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Installing the Neutrino Aurora Black Box

6.2K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  crazyarch  
#1 ·
Install of the Neutrino is progressing. Figuring a good routing for everything and making room for it was a pretty good puzzle. My goal was to keep the installation as clean as possible. That includes making it as reversible as possible - so far so good. I'm really feeling my way along so comments are welcome.


This is fascinating technology and it opens a lot of doors for automation. First, there are no fuses, it's a digital circuit breaker. Second, the Aurora allows various sensors in the unit itself and your cell phone to command certain power switching. For example, you can control how long power stays on after the bike is turned off or the delay for it coming on. You can set power to your heated gear to automatically come on at 50 degrees and to increase to maximum power at 32 degrees. All of this can be either set and forget or orchestrated from your cell phone. If you are thinking what do I need that for, this unit is not for you. If part of your love for this hobby is tinkering, you'll love the Neutrino.


I have loaded the app on my cell and connecting to the unit was simple. Programming is laborious but fairly simple. Only problem so far is the unit has refused to connect to the cell app twice. The remedy for this is to uninstall the app and reinstall it. While this is annoying, all programming is stored on the unit so you don't lose your work setting things up.


I haven't added any loads to the unit yet, so I'll have to give you an update as things progress. I attached some install write-up images.
 

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#2 ·
Good job. The "problem" you have is not keeping everything neat and tidy, now... It's when you start adding one thing and then another, e.g. now you may just need power for the front of the bike for a couple of LED lights, then in 2 months it's to power the USB port you added, and then the Schroedie roundels, and then the SR10, and then the horn, and then.... My best advice would be to run NO less than 5, 16 ga, red wires to the front of the bike, store them under the left side panel and terminate them by your fuse panel. I'd also add a ground block under the same panel and run a the ground wire for it back to the battery. I'm a big fan of Deutsch connectors, Deutsch style pin crimping tool, a GOOD soldering iron, an ample supply of various sizes heat shrink, and a heat shrink gun. I don't like using posi-taps, but sometimes you almost have to, e.g. tapping into the high beam light to trigger a Skene controller, etc... Good luck, take your time and be patient. Don't make my mistake; last year it took me 3-4 days to fix/correct the mess I created after 6 years of "adding farkles"....

Duane
 
#3 ·
Don't make my mistake; last year it took me 3-4 days to fix/correct the mess I created after 6 years of "adding farkles"....

Duane
Something I too have done multiple times. I have sworn that this time around I will not end up with a rats nest of wires (just like I swore every semester I would get the term paper written early :wink:).

I do think $249 (https://www.neutrinoblackbox.com/product-page/neutrino-element) and $349 (aurora) is a bit steep but you pay for the functions you want.

Here is a webbikeworld review.

The PDM60 is about $50 cheaper but I haven't done a comparison of the features to see what the Neutrino does for the extra $50.
 
#7 ·
Respectfully, I don't think of the Neutrino as a toy because I use it for safety equipment, and to enhance my ride.

The Neutrino represent what power distribution should be if one is inclined toward tech. Many are not interested in tech on their rides; I am not among them. Today, I have gigabytes of music (I never listen to), near-live weather radar, crash reporting, good lighting, heat, radar detection and communications. I feel in control of many of the risks we take on two wheels.

I have been speaking with Dan about the Neutrino and I get it now. Of the devices in the group the Neutrino is the best value if what it does is what you want.
 
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#8 ·
Respectfully, I don't think of the Neutrino as a toy because I use it for safety equipment, and to enhance my ride.

Ok I'll defend my use of the word "toy". I agree that there is potential in the Neutrino concept and it is already at least the equal of other digital circuit breakers. But most of the extra things it does now can be done with simpler and cheaper devices, or even manually. I knew that a lot of people reading my post would think "so what, I can do that with a cheap fuse block and a pocket full of fuses". And frankly that's true.


The Neutrino is without question ahead of it's time. It is a really useful step toward smarter, safer motorcycles and I am glad to support their efforts by putting it on my bike. The next step is some sort of communication protocol that allows third party developers to plug into the Neutrino's basic infrastructure. So for example someone might develop a collision detection radar that plugs into the black box and blows the horn or flashes the lights. Or maybe you can set locations on your GPS to automatically turn on your GoPro where you want it on a trip. The possibilities are endless.


All great steps forward start as toys. Right now the Neutrino is a toy, but it has the potential to change the way we ride. So I'm not saying you have to have this accessory. I am saying it is very interesting and not a lot more complicated or costly than other less capable options.

I respect your opinion djfalkenstein, as it was your post that convinced me to sell the PDM60 I had waiting to install and order the Aurora. Look at the website and the videos and it is very compelling! So far so I am happy with the results.