For owners of a 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike, enhancing your ride with aftermarket accessories is a common desire. Whether it’s adding auxiliary lights for increased visibility, a louder horn for safety, or heated gear for comfortable rides in cooler climates, the possibilities are vast. Understanding how to seamlessly integrate these accessories into your bike’s electrical system is crucial. This is where the OBD2 connector and innovative solutions like the Hex ezCAN accessory controller become invaluable, especially for models like the 2019 Harley Trike Freewheeler or Tri Glide Ultra Classic. This article delves into the world of accessory management for your 2019 Harley Trike, focusing on leveraging the OBD2 connector and the Hex ezCAN to achieve a professional and warranty-safe installation.
The Power of Accessory Controllers: A Modern Solution
Traditionally, adding electrical accessories to motorcycles involved complex wiring, often requiring splicing into existing circuits and installing additional switches. This method can be time-consuming, risky for your bike’s electrical system, and potentially void your Harley-Davidson warranty. Modern motorcycles, including the 2019 Harley Trike models, utilize sophisticated Can-bus electrical systems. These systems, while advanced, can be sensitive to modifications. Adding accessories directly can overload circuits or trigger error codes, necessitating dealer intervention.
Accessory controllers like the DENALI CANsmart™ and Hex ezCAN offer a smart alternative. These devices act as an intermediary between your accessories and your bike’s electrical system. They connect directly to the battery for power and, crucially, tap into your bike’s data network via the diagnostic connector, often an OBD2 connector. This connection allows the controller to “listen” to your bike’s existing controls – handlebar switches, horn button, etc. – and intelligently manage the power distribution to your accessories without any direct wiring modifications to the original circuits.
Why ezCAN for Your 2019 Harley Trike?
For 2019 Harley Trike owners, the Hex ezCAN offers a plethora of benefits:
- Simplified Installation: Forget about cutting, splicing, or soldering wires. The ezCAN system is designed for a plug-and-play experience. It connects to your 2019 Harley Trike’s OBD2 connector for data input and directly to the battery for power.
- Warranty Preservation: Because the ezCAN doesn’t require any modification to your bike’s original wiring, it helps maintain your Harley-Davidson warranty. No more concerns about voiding your coverage due to accessory installations.
- Integrated Control: Utilize your 2019 Harley Trike’s existing handlebar controls to manage your new accessories. No need to clutter your handlebars with extra switches. Control auxiliary lights, horns, and more directly through your bike’s factory controls.
- Intelligent Power Management: The ezCAN provides four individually fused and protected circuits. Each circuit is software configurable, allowing you to tailor the power delivery to the specific needs of each accessory. This protects both your accessories and your bike’s electrical system from overloads and short circuits.
- Enhanced Safety Features: Increase your visibility and safety with features like flashing auxiliary lights when braking or strobing lights with the horn. These features can be easily programmed through the ezCAN software.
- Software Customization: The ezCAN is configured via user-friendly software compatible with both Windows PC and Apple Mac. This software allows you to assign functions to each output channel and customize the behavior of your accessories to your exact preferences.
Understanding the OBD2 Connector on Your 2019 Harley Trike
The OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) connector on your 2019 Harley Trike is more than just a diagnostic port. It’s your gateway to your bike’s Can-bus network, the central nervous system of your motorcycle’s electronics. This connector allows devices like the Hex ezCAN to communicate with your bike’s computer, interpreting signals from your handlebar controls and sending commands to your accessories.
For a 2019 Harley Trike, locating the OBD2 connector is typically straightforward. It’s often found in an easily accessible location, such as under the seat or behind a side panel. Consult your 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike owner’s manual for the precise location of the diagnostic connector on your specific model (Freewheeler, Tri Glide Ultra Classic, etc.).
Understanding the OBD2 Connector: The Sumitomo MT connector, commonly used in systems like the Hex ezCAN, provides a reliable and robust connection to your 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike’s diagnostic port, enabling seamless integration of accessory control.
What Can You Control with ezCAN on Your 2019 Harley Trike?
The Hex ezCAN opens up a world of possibilities for accessory control on your 2019 Harley Trike. Here are some common accessories and functionalities you can manage:
- Auxiliary Lights: Control up to two sets of auxiliary lights. Configure different brightness levels for day and night riding, dim them with low beam, or even have them flash when you use your turn signals for increased visibility during turns.
- Auxiliary Brake Light: Add an extra brake light for enhanced rear visibility. Program it to flash upon braking, use an emergency stop flashing pattern during hard deceleration, or even integrate California-legal flashing patterns.
- Auxiliary Horn: Install a louder aftermarket horn and trigger it using your bike’s original horn button. You can even configure your auxiliary lights to strobe when you honk for added attention.
- Heated Gear: Power heated clothing like jackets, gloves, or seat pads. If your 2019 Harley Trike has factory heated grips, the ezCAN can often integrate with the same power level controls.
- Ignition-Switched Accessories: Power any accessory that needs to be activated only when the ignition is on, such as GPS units, phone chargers, or other electronic devices.
Installation and Configuration: Step-by-Step for Your Trike
Installing the Hex ezCAN on your 2019 Harley Trike is a straightforward process. Here’s a general outline:
- Mount the ezCAN Unit: Find a secure location under the seat of your 2019 Harley Trike to mount the ezCAN module. Use the included Velcro strips to ensure it stays in place.
- Connect to the Battery: Connect the ezCAN power cables directly to the positive and negative terminals of your Harley Trike’s battery. Ensure proper polarity.
- Plug into the OBD2 Connector: Locate the OBD2 connector on your 2019 Harley Trike and plug in the ezCAN data connector.
- Connect Your Accessories: Connect your chosen accessories to the output cables of the ezCAN. The kit includes various connectors to facilitate this.
- Install the Software: Download and install the HEX ezCAN software from the official website onto your Windows PC or Mac.
- Configure via USB: Connect your computer to the ezCAN module using the provided micro USB cable. Launch the software and configure each output channel according to the accessories you’ve installed and your desired functionalities.
Software Customization: The Hex ezCAN software provides an intuitive interface to configure accessory options, allowing 2019 Harley Trike owners to tailor the functionality of each output channel to their specific needs and preferences.
Remember to consult the detailed installation videos and guides available on the DENALI and ezCAN websites for bike-specific instructions and best practices for your 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike model.
Choosing Between DENALI CANsmart and Hex ezCAN for Your Trike
While both the DENALI CANsmart and Hex ezCAN are excellent accessory controllers manufactured by Hexcode, there are slight differences to consider for your 2019 Harley Trike.
- Connectors: The DENALI CANsmart is designed to be plug-and-play with DENALI lights and horns, using Sumitomo MT connectors. The Hex ezCAN is a more generic solution and comes with loose connectors to accommodate a wider range of accessories. Both the ezCAN GEN II and DENALI CANsmart GEN II use Sumitomo MT connectors.
- Included Cables: The DENALI CANsmart kit includes extension cables specifically for DENALI products. The Hex ezCAN kit does not include extension cables but they are available separately.
For 2019 Harley Trike owners planning to use DENALI lights, the CANsmart might offer a slightly more streamlined experience out of the box. However, the Hex ezCAN, especially with the optional extension cables, provides greater flexibility for using accessories from various brands. Ultimately, both are high-quality options that will significantly simplify accessory installation on your 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike.
Conclusion: Elevate Your 2019 Harley Trike Experience
The Hex ezCAN accessory controller is a game-changer for 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike owners looking to enhance their bikes with aftermarket accessories. By intelligently utilizing the OBD2 connector and your bike’s Can-bus system, the ezCAN simplifies installation, preserves your warranty, and unlocks a new level of customization and safety. Say goodbye to complex wiring and hello to seamless accessory integration, allowing you to fully enjoy your 2019 Harley Trike with all the features you desire.
For further information and to explore detailed specifications, visit the official Hex website and the DENALI website.
Kit Contents – ezCAN Harley-Davidson “Daytona”
- ezCAN Device Harley-Davidson “Daytona”
- 6-pin Deutsch connector x 1
- Euro 5 connector x 1
- Micro USB Cable x 1
- Velcro Strips x 2
- Blanking Plugs x 2
- Cable Ties x 4
- Stub Connectors (2-wire) x 4
- Terminal wires x 4
- Blanking Seals x 4
