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installation of voltage meter


The Krypt Keeper

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

post-3573-0-95313400-1412033042_thumb.jp

post-3573-0-13449600-1412033061_thumb.jp

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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.

post-1152-0-77166500-1412272543_thumb.jp

Edited by The Krypt Keeper
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.....

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