The Krypt Keeper Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Picked up a voltage meter to keep an eye on the charging system while riding. Got a couple questions Inline fuse? What size amp fuse? 5, 10 Where do most people run the wire leads to to get power and ground? Still thinking about mounting it in the side tank panel or maybe above dash cluster between windscreen. Thanks for any help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrick Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Which one didja get? I never ran a fuse, always ran mine off a fused circuit (running lights - understanding it's less accurate when that circuit is under load, but more looking for deltas than absolute accuracy). If you're running it from the battery, I'd think a very little one would do - somewhere in the .5 - 1 amp range. I hate the thought of cutting the side panels. It can be done tastefully, just my personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 Got one from amazon that had good reviews, ordered the meter, a usb charger also for the xx. Yeah cutting my panel doesn't float my boat. Thanks for the info mike. Got pegs, bars, and brake lines also on my wishlist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrick Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I had one of these velcro'd below the gauge panel, where the plastic fasteners attach to the tabs on the fairing stays: http://www.aerostich.com/5-function-digital-meter.html It fit there perfectly, but it isn't waterproof. Five years after install and uncountable torrential downpours, it gave up. I'll probably get another and waterproof it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 Oh that is nice, I saw something similar but didnt think it would fit above the cluster, never thought about under cluster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Have you ever thought of putting it in your mirror? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I've got a relay that is switched via the taillight. Then I power everything that should be on with the bike, running off that with fuses connected directly to the battery. This leaves the volt meter getting a fairly accurate read of the battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Straight to the battery for accuracy, tho consider the constant draw if you leave the bike parked long times without a tender. You could add a relay triggered by the ignition or a manual switch. For simplicity you could wire it to any of the ignition controlled circuits, it'll read lower than battery voltage, but would still indicate an issue once you know what the voltage should read. The smallest of fuses would still be enough to power it. Mounting could be done with 3M extreme double sided tape. It'll stay forever, but fairly easy to remove if you peel the tape back slowly. There's also one I found somewhere that's just a light; it shows different colors for ok, low, overcharge. It'll grab your attention quicker than a number changing and is very small. Cecome has one so you can ask him where he got it, but I think it's the older version that just shows ok and low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 I liked your mirror setup phil, but not looking to get that involved. Although it is a clean install. Will need this wired to something that comes on. Direct to battery will make it on all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXBirdSlapper Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Anyone run the kuryakyn voltage meter? How is the quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haWHYnXX Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Mine is a Datel voltmeter mounted on the dash. I used to have it mounted in the side panel, but found that, while blingy and cool, it wasn't convenient to monitor (always having to look down) - much easier where it is now. Very old pic of the side panel mount (need to enlarge - it's the only one I could find) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 What pegs and bars are you thinking about? We should talk... I can work with you on my VFR bars and Buell pegs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 Buell pegs and dan moto bars Ben.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) Tackled it this morning. Wanted a clean install, so everything is neat and tucked away. Tapped into the brake light wire harness from rear brake switch up next to battery and relays. Ran wires with LBS brake lines along frame on right side, under duct, and put in line with the wire harness going under cluster. This kept everything nice and tidy. Took time to make sure connections are secured with solder, heat shrink, etc secured the actual meter on top of the cluster with some 3M Velcro. Edited October 2, 2014 by The Krypt Keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Looks nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Hope that it is not too bright at night. Looks good though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Yeah that is my biggest concern. But that leaves me with two options. I got some 20% tint I could use or move it below cluster like mike suggested. Time will only tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewtoy Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Have you ever thought of putting it in your mirror? That sounds way cool. How do you do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Have you ever thought of putting it in your mirror? That sounds way cool. How do you do that? Get a voltmeter. Take your mirror apart. Gently scrape an area of reflective surface. Glue the mirror on. It is not a great fit, and there is some cutting of some of the guts of the mirror involved, but it looks pretty cool. I will find some photos. There is a write up from a long time ago on another forum, but basically that it is. Mine has been going strong for about 40,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewtoy Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Cool. Found another site that sells T/S indicators that has a video on how to do it as well. http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Sequential-33-LED-Turn-Signal-Arrow-Lights-p/35-332.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecome Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Straight to the battery for accuracy, tho consider the constant draw if you leave the bike parked long times without a tender. You could add a relay triggered by the ignition or a manual switch. For simplicity you could wire it to any of the ignition controlled circuits, it'll read lower than battery voltage, but would still indicate an issue once you know what the voltage should read. The smallest of fuses would still be enough to power it. Mounting could be done with 3M extreme double sided tape. It'll stay forever, but fairly easy to remove if you peel the tape back slowly. There's also one I found somewhere that's just a light; it shows different colors for ok, low, overcharge. It'll grab your attention quicker than a number changing and is very small. Cecome has one so you can ask him where he got it, but I think it's the older version that just shows ok and low. you are pretty observant ..don't think it is the older version picked it up less than a year back, better check with rideonxx to confirm..love to see more pics of your new ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDRSK Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Yeah that is my biggest concern. But that leaves me with two options. I got some 20% tint I could use or move it below cluster like mike suggested. Time will only tell. I have what appears to be the same voltmeter as you except mine is red and I used the front parking light as my connection point so as to avoid running wires across the whole length of the bike. I think the reading is slightly more accurate from the rear brake light, but since I am only focusing on the delta, the front connection works for me. By testing the different connections before I formally tapped onto the wires, I noted the front parking light is 1 volt lower than directly reading the battery. That is for engine off, engine at idle and engine revs to about 3k. When I run the bike the readings run up to 13.4 sometimes 13.5 which mean the actual battery reading would be 14.4-14.5, irrespective of whether I am at 3k to 7k rpm, which I think signifies the r/r is working fine (i.e. no spikes). The brightness is a bit much, since the numbers are fairly large, but not too bad. I rode the bike last night and it is not distracting. I also placed it on top of the dash with Velcro for now. Thought about the tint too. The red does match my rpm gauge at night, albeit much brighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I have wondered about getting a compass / temp out of a cage mirror and fitting it in a bike mirror. They must be available in a salvage yard. Then when I can't remember where I was going I'll at least know what direction I'm headed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted October 11, 2014 Author Share Posted October 11, 2014 Got gas in tank? Never lost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Got gas in tank? Never lost So is the converse true? I ran out of gas on an interstate in Minnesota within sight of a gas station. I didn't FEEL lost..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.