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Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:11 am

Hi guys,
I was wondering if there is a trick or method on triggering the sensor pads at traffic lights, I wait and wait up to 5 mins and still no green light. I was thinking it's because I don't weight enough, I weigh 70kg and ride a 2008 Ninja 250R. After so long I figured that I have no choice but to run the red light. :(
Hope someone has some advice they can give me cause I don't want to lose my licence.

Thanks.

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:32 am

On some/most intersections you'll see thin lines cut into the concrete. Inside these lines are loops of wire called an induction loop that go back to the traffic light control box. I'm assuming when there are no lines cut they're placed below the top layer of bitumen, or the lights ALWAYS cycle...... anyone know?

The loop and control box actually detect the metal of your bike because of the way the your bike/car affects the induction (think flow/strength of magnetic field) of the loop, because metal is a good conductor of magnetic fields.

So, there are 2 things you can do. Position yourself differently over the loop, or strap a big magnet to your bike (yes it works and you can buy them, there's a thread somewhere on here for them).

Dunno what the law says, I run the red eventually too - how long are we supposed to wait?

:kuda:

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:05 am

tim wrote:Dunno what the law says, I run the red eventually too - how long are we supposed to wait?:kuda:

Yep Sunday mornings if going for a ride I always get caught at the same set that wont trigger, any other time there is more traffic about. Running the red seems to be commonplace in this situation.

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:11 am

Get off and push the pedestrian button :D

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:41 am

to pretty much do a stoppy on them to make sure they know im there. or if possible, mount the footpath, and go round the corner and re-enter the road (only works when turning left.) :lol:

used to do that early morning on the way to work. :lol:

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:44 am

Place your bike over the cut in the bitumen running the same direction as your going, so you have the largest amount of metal possible over a section of the loop, I find it works at almost all lights. Failing that, I just run the red.

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:57 am

I've heard sticking strong magnets to the belly pan can help. Never tried it myself but maybe worth looking into?

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:03 pm

I have the same the same problem with the boom gates at Westfield - half the time they don't recognise I'm there and won't issue the parking ticket. Haven't had it at red lights yet tho.

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:41 pm

im pretty sure that you have to wait 3 full cyccles before you can run the red.

but yea, big magnet ftw

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:22 pm

seiko1 wrote:Get off and push the pedestrian button :D

+1 :kuda:

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:40 pm

Ok, just read up on how induction loops work. Wonder if lining your belly pan with foil or strips of metal will alter/trigger the induction when you stop at lights. Hmmm gonna keep an eye out for bits of metal to test it.

Thanks for the info guys, gives me a starting point to solve this annoying problem.

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:55 pm

Line your bike up over the wires embedded in the road. If that doesn't work, stop your engine and then restart it, the starter motor cranking should be enough to disturb the magnetic field in dodgy old sensor coils.

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:13 pm

seiko1 wrote:Get off and push the pedestrian button :D


lol seiko thats wat i do, was in a mates Barina and the light would not change so i got out and pushed the pedestrian button :D straight away the light changes :kuda:

BTW ZX14RRRR WOOOOT!!!! wat a F*cking BEAST!

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:02 pm

The loops under the BITCH are cable loops that pick up electro magnetic fields ....

The best thing you can do is roll yaself back and fourth over the "scars"in the road which hide the little pricks and hope it catches a change in the field . ..

Otherwise yeah ... get off and push the friggin button!

Re: Traffic Light Sensor pads

Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:31 pm

Similar thread was done a few months back. Apparently you buy a thingo on fleabay to go in the bellypan. Don't know if they work or not.....
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