How to install an audible turn signal alert

Scooterspal · Post by **Scooterspal** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:44 pm

I added this little circuit to my 1985 Spree over the weekend. The lack of an audible turn signal alert has been bugging me.

There has been some discussion on it so I made up this little "how to" for others who may wish to do the same.

The parts are from Radio Shack. Their #273-059 12volt DC Piezo Buzzer sells for $3.50 and their #276-1101 is $1.00 for two diodes. The diodes are required as they keep the current flowing only in one direction and prevent one side from turning on the lamp of the other.

Step 1) Wire up the diodes as shown in the picture. Twist the two ends with the bands on them together and solder to the red lead of the buzzer. Solder about 10" of wire to the other ends of each of the diodes. Solder another 10" of wire to the black lead of the buzzer.

Tape or shrink-wrap all connections completely so they do not short to the steering column when you install it.

Step 2) Remove the front cover from the steering column of your Spree.
Underneath you will find the leads that attach to the front signal lights. They are orange, blue and green. The orange and blue are the positive wires to the signal lights and the green is the common ground or negative for both.

Step 3) You will need to use a razor to carefully cut away about 3/8" of insulation from each of these wires at the point where they go into the wiring harness. Solder one of the diode wires to to the orange lead and the other diode wire to the blue lead. Solder the remaining wire from the black side of the buzzer to the green lead.

Before taping everything up... test it. Turn on the key and rock the signal switch from left to right. The buzzer should chirp each time the lamp is lit for that side. If all is well, tape up your solder joints and stuff the wires back into place.

Step 4) You can mount the horn up inside the instrument panel with some double sided foam tape (from R.S. or Home Depot) as I did. That's all there is to it. The buzzer should be loud enough to hear over your engine but if it is not you can mount it on the cowling under the instrument panel so that it's facing you.

Drill a small hole there and cement the buzzer's opening just over it.

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:52 pm

Nicely done!

Do you know if the wiring is the same for an 83/84 Aero50 as far as the wire colors and placement goes? The tech docs section has the service manual with wiring diagram and stuff but I don't know much about electrical.

What sound does it make? Is it a buzz like an alarm kind of buzz?

I vote for this to be put in the advanced tech docs

Scooterspal · Post by **Scooterspal** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:26 pm

Not sure on the colors of the other models. Easy enough to see when you take off the cover. There is a hole on each side where the wires from the signal lamps come through.

The sound is a high pitched (2.7Khz) sort of bird chirp. Buzzer is not the correct way to describe it but that's what the label says on the package.

Gamemedic · Post by **Gamemedic** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:56 pm

I dont get it? My blinker is so loud I would like to quiet it down.

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:26 pm

Gamemedic wrote:I dont get it? My blinker is so loud I would like to quiet it down.

Mine is near the rear, I can barely hear it with my helmet on at a standstill, no way when I'm cruising at 35

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:47 pm

I look at the turnsignal light..

but nice cheap addon for those who need it

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:25 pm

burnt_toast wrote:I look at the turnsignal light..

but nice cheap addon for those who need it

well some of us aren't smart enough to look at the light

my speedo doesn't work so i'm always forgetting to look at the dashboard

Scooterspal · Post by **Scooterspal** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:15 am

I happened to run into a fellow last evening, right in my home town no less, who was riding (he said) a 1986 Spree. He was stopped at the corner and his signal was on.

It was rather loud but it was also up front. On the 85 Spree, at least, the relay is in the back and you just cannot hear it over the motor.

I used my little circuit for the first time on a ride last night and it worked great. Just loud enough to hear it as I made the turns.

CharlotteSpreeRider · Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:01 am

I might do this to my bike next weekend. It's annoying when I forget to turn the damned thing off.

Thanks,

-aseigler

MySpree · Post by **MySpree** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:05 pm

all my sprees had a clicker that i took out, they annoyed me.