How to Add T3 Modular Switchback Signal Pods to a CANsmart Controller
This article will be a guide on connecting T3 Modular Switchback Signal Pods to a CANsmart Controller.
This guide applies to all T3 Signal Pods. This includes the following examples:
- T3 Ultra-Viz 4-in-1 Motorcycle Safety & Visibility Lighting Kit
- T3 Switchback M8 LED Turn Signals - Front
- T3 Switchback M8 LED Turn Signals - Rear
- T3 Front Switchback LED Turn Signal Pods with Fender Mount
- T3 Rear Switchback LED Turn Signal Pods with License Plate Mount
Parts needed:
While the T3 signal pods are universal in nature and designed to simply tap into the existing OEM Turn Signal/Brake/Running light wires to obtain the necessary 12v signal, there are a few important reasons and advantages to connecting the T3's to a CANsmart:
- No tapping required - fully plug-n-play!
- You are able to take advantage of the extra CANsmart features (customizable brightness, brake light flashing patterns, strobe with horn, etc.).
- It may be a requirement! Most CAN bus-equipped motorcycles do not provide the proper 12v signal to allow the T3's to function. In most cases, the only option for functional T3's are to connect them to a CANsmart on a CAN bus-equipped bike.
- Adding A LOT of T3's? Avoid any power delivery issues using the stock wiring and utilize the CANsmart instead to provide plenty of power!
So, you have one pair of T3 signal pods and your bike specific CANsmart Controller. Now what?
Steps:
- Confirm that you have three available CANsmart circuits on the CANsmart Controller*
- Purchase x1 CANsmart Wiring Harness for T3 Switchback Signals
- Make the connections
- Program the CANsmart for the T3 signal pods
- Test!
- Bonus: Common Issues/Troubleshooting
1) Confirm that you have three or four available CANsmart circuits on the CANsmart Controller!
Connecting one pair of T3s to a CANsmart will consume three of the four available circuits on the CANsmart. Connecting two pairs of T3s (front and rear) will consume all four CANsmart circuits on BMW motorcycles.
Front T3s
- Two Circuits for the turn signal feature (Left/Right), AND
- White DRL light in Front T3s and
Rear T3s
- Two Circuits for the turn signal feature (Left/Right), AND
- One Circuit for the Brake/Running light in Rear T3s
Save two CANsmart circuits on Harley, Honda or KTM bikes!
In most cases, you can connect the T3 turn signal trigger wires on Harley-Davidson, Honda or KTM motorcycles to the original turn signal wires instead of using two circuits on a CANsmart. In order to do this, cut off the Left and Right Turn Connectors from the T3 harness and tap into the stock turn signal wires. This frees up two CANsmart circuits, utilizing it for Brake/Run or White DRL only.
Do not directly wire T3s to BMW motorcycle turn signals without a CANsmart; this will not function, throws errors, and will void your DENALI warranty.
For further details, see diagram 5.3 of the installation manual.
2) Purchase x1 CANsmart Wiring Harness for T3 Switchback Signals
This harness allows you to plug in Rear only, Front only, or both Front and Rear T3's to the CANsmart. It is sold separately from the CANsmart.
The harness includes labeled connectors and installation is just a matter of following the directions on the Installation Manual or following this guide. This is true Plug-n-Play!
3) Make your connections!
Wiring for BOTH Front and Rear T3 Pods:
- Step One: Connect the Left Turn Input to the Red circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Two: Connect the Brake Input to the Blue circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Three: Connect the DRL Input to the Yellow circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Four: Connect the Right Turn Input to the White circuit of the CANsmart.
Wiring For Rear T3 Pods Only:
- Step One: Connect the Left Turn Input to the Red circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Two: Connect the Brake Input to the Blue circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Three: Connect the Right Turn Input to the White circuit of the CANsmart.
- Note: The unused Yellow Circuit on the CANsmart can be used to control an additional device of your choosing.
Wiring For Front T3 Pods Only:
- Step One: Connect the Left Turn Input to the Red circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Two: Connect the DRL Input to the Yellow circuit of the CANsmart.
- Step Three: Connect the Right Turn Input to the White circuit of the CANsmart.
- Note: The unused Blue Circuit on the CANsmart can be used to control an additional device of your choosing.
4) Program the CANsmart for the T3 signal pods
Getting into the CANsmart Software:
- Download the CANsmart Software from our site and install it to your Windows or Mac computer
- Once installed wait for the "Connect Device to Continue" welcome dialog to show
- Plug the CANsmart into your computer via the included USB cable that came with the CANsmart
- If any updates are available, please follow the prompts to update the CANsmart
- Once you see the main menu with all of the brightness sliders and settings (shown below), we have access to make the changes we need.
Configuring the CANsmart Software:
Click on the Black square icon at the top of the screen under "Circuit Functions" to show available assignments. On the grid the opens up, click on the assignment you need and click apply for each of the four circuits as detailed below. The above example illustrates how to change the Red Circuit from the Default setting of "Light Pair 1", to "Left Turn" as required.
- Red Circuit = Left Turn
- Blue Circuit = Brake Light
- Yellow Circuit = Light Pair 1
- White Circuit = Right Turn
- In the Auxiliary Lights One panel, disable “Three-Wire dimming Mode”.
In the Turn Signal panel, set the running light intensity to 0%.
Running Light Intensity set to 0%
Reminder: If installing just front T3 pods, you do not need to set the Blue Circuit to Brake Light.
Likewise, if installing just rear T3 pods, you do not need to set the Yellow Circuit to Light Pair One.
The fourth unused circuit can be configured to any circuit function to power another accessory of your choosing.
Correcting the fuse values:
After making the circuit changes mentioned above, we will need to edit the electronic fuse values to make sure they're set appropriately.
Simply click on the fuse value to bring up the fuse value options. Then click on the appropriate value to match the recommended settings below.
For example, click "Fuse: 4 Amps" to reveal the options as shown below:
- Red Circuit = Left Turn / 2 Amps
- Blue Circuit = Brake Light / 3 Amps
- Yellow Circuit = Light Pair 1 / 3 Amps
- White Circuit = Right Turn / 2 Amps
Last steps! Make sure your settings match the following exactly:
The remainder of the settings can be configured as desired, but it is important the settings made in steps above are not changed or the lights will not function properly.
For example, now you can choose the running light vs brake light intensity, brake light flashing patterns, turn signal (amber) intensity, White DRL strobing with the horn, and White DRL brightness specific to day and night, on high and low beams!
5) Test the Lights!
You'll need to turn the ignition on to test, and for this step you can leave the CANsmart connected to the computer via the USB cable during this stage.
Hit your brakes, activate your turn signals, hit your high beam etc. Just make sure it all works as it should.
If you're up and running! Feel free to button everything up and go for a ride. If the lights are not performing as you'd expect, see the following for common issues.
6) Common Issues/Troubleshooting:
The Turn signals are not flashing on the correct side.
Double-check your CANsmart configuration matches the above, but you may have plugged the RHS T3 into the LHS T3 Connector. Unplug the T3's and swap the sides at point "A" below:
My Front T3's are not working.
Ensure you are connecting the front portion of the T3 to CANsmart harness at the correct connector. It will be the longest lead "B" below:
