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CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 1:10 am
by davef1uk
i understand How the CanSmart works.  Would relays to add day running lights, brake lights or anything be acceptable??


If a relay is fitted, can’t I just splice into the relative wires?? 


Cheers

CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:07 am
by rangemaster728
You can always add relays and fire the coils off of the appropriate circuits...BUT...

1. You need good wiring diagrams to locate the correct circuits.
2. Install an accessory fuse panel (i.e. Fuzeblock) triggered by the aux circuit to cut power when you turn off the bike.
3. Proper small weatherproof relays.
4. The skillset, tools and confidence to do a good job.
5. The real estate under the seat must be managed carefully.

With that being said I’ve wired Hexheads with the procedure above AND using a Hex Innovate ezCan.

I prefer the ezCan by a wide margin...no aux fuse panel/control relay, no individual accessory relays and the wiring was much simpler . I added a horn, aux brake lights and LED driving lights.

MUCH smaller hardware package and much easier to diagnose any problem...well worth the money and you have the the utility of programmable brake and driving lights.



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Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 10:22 am
by exportman
Hi have always used  fuse box a relays for aux fittings on bikes.  On my RT  the fuesbox is behind the right speaker grill ( I don't have radio)
Switched feed is from the back of the AUX socket  and I have waterproof push switches in the radio button holes.
Extra lights  two way radio and sat nav all powered from this set up.  cheap  and easy to set up

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 10:29 am
by davef1uk
Thank you.  Much appreciated.  It’s nice to get feedback and alternative ways.  Thank you. 


I have used fuzeblock before..  I understand finding the right wires auxiliary feed is important. 


Thanks. 

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 12:11 pm
by exportman
Hi


Its easy to identify the positive feed on the aux socket  for the switched feed.  there is about a 20 second delay after switching off before the aux circuit goes dead.


I also have an early INNOV K1 camera set up  connected to the fuse box  the INNOV dvr unit is under the pillion seat  so thats taking up the space there




Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:12 pm
by davef1uk
The Ezcam seem easy.  May go that route. 

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:22 pm
by rangemaster728
The hardware is marketed under two names, Hex ezCan and Denali Camsmart (that Hex makes for them...).

The Denali may have some modified features, but the original Hex unit is just fine for my RT. And GTL.


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Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:13 pm
by Casbar
rangemaster728 wrote: The hardware is marketed under two names, Hex ezCan and Denali Camsmart (that Hex makes for them...).

The Denali may have some modified features, but the original Hex unit is just fine for my RT. And GTL.


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I prefer the Cansmart over the Hex Ez can. There are some software differences.


But the biggest difference in the UK, there are UK distributors for Denali and Cansmart, so if you have an issue, you have a UK contact to deal with. I went the Cansmart and used the Denali lights, again because there was a UK distributor so I had one companies hardware and software to deal with. But I would have been quite happy with a Hex Ezcan. There is loads of information about the differences between the two, but as already stated they are both made by Hex, they have just programmed them differently and Cansmart is optimised for Denali kit

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:56 pm
by bicyclenut
I use the HEX Ezcan, it was less expensive than the Denali version of the Hex product. Best to order direct from Ted Porter's Beemershop, if in the USA, he will provide excellent customer service if you have any issues.
One of several benefits of using the EZcan vs a fuse block (and I also have a fuze box for some add-ons besides the EZcan) is that it allows for some additional function and features, dependent on the bike. As the EZcan "listens" to the CANBUS, it can allow you to control functions with the BMW switches and program features using the bike. For example, it uses the light sensor in the dash to determine day/night to set brightness of the Aux lights based on day/night brightness. You can also increase brightness of Aux Lights directly by switching on/off high beams. Aux Lights can flash with horn use. Aux Lights can alternately flash when using hazards. You can program add on brake lights to flash in various sequences when stopping and detect deceleration without braking based on a decelerometer. With newer bikes you can use the Wonderwheel for various functions. Generally, some of these functions are not possible without the EZcan or you might need additional switches or devices to allow some of these functions. 

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 3:25 am
by davef1uk
bicyclenut wrote: I use the HEX Ezcan, it was less expensive than the Denali version of the Hex product. Best to order direct from Ted Porter's Beemershop, if in the USA, he will provide excellent customer service if you have any issues.
One of several benefits of using the EZcan vs a fuse block (and I also have a fuze box for some add-ons besides the EZcan) is that it allows for some additional function and features, dependent on the bike. As the EZcan "listens" to the CANBUS, it can allow you to control functions with the BMW switches and program features using the bike. For example, it uses the light sensor in the dash to determine day/night to set brightness of the Aux lights based on day/night brightness. You can also increase brightness of Aux Lights directly by switching on/off high beams. Aux Lights can flash with horn use. Aux Lights can alternately flash when using hazards. You can program add on brake lights to flash in various sequences when stopping and detect deceleration without braking based on a decelerometer. With newer bikes you can use the Wonderwheel for various functions. Generally, some of these functions are not possible without the EZcan or you might need additional switches or devices to allow some of these functions.
. I ordered an Ezcan.  It seemed simpler and a clever device.  Got mine from Nippy Norman’s. 
Valid point about support if things go tits up, but I’m sure support is in abundance here or elsewhere.    Considerably cheaper to Cansmart. 

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 8:14 am
by Casbar
Davef1uk wrote: . I ordered an Ezcan.  It seemed simpler and a clever device.  Got mine from Nippy Norman’s. 
Valid point about support if things go tits up, but I’m sure support is in abundance here or elsewhere.    Considerably cheaper to Cansmart.

The Hex and the Cansmart user setup is exactly the same, but there are differences in the software and how they control the lights etc. If your fitting Denali kit, the Cansmart is easier as its plug and play, no splicing wires etc. if I was planning on using other ancillaries I would have used the Hex. When I was looking to buy there was no UK distributor, now that Nippy Normans stock the Hex and Cansmart its a buyers choice. Buying from the US is not so attractive now, especially as we have to pay import duty on the shipping plus VAT and a handling charge. Either will do a good job.

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 9:02 am
by davef1uk
Your right Cas, the import duty and the dreaded does put you off buying from USA, but no doubt when they buy, we rip them off too.  Sad all round.   


But I really do appreciate all help.  Helping this northern monkey it’s needed , trust me lol

Re: CanSmart or Relay

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 9:25 am
by Casbar
Davef1uk wrote: Your right Cas, the import duty and the dreaded does put you off buying from USA, but no doubt when they buy, we rip them off too.  Sad all round.   


But I really do appreciate all help.  Helping this northern monkey it’s needed , trust me lol

Just decide what ancillaries you want to fit, then there are loads of posts about the differences between Hex and Cansmart, they are both good options. Like I said, because I was fitting Denali it was literally plug and play. If I was fitting Clearwater lights or similar I would probably have made a different choice. If you do a search on UKGSER there are quite a few posts about the two options, there is apparently another one called Canswitch which is from South Africa, but that is larger and looked to me to be a bit more complicated on the programming front.