Ducati Monster Forum

Local Clubs => OZ monsters => Topic started by: Roaduser on October 31, 2011, 07:55:56 PM

Title: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Roaduser on October 31, 2011, 07:55:56 PM
Hey all, I've had this thing stored in my to do if i bother list for a while and since i have a lovely intermittent charging fault that I'm yet to properly fix, I'm now looking at getting one of these to keep an eye on things for now and after the fix as it really sucks having the flat battery possibility in your mind when you go on a long ride to nowhere..... it'll also be helpfull to diagnose the problem with!

not so much that its expensive to freight by myself but i just thought if anyone else wants one, i can get a few and it might save someone else as well as me the drama of a surprise flat in the future. linky below, and I'm in south Sydney so anyone in local area could pick up from my shop or i could post from here if need be, its no dramas.

http://signaldynamics.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=56&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=77 (http://signaldynamics.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=56&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=77)
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Two dogs on October 31, 2011, 08:55:56 PM
 Looks good  [thumbsup]
Is it a device you instal and leave on the bike ?
.
What does Suzj think of this ?
Depending on advice from our resident lectric expert Suz I may be interested .
cheers
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Roaduser on October 31, 2011, 09:17:00 PM
i intend to leave it on. ill prob install it hidden under the cutouts in my top triple or maybe dill it into my cluster if its not too bright. if its bright enough to be annoying ill hide a power switch for it somewhere under the tank.
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Six95 on October 31, 2011, 10:02:33 PM
OR FOR SOMETHING MORE VISUAL..........

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_id=0&Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=66&product_ID=7475&sblid_name=Show_Chrome_Accessories__Big_Bike_Parts____in___Digital_Volt_Meter_ (http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_id=0&Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=66&product_ID=7475&sblid_name=Show_Chrome_Accessories__Big_Bike_Parts____in___Digital_Volt_Meter_)
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: ducatiz on October 31, 2011, 10:15:46 PM
I use this on my older bikes:

Kuryakyn led gauge.  it's about 2.5" wide about 1" tall

(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2007_Kuryakyn_LED_Battery_Gauge.jpg)
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Roaduser on October 31, 2011, 10:43:57 PM
cheers guys, but im more into the subtle look.
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: suzyj on October 31, 2011, 10:44:06 PM
I've got a cool test button on the right bar, just under the kill switch.

If the battery is low, when I push the button it goes "click".  When the battery is good, it goes "badumbadumbadum".

More useful than battery voltage would be charge current, I think.
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: dragonworld. on October 31, 2011, 10:50:53 PM
Hey Suzy. is ""badumbadumbadum". an Italian technical description of voltage capacity or the chorus of the "Little Drummer Boy"  [thumbsup] [laugh] [roll]
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Two dogs on October 31, 2011, 11:01:59 PM
Suz your bike sounds more like   badumbadumbadum  [cheeky]  [laugh]
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Roaduser on October 31, 2011, 11:09:53 PM
haha, well my test button went click...
and I'm not gonna carry around a clamp meter on my bike! voltage is a pretty universal means of testing your charging system on the go for all automotive applications. While a voltage drop could be considered a symptom displayed after the fact, a graduated system will let you know before the problem becomes dire if you take enough notice of it. and a blinking led on my cluster is something ill notice.

if anyone else wants one of these let me know asap. ill wanna order in next coupla days.
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: J5 on November 01, 2011, 12:54:58 AM
Quote from: Six95 on October 31, 2011, 10:02:33 PM
OR FOR SOMETHING MORE VISUAL..........

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_id=0&Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=66&product_ID=7475&sblid_name=Show_Chrome_Accessories__Big_Bike_Parts____in___Digital_Volt_Meter_ (http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_id=0&Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=66&product_ID=7475&sblid_name=Show_Chrome_Accessories__Big_Bike_Parts____in___Digital_Volt_Meter_)

same can be found at jaycar

or can also be found here along with all sorts of gadgets

http://s.dealextreme.com/search/voltmeter.html?PageSize=60 (http://s.dealextreme.com/search/voltmeter.html?PageSize=60)

they have bucket loads of cheap stuff but be aware that they come on the slow boat from china


something like this could also be an option http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Best-Voltmeter-12V-24V-Digital-Red-LED-Voltage-Gauge-Auto-Car-Tester-Volt-Meter-/270825903089?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3f0e7b53f1 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Best-Voltmeter-12V-24V-Digital-Red-LED-Voltage-Gauge-Auto-Car-Tester-Volt-Meter-/270825903089?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3f0e7b53f1)
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: mattyvas on November 01, 2011, 01:14:51 AM
Quote from: Two dogs on October 31, 2011, 11:01:59 PM
Suz your bike sounds more like   badumbadumbadum  [cheeky]  [laugh]

Ouch!
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Two dogs on November 01, 2011, 01:32:58 AM
Agreed MV below the belt [laugh]
:-[ Sorry Suz  internet cajones and red wine is a bad mix call it the" Brian" factor  [cheeky]
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: dragonworld. on November 01, 2011, 02:34:58 AM
http://www.desmotimes.com/product112.htm (http://www.desmotimes.com/product112.htm)

Maybe too much information?? Too many gauges and you spend too much time looking at them than enjoying the ride??  ??? :( [roll]
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: suzyj on November 01, 2011, 03:27:53 AM
Quote from: Two dogs on October 31, 2011, 11:01:59 PM
Suz your bike sounds more like   badumbadumbadum  [cheeky]  [laugh]

Ow.

<sob>

Actually it's okay - my bike isn't compensating for anything, so I don't mind if it's quiet...
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Two dogs on November 01, 2011, 04:03:33 PM
Touche Suz  [laugh]
Well played............. to be continued  [popcorn]
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: victor441 on November 02, 2011, 08:03:18 PM
I put one on my Norton Commando and it works very well, though the ranges are very pessimistic for an older bike with normally functioning Lucas electrics.  One especially good feature is that the LED dims to half brightness if it is in a steady state for several seconds so it is less distracting.  FWIW the LED is bright enough to be seen through a stock amber lens so my bike still looks stock
Title: Re: Battery voltage indicator
Post by: Roaduser on November 03, 2011, 07:43:27 AM
Quote from: victor441 on November 02, 2011, 08:03:18 PM
I put one on my Norton Commando and it works very well, though the ranges are very pessimistic for an older bike with normally functioning Lucas electrics.  One especially good feature is that the LED dims to half brightness if it is in a steady state for several seconds so it is less distracting.  FWIW the LED is bright enough to be seen through a stock amber lens so my bike still looks stock

cool, thanks for your thoughts!! it sounds great for what i want. I'm thinking of using it to replace the immobiliser led, but ill play with it a little when it arrives and see. the dimming function sounds great!