RC Randy Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Found these little compact voltmeters on Ebay for only $7.18 shipped direct from China. They are waterproof, come in different colors, and small enough, it is pretty easy to find a place to mount in your cockpit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/171764710007?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=470716404364&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I had been using the Signal Dynamics LED meter that changes color at different values, but you never could see the exact fluctuations. I credit it to getting me home one day when the original stator quit on my 99 XX at 77K, and I was about 100 miles from home. It went red, I pulled over, pulled the fuse to the headlight and the bike cranked normally when I made it home. All my bikes will soon have these little Chinese meters, even my ZX14, because I don't usually have the display showing volts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 nice find, thanks for posting, nice work mounting it too, how did you do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I have the same on my bike.prefer it to the kuryakin one i had on it previously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC Randy Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 nice find, thanks for posting, nice work mounting it too, how did you do it? Paul- Didn't take long Scribe mark on panel with tip of a Xacto knife around meter Dremel close to the scribe marks Use Xacto to shave panel until meter slides through Tack in place with thick CA glue Used black silicone around meter on back side Wire to 12V source-I used a connector inline so I can unplug it when needing to remove panel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 thanks for that, might give it a go, looks really good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Would you measure the amperage draw on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Nice! I've just ordered one. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC Randy Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) Would you measure the amperage draw on it? I don't have meter at home to measure mA, but will try to bring one from work. Says <10mA, but I put mine on switched power so I didn't have to worry about battery drain. Edited March 22, 2016 by RC Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I ordered 2 - thanks for the link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 i'm thinking about one of these now, manufacturers should have been putting charge idiot light along time ago http://roadstercycle.com/Motorcycle%20voltage%20monitor.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 16 minutes ago, paul99xx said: i'm thinking about one of these now, manufacturers should have been putting charge idiot light along time ago http://roadstercycle.com/Motorcycle%20voltage%20monitor.htm Better than nothing, but not better than a voltmeter if you know what to look for and pay attention to it. Having both would be a better option, one to alert and the other to see what's actually happening. The light allowing 13.2 as ok is ridiculous; yes it charging, but not ok. They don't publish the voltages for amber, red, or flashing red; but if 13.2 is considered normal charging I'm guessing the red zone will be below operational voltage for most bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 6 minutes ago, superhawk996 said: Better than nothing, but not better than a voltmeter if you know what to look for and pay attention to it. Having both would be a better option, one to alert and the other to see what's actually happening. The light allowing 13.2 as ok is ridiculous; yes it charging, but not ok. They don't publish the voltages for amber, red, or flashing red; but if 13.2 is considered normal charging I'm guessing the red zone will be below operational voltage for most bikes. Being able to see voltage numbers was why i went from the kuryakin volt meter which just had a row of different coloured lights,to the volt meter rc randy posted.mines attached in pretty much the same spot as rc randy's but fitted without cutting into the plastic by using stick on velcro dots .I have it wired into the fans wiring cable and while it shows a slightly lower voltage than when i put a volt meter directly to the battery it gives me a pretty good idea whats going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 2 hours ago, superhawk996 said: Better than nothing, but not better than a voltmeter if you know what to look for and pay attention to it. Having both would be a better option, one to alert and the other to see what's actually happening. The light allowing 13.2 as ok is ridiculous; yes it charging, but not ok. They don't publish the voltages for amber, red, or flashing red; but if 13.2 is considered normal charging I'm guessing the red zone will be below operational voltage for most bikes. did they set it so low so it doesn't go off every time you're idling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Possibly. I don't think mine goes that low at idle, but if I were relying on that indicator I'd rather have false alerts at idle than to not know something's starting to go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 you're right, might get the display for bb and the warning light for other bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I found this volt meter even cheaper-$4.27 shipped. http://www.newfrog.com/p/waterproof-dc-2-5-to-30v-red-led-panel-meter-dc-digital-voltmeter-two-wire-30707.html?utm_source=emars&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=+0406newsletteractive02_Closingdownsale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 That's what I have on my bike blackhawk. Sits between cluster and windscreen. With a little bit of 3m velcro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 1 hour ago, The Krypt Keeper said: That's what I have on my bike blackhawk. Sits between cluster and windscreen. With a little bit of 3m Velcro How did you wire it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Got it wired to monitor the voltage of the battery. Figure if stator goes tits up I will get a fluctuation and a drop, if regulator let's go I will see a spike in voltage and get it shutoff before more damage occurs. Would love to monitor all 3 individually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I meant where did you tap into, just any switched power that you found or somewhere else? The reason I ask is there have been other threads that suggested that it makes a difference where it is connected to get accurate readings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 Direct to the battery would be the most accurate, but you'd need a switch to keep it from draining the battery. The best automatic spot that comes to mind would be one of the relays or fuses that's only powered with the engine on. I've read of people tapping into the headlight wire because it's close. Your reading would be lower than actual battery voltage, but not a huge deal as long as you establish what your normal voltage is....and know it'll turn off with the high beam and that it'll change if you put in a different power bulb or if the the bulb burns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 oh, sorry... when I get back home I will look and take a few pics.. I honestly forget.. I know I don't run a switch, it comes on when key is turned on but I ran the wires back to the battery area... so its close... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 I've got mine in the LH mirror. Most of you have seen it, I have really enjoyed the location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 I really enjoy it also... wanna swap mirrors and you make another? give you $5 and a yummy cigar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 On one mirror? That would be unbalanced. Maybe a amp meter in the other. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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