'Engine is running' signal?

[SpongeBob]

Hi guys,

Is there, or has someone found a simple means to have a kind of 'Engine is currently running' signal/wire, so to be able to switch on some gadget only when engine is running?
I initially thought of using the starter system interlock system 'output', which is good start, but not good enough as, obviously, it can be 'on' while conditions are met but the engine is not actually running.

Best,

[Hooli]

My hotgrips detect the 'dirty' signal from the charging circuit running & go into standby when the engine isn't running, how you'd replicate that though I've no idea.

I know in the past I've used VSRs (Voltage Sensing Relays) for doing the same on cars, I forget the trigger voltage but they should only switch on when the bike is charging. I've occasionally known them to switch off at idle if too many electrical things are running & the alternator can't keep up at that point though.

[grog]

Voltage Sensing Relay. A tough search but are out there.

[Mick_J]

Looking at the circuit diagram the oil pressure switch shorts to earth when the engine is running, you could use the same earth for a relay to switch on whatever you wanted.

[KiwiCol]

Voltage Sensing Relay. A tough search but are out there.

I have this setup on the boat for charging the start battery & the house battery, once start is 13+volts then it'll start to charge the house.

[SpongeBob]

Looking at the circuit diagram the oil pressure switch shorts to earth when the engine is running, you could use the same earth for a relay to switch on whatever you wanted.

That's the 'simple' idea I was looking for. I should have though of this one   
And the good news is that I can pick it up in the headlight bowl...

I was thinking about @Hooli & @Grog VSR solution, but as @Hooli says, there is a risk of it to switch off at idle if it doesn't provide 'hysteresis' switching...

[Eric GSX1400K3]

There are a few solid state VSR options, even programmable ones, where you can set the voltage at which they close (connecting load to the battery) or open. Only problem is they can be quite bulky, maybe not suited to a motorcycle application.  Good idea re the oil pressure switch.

[VladTepes]

Well don't be shy - what 'gadget' you fitting?

[SpongeBob]

Well don't be shy - what 'gadget' you fitting?

:-) Looking to make a simple/non-intrusive/reversible (read: cleanly installable/removable) and as tiny as possible 'keep-all-lights-switched-off-until-engine-is-actually-running' device.
I am a bit of old-school boy about that matter: I prefer to keep all lights off while starting the bike...
 
For sure, I am lucky enough to have a K2, thus with a genuine mechanical solution for that, but 1) I may not be that old-school actually and I would love to have this feature automated as I'm getting (old and) lazy and 2) my 20+ years old 130K+ Km handlebar switch may not survive eternally and 3) I may be tempted to get another, slightly less old '14 at some point without a lights switch and that would be a stressful situation for me :-)

[grog]

Spongey, mines always started without light off switch, unless crook battery. Not something on my worry list, thought about it years back but never a problem.

[Mick_J]

I have modified my bike so I have no head lights on at any time unless I select them.

[Hooli]

I'm pretty sure the bike switches the headlight off when the starter circuit is activated on the later ones. I'm sure I've read that in the manual somewhere.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Get a lithium battery and upgrade the headlight to led, problem solved, better cranking amps and a much better headlight to boot. Not sure about where you are, but here in Oz it's not allowed to have a switchable headlight on a motorbike. They must be always on and hard-wired without a switch.  Fused of course,  but no separate switch allowed.

[Tally]

Correct @hooli the headlight switches off when starting,comes back on when engine is running (k7fe)