Rizoma Indicator 'Black Box'

[junior varsity]

From PJ'S Website:

Installation Note: DO NOT install this signal without the load box that is wired to it. It is required to convert the current to 6 volts. Not intended to be used as a running light, this is a single element signal.

[junior varsity]

It wasn't a problem to find space for their mile of wire, but it looks cluttered to me.  I would love to see daylight through that space.....

+1

[geoffduc]

From PJ'S Website:

Thanks ato memphis, its the first time that I've seen that info 

[junior varsity]

If it wasn't on his website, I was about to pick up the phone and call him, because I could do without them in the front, I would. I want it as "airy" looking (supra) as possible.

[Bill in OKC]

I wish they still produced the old rizomas that didn't need the load box.

+1  I like the way their signals look, but that load box is a deal-breaker.

[ollie]

I'm not sure this will be a big help, but I bought my track-77's from PJs, and at that time (before buying) I asked them about the black boxes (because in the latest Rizoma catalog there is a picture of a new black box (or resistor?) which I haven't seen before) and they said that the packages vary now (old style and new style). My signals all looked the same, though: I had the lights, the black box (which was just a very flat 1 1/2 inch thing) and two resistors (same length as the black box, but rectangular cross-section). And yes, the load box was wired inline.

This sounds like what is going on,

I think I have one new style with the 'black box' unit a similar size and shape to the resistors and one old style with the chunky black box.

I wonder if you can buy the the new slimline 'black boxes' as a seperate item, they are certainly much easier to tuck away

[junior varsity]

I hope the new ones aren't as big as the one i got. I'd order if they had decreased in size, its too damn hard to hide the big ones when there's alternatives that are box-less...

[ollie]

the new ones are about the size of the resistors,

Sucks that they sent me one of each

[hunduc]

I am not absolutely sure, bit I think these are the new load boxes:



and on this picture you can see how the resistors look like:



I guess I did not say anything new at this point. It might be possible to buy a separate load box, I would contact PJ's. They have unbelievable customer service, they might do something for you. 

[corey]

so much nicer.. they now at least have a make the beast with two backsing mounting hole...
asshats.

[battlecry]

Aren't those boxes there to change the voltage?  If so, there may be other ways to do so.  A different dc-dc converter, a voltage divider network (two resistors or a potentiometer), or a zener diode could drop the voltage.  Ato, can you measure the voltage across the leads after the box?

[junior varsity]

Well, as the site says (Going off of PJ's), the boxes change the voltage down to 6v, stock systems run at 12v I believe.

You just threw all sorts of electonic vocabulary at me. I'm pretty tech savvy, but with a mech engineering degree, i'm better equipped at solving a different set of problems, and with a law degree in the works, i can only create more problems.

Please draw stick diagrams or attach pictures with such devices I could splice in that prevent me from having to use those big sons of pregnant doges.

[battlecry]

Ato, I am also not an electrical engineer, but electronics is just plumbing.   

If you just need to cut the voltage in half, two resistors will do it, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_divider

(But the load voltage to the Rizos will be proportional to the source voltage)

A zener diode clamps the voltage to a rated value, 5.6V or 6.2V.  See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode

This approach will give you a stable voltage at the zener value (unless the source drops below that), and you may be able to substitute the R in the shunt regulator for the Rizo resistor.  Make sure you get components rated for the correct wattage.

If the Rizzo draws less than 1A, you can wire one of these:

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/pf/LM/LM7806.html

[ungeheuer]

I like the way their signals look, but that load box is a deal-breaker.

Yup, Rizoma gets no LED bucks from me until they make this voltage reduction box thingo go away.  

[golgofett]

Just got 4 Avio 21's for Xmas.  There is no longer a black box.  The "black box" is now about the size of the new resistor pictured but flatter.  Almost like a pressure switch to run a weaponlight if that makes any sense.  Maybe the thickness of 3 quarters and the width of a dime?