution though - the manual really sucks so the I/Os are not really explained very well.

• The Jumper must be set to NO to get a 'dis-armed' output from the external relay drive connector - that output is two-pin connector, the pin closest to the door-lock connector
• Ignition input MUST be connected in order for the 'dis-armed' (RFID tag present) output to remain latched internally within Sombra - otherwise if Remote RFID goes to 'sleep' mode that output will switch off at that time. Once ignition is sensed, the tag can be out of range or off (outside of anti-hijack timer) and dis-armed output will remain.
• On-board interlock relay only works with ignition 'on' - whether armed or disarmed, will not change state even for 'trigger' condition
• Anti-hijack will only be 'in play' for first 3 mins after ignition first on - after 3 mins will ignore RFID for hijack situation
• For programming, most of options are associated with door lock conditions and can be turned 'off'
  Anti-hijack is about only usable option you would choose for personal preference whether to enable or not. Turn everything else off, leave de-bounce at the factory setting.

You could actually take the module as-is and adapt it to the desired operation with some external add-ons (see post later in thread)
I decided to put the additional control inside the box and use transistors for the specific control (but can also be done using relays externally)

I removed the On-Board door actuator relays - clearly don't need those with no doors! They just sink more current when arming/disarming (noisy too!) and also give up a nice 6-way connector plug by removal, that can then be utilized for the control outputs! The space then also lends itself nicely to fit in my custom control board.
I also removed the wires from the connector for the door triggers - again, this is bike, no doors so don't need those inputs.

Here is the schematic

I used the same relay latch circuit from the V1 - the only difference is the means of providing the initial Trigger.

How it works:

When 'armed' there is no 'dis-armed' output (duuhhhh!!) and TR1 is 'Off'; therefor there is no voltage supply to TR2 and the clutch switch does nothing. In this mode, there is a flashing LED that signal would be perpetrators will see there is an alarm installed on the bike. In the schematic above, it is actually using the OEM built-in Alarm Led - all of the Power, Ignition, Ground and even Turn Signal outputs are all connected through the OEM Alarm Connector Plug.
In the 'armed' state the on-board interlock relay will inhibit the bike from starting (just like the OEM supplied Alarm system); so if theft attempt at ripping out alarm is attempted, bike will still be dead.

Whenever the Receiver detects the RFID output from the KeyFob Remote, the system dis-arms. When it is detected, you get the Turn Signals flashing alerting you that it has dis-armed - flashes twice for dis-arming (single flash for arming as you move out of range)
When the 'dis-armed' output is then generated, that turns 'on' TR1 and provides 12V to the emitter of TR2.
At this stage, the ignition does not come on - only makes the bike 'Ready' for ignition. I have added an additional LED for this purpose.
That second LED optional - on my model I have no OEM LED in the instrument, so have to mount an LED anyway - so in that case I am using a single dual colour Red/Green LED - that single LED has separate Red & Green Drives so will flash Red when Armed and steady Green when dis-armed - or 'Ready'
Once the ignition has been latched 'on' the state is maintained and it makes no difference if the RFID signal is lost (indeed the Remote 'goes to sleep' after about 10 mins if no movement detected, so it was important that would not kill the bike.) That 10 min timer always works that if you remain in proximity of the detector without moving then it will re-arm as it 'sleeps'
In the 'Ready' state, the bike system interlock is also now enabled.

Regarding the afore-mentioned range: it was actually way too sensitive! I could get as far as 30-40' feet to arm/disarm.
I experimented with different lengths for the actual antenna stalk
I ended up de-soldering the antenna completely from its receiver/amplifier - even 1" of antenna gave about 15 - 20' range
No stalk makes it almost perfect - reliably detects consistently when within about 3' - worst case 'armed' is about 15' - typical seems to be within ~5'

Here's a few pics of the system with the initial internal modification and the final install on the bike.

This is the modified module and interconnect harness to the OEM Alarm connector:

This is the Relay Module which was simply re-utilized from the V1 set-up:

Outside of the OEM alarm connector, there is only one single wire on the bike's OEM harness that requires to be tapped - that is for the clutch switch.

Here is the unit as wired up to the bike

Note that I installed a nice MetriPack 3-way Fuse holder (input power and Turn Signal Outputs) in place of the cheapo Fuses supplied with the Sombra originally.
There is no real need to install the Programming switch permanently and the siren is optional
I chose to leave the siren off at this time (besides the supplied one is HUGE)
If I take an over-nght trip, I may install a mini Piezo siren.

And finally everything tucked in nicely behind the battery

And the Receiver module, with its antenna stalk removed.

I'll try to generate a video in the next day or two - I'm actually waiting for my dual colour LED to show up so will get that installed for the demo.
But it's now all operational and seems to be working reliably.
Incidentally the drain current from the Alarm module is only about 10mA when in armed state. (a bit more when the LED flashes but that is not constant)
So should be able to sit for weeks while armed and not significantly affect battery state.

 

[DieselGeek]

Great write up Ken !
This set up should settle the guys down who did not want to "swipe to start" .
I cant wait to have this working in mine!

 

[Torter]

Very nice, can't wait for the video!

 

[DEcosse]

For those who want to attempt the transistor control, here is a layout that you can use for a strip-board:

^ Note there is one additional resistor on this compared to integrated diagram above - just ensures Q1 transistor is off on 'armed' state


For anyone who doesn't want to take on the internal modification of the Sombra, it can also be done wholly externally; can also be done with relays rather than transistors.
If using relays, those control relays (R4, R5) do not have to be high-current items like the main power switching relays (R1-3); those can be miniature or reed relays.
They only need to be capable of switching a couple hundred mA.

This preserves the original package of the Sombra without any direct modification to the module itself; that of course also preserves its warranty, should that become an issue.

You don't have to connect to the OEM alarm connector plug - you can connect the red directly to any constant battery power source and the yellow to the Ignition power after the Kill Switch.
The Turn Signal outputs (optional) can also be connected directly to the wires for the actual signals.

 

[DEcosse]

Just added video to the opening post.

 

[rnexussix]

DEcosse, this is an awesome design ! If you were thinking of making an electronic device, and selling it, I'd look in to something like that. Specially if it can be made in to plug & play. Great theft deterrent + the "cool factor".

 

[DEcosse]

... Specially if it can be made in to plug & play.....

That whole thing is virtually 'plug n play' - there is only one single invasive connection, to the clutch signal* - everything else interconnects to OEM connectors.

• The main Interface is via the OEM Alarm Connector
• The Relay Harness plugs directly between the OEM KeySwitch connectors
• I/O interconnect is between Module and Relay Harness (except for Clutch Switch input)

* The clutch switch signal could potentially be made plug n play also but would add (IMO) unnecessary complexity to add a full adapter connector set (for right bar switch assembly) when only that one wire tap is required.

Note even for the relay control version in post 4, there is still only that single connection to the clutch wire signal, other than the OEM connector interfaces.

 

[DieselGeek]

Thanks

Thanks to Ken for his efforts and, for the use of his most valuable resource, his time.

Over the last couple of weeks I was in contact with him while he was developing this system. I was getting info on how to build V1.0 and he started to get ideas and parts for this wonderful system. When this all started I had a very limited understanding of the operation of this unit, and would NEVER have been able to do it on my own. Ken built my system ( the K-9 part ) along side his own unit and they evolved together to what you see here . When it comes to electrical understanding DEcosse (KEN) is the master.:welldone
I will be building my key switch interconnect soon and I will update with operation as soon s it is ready .

Thanks Again
Norm.

P.S. I decided to order a Shorai battery to compliment this system for my install. My battery was a factory original so I decided to pop it out and get the best possible power source for this alarm / keyless ignition system

 

[evil paddy]

I have a Street Triple with the datatool S4 alarm fitted as standard.
I've been looking for a way to use RFID to control the ignition and found this post via google.

Could this be done to the street without too much hassle?

 

[09 Triple]

I don't know pal; your head ever hurt from all of that know-how floating around up there?!
Again, truly in awe. Thank u for taking the time to write that up.
In if u were looking to add to your "upgrade budget" by doing those mods to a module that I could just PnP here on my end.

 

[DieselGeek]

Pm DEcosse and see if he can still get the parts for you.
He did mine and his work is flawless but his quality comes at a price. It is totally worth it though. I will not discuss cost , send a pm to The Man. ( DEcosse ) .

 

[evil paddy]

cost is not a consideration! (just dont tell him i said that!)

 

[Ironcobra]

Professor Decosse at it again, love the vid and mod great work!!
Im gonna have to stare at the wiring diagram for about 6 months and hope ill understand it i would love to to do this

 

[DEcosse]

I have a Street Triple with the datatool S4 alarm fitted as standard.
I've been looking for a way to use RFID to control the ignition and found this post via google. ..

cost is not a consideration! (just dont tell him i said that!)

Too late Paddy - he read it!

I just made a kit for a guy with a Datatool alarm on his Bonneville - there was no added RFID (although it could be added for additional security) and used the Datatool for the primary anti-theft.

Here's how it works:
Bike is armed:
Dis-arm as normal with the Datatool KeyFob Remote
Set Kill/Run to Run
Pull clutch lever, ignition comes on & latches.
Remains on until Kill/Run is set to Kill.
As long as bike is not armed, ignition will instantly come on/off with the combo of clutch & Kill Switches.

It relies completely on the Datatool as the security interlock. If bike is NOT armed, there is nothing preventing anyone pulling the clutch and setting the Ignition. so there is no 'extra' interlock of the RFID, purely the Datatool inhibiting the operation.

But with the Alarm armed, then first someone has to overcome the fact that alarm would trigger;
Second, even if ignoring the audible, the (keyless) ignition bypass relays would not engage the latch - it would initially operate the ignition with the clutch lever pulled, but would not latch because the feedback to maintain it comes from AFTER the Alarms disable interrupt.
So would drop as soon as the clutch released again.
Third, even if the clutch switch were bypassed, then the ignition relays would remain energized, however the bike would still be disabled because of the interlock from the Datatool system.

But even without adding the RFID, this would be similar result of operation as if you handed someone the Key without actually disarming the Datatool
i.e. they could turn on the first stage with the key-switch, but the bike would still not be able to run.

You could add the RFID (from the Rev1 system) as additional security feature if you feel it is required; so then you must present a valid tag in order to set the new ignition bypass relays.
It would be personal preference whether you feel the additional RFID interlock is desirable. It would need to be the close range type (rev1) not the hands-free as per the main theme of this particular thread.
If you go to the Sombra, at that point you may as well ditch the Datatool.

 

[DieselGeek]

Professor Decosse at it again, love the vid and mod great work!!
Im gonna have to stare at the wiring diagram for about 6 months and hope ill understand it i would love to to do this

It took me about 3 1/2 weeks to understand the relay latch It felt pretty good just to get that

 

[DarlingRat]

I am astounded with your vast knowledge of everything electrical DEcosse :notworthy

I still can't understand 3/4 of what the charging system sticky means.

Me and electricity have never been good friends and i don't think that will ever change.

 

[DEcosse]

....Me and electricity have never been good friends ...

Not a friend you want to 'shake hands with' anyway, DR

 

[evil paddy]

Cheers for the informative reply.
Sorry for the delay in replying but it took e a while to digest all that!

so would the other option be to ditch the datatool alarm and just use the Sombra? How would that work?
In answer to your other question, it's a 2010 R with no other electrical mods

 

[DEcosse]

... so would the other option be to ditch the datatool alarm and just use the Sombra? How would that work?...

Well that's what the whole thread was about until your question!

But what is the issue with how I described it would work with the Datatool? (with or without the added RFID which is not absolutely necessary)

The model info itself doesn't help me - I need to see the physical connectors for the key-switch (at least a picture).
Also need to get a schematic for your model and whether or not the key-switch uses a 'chipped' key (which I understand the latest Speed Triples have?)

 

[evil paddy]

No problems. The bike is currently away getting coated in carbon - will get a pic of the electrics when it returns. There is no chip on the key so that should simplify things.

I guess I need to think about ditching the S4 alarm. I work in a fairly crappy area and am not sure I'd want to solely rely on the rather temperamental datatool!

Thanks for the food for thought!