The ability to turn the headlight off (or more importantly to turn both filaments on) does not really say too much about the software version.
Mik, is there a way to switch off the headlight ? I think it could be interesting to add this to the collaborative handbook ...
It's already in the Collaborative Handbook: http://visforvoltage.org/book/ev-collaborative-hand-books/6858
By the way, any user can write new book pages!
Unlike normal posts, the first post in a book page can be edited by the author as often as required!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Ooops, I didn't look at the right place, thanks Mik ! NOW, I think I'm getting old ...
I was prepared to bring my little contribution to the collaborative handbook, what a pity ...
April 2010 Vectrix VX-1, 2004 Prius (feeded with E85), Giant Suede (electric bicycle)
Dear Mik,
The explanation about the hidden features of the headlight is lost in the middle of a veeery long thread, so I decided to summarize it in a few sentences, if you allow me to do so (and if you can stand my poor english !). Maybe I'll have the honour to be in the Hall of Fame, I mean to be published in the collaborative handbook, after all !
So, here it is :
First of all, there is no known way to switch off the front position light : it remains on as long as the bike is switched on (as the rear postion light).
Then, here are the three different headlight behaviours that I've noticed :
1 - standard behaviour : you switch on the bike, the low beam is on. If you switch to high beam, the low beam switch off, and vice-versa.
2 - both beams on : you switch on the bike, the low beam is on. You pull the high beam pass switch for approx. 5 seconds, and you release it after the first beep. You are now in "both beams on" behaviour : the low beam remains on when you switch to high beam (more light, but more consumption).
3 - headlight off : coming from the step 2, you pull the high beam pass switch for approx. 5 seconds, and you release it after the first beep (or, coming from step 1, you pull the high beam pass switch until you hear a second beep). The headlight turns off (so do the headlight telltale on the dashboard), but the position light remains on. You can use the high beam pass switch to send a "flash" to the cars in front of you. If you switch to high beam, the headlight behaviour comes back to step 1.
Of course, everything is reset to standard behaviour if you switch off the bike.
Now, I would like to add a personal note about this : I've been driven motorbikes since almost 30 years, and half of it in the parisian suburb. I had a very serious accident at the beginning of my biker career (I was about to loose my left leg but, fortunately, it's still there !), and since then a few minor ones.
During all those years, I've learned that one of the main points to drive safely (with reasonnable speed) is to constantly ensure being seen by motorists. I let my low beam always on, I wear a yellow safety waistcoat (I know it's ridiculous, but my life is more important than my pride), and I would have put a blue flashing beacon on my helmet if I was allowed to ! So I strongly recommend to let the low beam on (and to wear a safety waistcoast), your life is more important than a few kilometers of range !
Drive safely, if you want to have the opportunity the enjoy your marvelous Vectrix for long ...
April 2010 Vectrix VX-1, 2004 Prius (feeded with E85), Giant Suede (electric bicycle)
Just do it! Haha!
Write yourself into the history book like this:
Start here: http://visforvoltage.org/book/ev-collaborative-hand-books/7217
Then click on: " Add child page".
Call it "How to turn the headlights on" in the Title Bar - or whatever you want to call it!
Then add: "Vectrix Collaborative Handbook" in the "Topics" bar.
Then type in your text in the "Body" field.
That's all! Easy as pie! And you can edit it as often as you like (even after posting it!)
Then everyone can help to discuss the fine points, like different software versions etc, and you can edit your first post as often as you like to make it better!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!