I understand that a magnet will disrupt a magnetometer. My question is how strong does the magnet have to be for the sensor to pick it up and are the ones flying off eBay strong enough? I have half a dozen or so hard drive magnets, I might snap them on the bottom to test it. On May 8, 2011 8:32 AM, "Moontoad" <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm kind of late to the discussion, but would like to make two points. > > 1. As far as the magnets, yes, they do work - sometimes, despite the > scorn heaped on them in online reviews by the so-called "experts". The > sensors are a buried coil that detect a disruption in the > electromagnetic field they generate as current flows through them. A > large metal mass in their proximity will disrupt the field. A strong > magnet, moving across the coil will induce a slight current in the > coil resulting in the same effect. (This is the same principle that > allows your generator to create current.) There is evidence from some > users that a stationary magnet directly above, and close enough to the > coil will also be detected. The different opinions are due to the > variability in use: moving vs stationary, stationary over the coil vs > in the center of the coil (seems to not work), proximity to the coil, > etc. The magnet should be mounted on a metal part of the bike, low. > The commercial products are coated with an epoxy or plastic to protect > them from the elements, but any strong neodymium magnet would work. > > 2. Here in MN, law allows motorcyclists to proceed through a red light > if they have waited a reasonable amount of time. The state sponsored > riders training even provides students with a copy of the statute to > carry on their bikes in case they run into an officer not familiar > with the law. The law is: > > MINNESOTA RED LIGHT LAW > Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.06, is amended by adding > a subdivision to read: Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE RELATING TO > UNCHANGING TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL.] > > (a) A person operating a motorcycle who violates subdivision 4 by > entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control > signal against a red light has an affirmative defense to that charge > if the person establishes all of the following conditions: > (1) the motorcycle has been brought to a complete stop; > (2) the traffic-control signal continues to show a red light for an > unreasonable time; > (3) the traffic-control signal is apparently malfunctioning or, if > programmed or engineered to change to a green light only after > detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently > failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle; and > (4) no motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street or highway > to be crossed or entered or is so far away from the intersection that > it does not constitute an immediate hazard. > > Moontoad > > On May 7, 12:24 pm, Kyle Munz <[email protected]> wrote: >> I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but do those little magnetic >> doodads you put on the bottom of the bike do any good at all or is their >> sole function to separate a fool from his money? >> >> -Kyle >> >> >> >> On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM, Minnesota Blue <[email protected]> wrote: >> > My solution to lights that won't change for me is to put the bike in >> > neutral, put it on the kickstand, and walk over to push the pedestrian >> > crossing button on the pole. It usually changes the light within 30 >> > seconds or so. >> >> > MN Blue >> >> > On May 7, 9:11 am, Paul <[email protected]> wrote: >> > > *When I had my Nighthawk 250 there were a few stop lights around town >> > that >> > > my little 250 frame just would not trip. If there was a car behind me I >> > > would inch forward hoping they would do the same and trip the detector. >> > If >> > > there was no car behind me and nothing coming, I would wait until it was >> > > safe to go and then do so. * >> > > * >> > > * >> > > *Paul* >> > > * >> > > * >> > > * >> >> > > Paul LeBoutillier <http://www.facebook.com/paul.lebout> >> > > * >> >> > > On Fri, May 6, 2011 at 6:04 PM, Noah Goodall <[email protected]> >> > wrote: >> > > > Virginia just passed a law that allows motorcyclists to run red lights >> > > > if they've been waiting for over two minutes. >> >> > > > http://www.brucedeming.com/blog/new-virginia-law-allows-bikes-and-mot. >> > .. >> >> > > > This is definitely one law I want to print out and carry with me in >> > > > case I get pulled over. The article gets it wrong about weight. >> > > > Traffic signals detect you by size. The video cameras see your shape, >> > > > and the in ground detectors measure the amount of metal above them. >> > > > What I don't understand is why this law doesn't apply to bicycles, >> > > > because they have the exact same problem. It's doubly funny because in >> > > > some parts of the state, mainly Northern Virginia, the light changes >> > > > every three minutes by design, so you could essentially run the light >> > > > every time! >> >> > > > Sorry to geek out, but I'm a transportation researcher who studies >> > > > traffic signals. And I'm in Virginia. This is a big story for me! >> >> > > > -- >> > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> > Groups >> > > > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. >> > > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >> > . >> > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > > > [email protected]. >> > > > For more options, visit this group at >> > > >http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. >> >> > > -- >> > > * >> >> > > Paul LeBoutillier <http://www.facebook.com/paul.lebout> >> > > * >> > > * >> > > * >> >> > -- >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. >> > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > [email protected]. >> > For more options, visit this group at >> >http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.- Hide quoted text - >> >> - Show quoted text - > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. >
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