LightMatic - FAQ's

What's the difference between LightMatic and a time delay relay?

The question about time delay relay (as a single electronic component) has been widely discussed in different motorbike's forums. The point is that, if they exist, they are not easy to find. In fact, we tried but we couldn't find them. Therefore, we can't ensure operation or price. But even in the case we found it, as we couldn't use oil pressure sensor (because we should need negative in order to make relay works, and signal would disappear at engine's start), we would have to use motorbike's mass. Therefore, from the moment we turned key to contact position and relay started to be electrical serviced, we would have relay's time (fixed and not adjustable) to start engine. After that time, lights would turn on, whether or not engine was working. And if engine would stop by any situation different that turning off key, lights would remain on.

What's the difference between LightMatic and a simple relay?

A simple relay (using battery's positive and oil pressure sensor as negative) could be a solution, in fact we know may people have chosen it, But it would be a partial solution, because lights would suffer a small and fast flash when the key was turn to contact position. So the problem with xenon lights would remain. And even halogen lights would turn on immediately after starting engine, with consequent battery's suffer.

Do I have to install it by my own?

Of course you can install it by your own, it is not necessary any kind of special tool or knowledge, as you can check in our "Instalation" section. But if you have doubts, you can ask to your favourite garage, they will install quite easily.

Are you a company?

No (not yet!). We are just two friends from Madrid. One of us (owner of a Honda Pan European), had the idea of developing a device to avoid turning on lights just putting the key in contact position, especially when he had an upset after leaving key on while we were speaking 5 minutes. Electronics is also his hobby, so he desinged, manufactured and installed it in his motorbike. And then we thought that if it was useful for him, it would be also useful for many other people.

Warranty?

We give 6 months warranty for our LightMatic. In case of failure, we'll exchange it for a new one.

Where can I buy it?

You can contact us in our e-mail lightmatic@lightmatic.es and in our Facebook profile www.facebook.com/LightMatic. If you are from Madrid, you can also buy it (and install it) in our dealers: JAPO MOTO (Tetuán) y JJ RACING (Pueblo Nuevo). And of course, we would be very pleased working with other garages!

Is LightMatic only useful for old bikes?

No. Most manufactures still incorporate "turning on the lights with the key" system in present models.

What motorcycles is LightMatic suitable for?

For a lot of units in the market. LightMatic has been installed in Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Piaggio, BMW... . Most of the manufacturers has implemented in some models the "solution" of turning on the road lights only with the key in contact position. If xenon lights are also installed, LightMatic is almost essential.

And of course, in models with switch for the lights, LightMatic is the ideal solution in order to not having to remember to turn lights on: just keep the switch in "on" position and let LightMatic do the rest.

Can I have any problem with the TVI?

Not at all. Lights are always checked when engine is started. Anyway, if you have any doubt, you can tunr LightMatic's internall switch to "off", so that LightMatic is deactivated and your motorbike´s behavior is the same as LightMatic's wouldn't be installed.

What's the problem with xenon lights and how can LightMatic help to solve it?

Starting the engine in a motorbike, an over-ride in the main electrical systems is produced, in order to let most of the battery power is used by the engine. If the lights were on from the moment key is introduced, this fast turn off-turn on often cause Xenon lights keep blinking, forcing the re-starting of the engine. LightMatic, avoiding lights turn on until some seconds after the start, deletes the problem.

What`s the utility of LightMatic?

At present and due to traffic law that forces to drive motorcycle with dipped beams on the manufacturers have chosen to remove the switch on / off of these lights in many models in order to keep them lit from the moment you turn the ignition key. This change ensures that the driver never forget to turn them on, but instead causes a number of disadvantages such as aging or premature battery depletion due to an oversight, or even its destruction if gel type. In addition, owners of motorcycles to replace halogen lights for xenon lights, probably encounter problems like xenon light is not activated many times due to rapid power failure experienced by the supply circuit of these lights when you press the start button

LightMatic solves all these problems. The device maintains the high beam headlights off with the ignition on. A sensor constantly will test whether the engine is running. Once started the engine and only after that time, a timer, which can be easily programmed from 0 to 12 seconds, will begin its countdown, time after which the device will activate the circuit of the high beam headlights.