Buzzer to Alert that Lights are ON and Engine is OFF

A couple of times during the past year I have put down the side kickstand, then forgot to put the ignition key into the OFF position (I know this is lame - but I have actually done this), then walked away from the SWing - once resulting in a dead battery. Has anyone rigged up some type of 'buzzer' to alert you to this condition? If so, possibly you can share what you did and what drawbacks you may have encountered. I have installed such an alarm in my 'older' cars - but in those cases the ignition key was in the OFF position and the lights were ON - which is a bit of a different system. Thanks.

Put your key on a long landyard that you can hook to your jacket or around your neck. You won't be able to walk away from the scooter without the key.
Failing that - Take the bus.
Cheers,

Regrettably that buzzer would only drain the battery faster.

Tim

"Kindly come to terms with your a** for it bears you" --Fra Junipero Sierra

Maybe something like this;

http://www.idsolutions.co.nz/reels_and_retractables.html

Many boats have a buzzer system that buzzes when one turns the ignition on then goes off when the engine is started/running and goes off when the engine is shut off (diesels in boats don't usually stop on the key) and the ignition switched off with the key.
Perhaps it's worth pursuing that line.

Has anyone ever forgot to put the key in the ignition to start it?

We could go silly with this one.

Maybe an alarm to indicate the side hasn't been raised!

or

A buzzer to say the seat hasn't been locked and a risk to battery drainage is indicated by the under seat light.

Seriously though I think the best thing other than get into the realms of wiring and such is simply to remember to withdraw the key, a bright key fob or an illuminated key fob.

My take---if a person is not alert enough and needs buzzer to remind to do right things....probably shouldn't be on powered two wheels.

john grinsel wrote:

My take---if a person is not alert enough and needs buzzer to remind to do right things....probably shouldn't be on powered two wheels.

100% agree John.

Just three steps to remember and soon it will become automatic.

1. turn off ignition.

2. lower side stand.

3. set parking brake.

Ride Safe.

I would add a fourth one.

4. Get off scooter.

Cheers,

Slightly off topic, but:
I know I should be aware of what I am doing all the time when riding on two (or 3) wheels, but, a little beeping sound as the turn signal is activated would be nice. That way, the driver is less likely to forget to turn off the signal following a turn. I've thought about this for over 40 yrs of 'cycling.' Haven't seen it offered from the manufacturers .... at least from Honda that I am aware of.

Okiedolkle wrote:

Slightly off topic, but:
I know I should be aware of what I am doing all the time when riding on two (or 3) wheels, but, a little beeping sound as the turn signal is activated would be nice. That way, the driver is less likely to forget to turn off the signal following a turn. I've thought about this for over 40 yrs of 'cycling.' Haven't seen it offered from the manufacturers .... at least from Honda that I am aware of.

Problem I see with this idea is that helmets are designed to dampen sound, (assuming one is wearing a helmet!). Should a beeping device be fitted to two/three wheeled machines it would have to be of a volume level that would be heard by the rider.

Would this then mean that it would be a noise nuisance to other s, pedestrians etc!

I would like to see a HUD type arrangement but cost and compatibility with head gear would be the stumbling blocks!

Well that could be a possible reason why no beeper. But I don't think it would have to be that loud ... just the right pitch. I wear a half helmut and I think I would hear the beeper.

Homer

Homer, I wear a Arai full face and it has very good sound proofing qualities. Maybe manufactures could reposition the lights and add a 'clicker' where they could be observed visually and audibly.

Do you have reversing buzzers over there?

Not loud to be annoying but loud enough to be noticeable.

It is a very simple operation to wire two (one of each side) small buzzers into the indicator wiring. For those of you who wish to remain quiet then I suggest wiring an led into each side. Positioned somewhere on the centre of the handlebar cover at such an angle so it gets your attention.
These are available worldwide (including USA!)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-CYCLE-Indicator-Buzzer-Kit-2-sounders-NO-DIODES-USED-/370630053293?
pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item564b45cdad#ht_1348wt_710

LEDs 3mm are fine, 5mm TOO BRIGHT
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-x-Pre-wired-3mm-Bright-Green-LEDs-Prewired-12V-LED-/350445544370?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item51982ea3b2#ht_1053wt_944

3mm Holders (for neat installation)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-3mm-Black-Plastic-LED-Clip-Holders-Bezels-Cases-/350383183820?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item51947717cc#ht_1053wt_944

I bought my LED stuff from this seller and I'm very pleased with them. I have no affilliation with either seller. BTW.

Cheers,