Voltmeter Mod

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by CaptainPugwash, Sep 4, 2019.

  1. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    Hi all

    Given my ongoing charging problems (see my other thread) I was wondering how feasible it would be to add a meter to my 6th gen.

    I've found a few old threads on here... but most of the links are now dead.

    I will continue to research... but if anyone has any experience and advice on this I'd be grateful for the help.

    Paul

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  2. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I would go through your wiring and check all your connectors for oxidation/corrosion that creates resistance and heat. Low voltage systems are very susceptible resistance and voltage drops.
     
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  3. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    I am just hoping to somehow wire in a volt meter, so I can see the battery voltage....

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  4. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    A voltmeter wired direct across the battery terminals is the best but you need to add a relay so that it switches on/off with the ignition. A second option would be to wire the voltmeter from a switched source e.g. the instrument lights, that only indirectly measures the battery voltage but will be a good indicator. A third option is to get a voltage indicator light; no actual voltage reading but a green/amber/red indicator showing charging health. I have had a good run from one of these: https://gammatronixltd.com/epages/b...e94c71-c5b6-4572-89a1-e89006e78fbe/Products/J wired direct to the battery.
     
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  5. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I'm still at wire a digital voltmeter direct to the battery... since any digital voltmeter only draws power in the millivolt range, wire in a switch direct inline with 1 amp fuse to the pos battery side and then you can ground the neg. Relay is not really needed....
    Advantage is to be able to tell battery condition before you start the bike.
    I'm currently running this lascar.... does the job..
    [​IMG]

    Lots and lots of options - latest one I like... Switch is built in already...
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCQRHTD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Lots and lots of ideas in thread below...........
    https://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/forums/topic/70384-post-your-voltmeter-mount-pics/
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2019
  6. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    Oooh. That's neat... and exactly what I had in mind. Do you mind if I steal you design?
    Could you please tell me or show me more about your mount and your switch?
    #wantit

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  7. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I mounted mine in the dash connected to the headlight power. Cost less than 2 GDP. I use it to keep an eye on the ranges as as long as you are NOT putting 17V + through your charging system you dont have to worry about the system taking out the batt & R/R. If the voltage is too low (under 12V then it will go flat - & I'm lazy - I don't like pushing a bike due to stupidity - Will add a pic later.
     
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  8. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    Please do

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  9. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I mounted my gauge through the steering head, used an irrigation fitting to adapt between the gauge and the steering stem, and ran the wires up through the stem with a piece of rubber hose to protect them from chafing. LED gauges are not the best on a bike and not easy to read in sunlight.
    upload_2019-9-6_10-22-37.png
     
  10. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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  11. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Mounting kinda goes like.... I didnt want to cut any holes on my bike, so the tank mount looked like a good spot..
    [​IMG]

    But the meter is too wide to set between the tank bolts, so a bit of creativity needed to happen, I started with a 1 in wide aluminum piece from the hardware store...
    And drilled holes to go to the tank mount, plus some wider holes to figure out some way for the meter mount... 2 bolts on the ends to make a stand off...
    [​IMG]

    The meter itself only has one fastener in the middle on the back side and held down with a nut and a gasket..
    [​IMG]

    Mounting the base plate with standoffs at the tank mounts -(you can get a glimpse of the back of the meter lower left on the pic)
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    So just add the meter plate over the standoffs and add mount nuts.. .nothing really fancy.. kinda fiddly to put it together..
    The "sandwich" of the 2 plates leaves room for wires to fit in there..
    [​IMG]
    The wiring runs down the left side, zip tied along the harness routed to the battery - ez stuff.
    [​IMG]

    Been running this 7 or 8 years --- I've been told, the meter is not waterproof... I probly would try a different meter if I was starting over...
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2019
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  12. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    ok hear it is...

    [​IMG]VFR800 Dash by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Mounted behind the cowl in the bottom left - its an empty area of the cowl - & connected to the switched side of the headlight. You can get them in various colours but I liked the blue & its visible without being obtrusive. Putting it in the stem centre was not going to happen as I use a RAM mount in that location for my GPS. This is out of the way, positioned where all the other instruments are, in a protected area (but still waterproof) & really cheap.
     
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  13. Hans Olsson

    Hans Olsson New Member

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    My way. Bike is a 2003 vfr 800. IMG_20190906_163330.jpg
     
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  14. Wahlstrom

    Wahlstrom New Member

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    I’ll be fitting this when it arrives in my 3rd gen..
    Thinking of placing it in the black plastic cover on the left side

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  15. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    Where is your switch?

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  16. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I used a switch I found at the AutoZone parts store and mounted under the seat.
    It shows a few years of wear and tear.... I would do it different a 2nd time around...

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2019
  17. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    Thanks. Sounds like you wouldn't repeat this mod in the same way if you did it again. It looks really neat.

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  18. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    I really like this one too. I'm a bit unsure of making any cuts or holes in the standard equipment.
    I realise that this will limit my options somewhat!

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  19. CaptainPugwash

    CaptainPugwash New Member

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    Interesting. Wired direct to the battery you say? Do you not switch it at all? Or fuse?

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  20. Wahlstrom

    Wahlstrom New Member

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    The digital clock my 3rd gen must draw at least twice the power than the LED voltmeter I’m about to fit. Shouldn’t cause any trouble fitting it directly to the battery.
    The trouble begins, for my part, if I start charging phones etc while the bike is parked..

    But again, the voltmeter will show, and I’ll be able to put a charger on....
     
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