Battery Indicator

[darrell3001]

Hello everyone,

1983 GS1100E restore project

Im installing a generic battery that does not have an indicator lead. Thus i have nowhere to hook the battery sensor. Looking for suggestions on muting the battery indicator light on the dash. Ive had a couple of thoughts, but would like to get suggestions from the group.

Options ive considered:

1) remove the bulb from the dash
2) hard wire the indicator into the + post on the battery

Im looking for an option that reversible in the future, in the event that i install a factory battery that has a sensor cable.

Any/All suggestions welcome.

Best Regards,

Darrell

 

[posplayr]

Both have been done. I think I once measured the current draw through the wire tying it to Batt+ . Also pretty sure i cut off the resistor from the battery to try and limit some current. IIRC did not make a bunch of difference but probably safer.

Going to LEd lights saves quite a bit of power, but if you don't plan on open the gauge package then probably not worth the effort. You could then just leave out the Batt light.

I actually modified my gauges to replace that light with an LED volt meter.

 

[Rob S.]

...in the event that i install a factory battery that has a sensor cable.

Original factory battery was wet. As you know, even without stock airbox, battery access requires displacing the tank and removing a frame submember (4 bolts).

I would never return to a wet battery in my 11E.

Please show us pictures of your air-cooled Superbike!

 

[Steve]

Not sure that I would hard wire to the battery. :-k

Personally, I would connect to one of the switched power leads.

.

 

[posplayr]

Not sure that I would hard wire to the battery. :-k

Personally, I would connect to one of the switched power leads.

.

probably better

 

[rphillips]

Yep, tie into the tail light wire, it's right there close.

 

[darrell3001]

Hi posplayr,

in your post you mention two things that have perked my curiosity. 1) going to LED lights and 2) a modification to install an LED volt meter. Can you give me some insight on these mods?

Is there a separate thread where you document the parts used and the process? If so, just point me to it and i will do my own research. If not, if you could send me info that would be great. I would like to do the same on mine while ive got it torn down for repair.

1) ? LED lights.. Can i replace all bulbs (headlight, gauge bulbs and turn signals) with LED? If so can you point me to a good source for these type of bulbs? Also, my understanding is that the fault indicators for these lamps is based on a "lower than normal" current draw by the bulb. Can this be overcome with some wiring harness modifications?

2) LED Volt meter.. I assume you found something on Amazon and somehow mounted it in the gauge package. Can you send me examples of your work? Would like to do something similar. I found a "small" digital volt meter on Amazon and ordered it. It slightly to big to fit where the batter light would go, so i have to figure out something else. Also, how did you wire the volt meter into the wiring harness? If you wire it straight into the battery, i assume you would have a constant (very small) drain on the battery. Did you wire a diode across it such that it is somehow wired thru the ignition switch? Very curious.

Best Regards,

Darrell

 

[posplayr]

Hi posplayr,

in your post you mention two things that have perked my curiosity. 1) going to LED lights and 2) a modification to install an LED volt meter. Can you give me some insight on these mods?

Is there a separate thread where you document the parts used and the process? If so, just point me to it and i will do my own research. If not, if you could send me info that would be great. I would like to do the same on mine while ive got it torn down for repair.

1) ? LED lights.. Can i replace all bulbs (headlight, gauge bulbs and turn signals) with LED? If so can you point me to a good source for these type of bulbs? Also, my understanding is that the fault indicators for these lamps is based on a "lower than normal" current draw by the bulb. Can this be overcome with some wiring harness modifications?

2) LED Volt meter.. I assume you found something on Amazon and somehow mounted it in the gauge package. Can you send me examples of your work? Would like to do something similar. I found a "small" digital volt meter on Amazon and ordered it. It slightly to big to fit where the batter light would go, so i have to figure out something else. Also, how did you wire the volt meter into the wiring harness? If you wire it straight into the battery, i assume you would have a constant (very small) drain on the battery. Did you wire a diode across it such that it is somehow wired thru the ignition switch? Very curious.

Best Regards,

Darrell

First and foremost if you change out all your incandescent bulbs (which I recommend), you will need to get a Series R/R like the SH-775 or a Compufire. This is becuase teh SHUNT R/R need the incandescent light loads to avoid burning up your stator. If you reduce the light loads that additional power goes to the stator.


1.) LED running and brake lights can be replace with LED style , I did a study back in 2016 that was not positive for using LEDs for directionals but since then there are new LED bulbs with projector lense that are much brighter.
https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...ts-SYLVANIA-3157-ZEVO-LED-Red-Bulb&highlight=

As far as dash lights you can buy whatever you need from ebay. I still have an assortment of colored LED dash lights i bought (green,blue,red, yellow IIRC)

As far a headlamps, i suspect you don't want to get rid of the headlamp so going to custom purpose built light fixture is not possible (e.g. Trunkllite) . I used the Cyclops and posted a video. They may have an upgrade by now. It worked well including the adjustment.
https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...-Cyclops-3800-H4-LED-Headlamp-Bulb&highlight=

Running LED requires a electronic blinker and that then involves your TCSU (auto cancel). If you want to dump the auto cancel then any 2 pin flasher relay will work. If not then you can follow this thread.
https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...alled-TSCU-MOD-for-LED-Conversions&highlight=


The idiot headlamp bulb in the dash can simply be removed. I took my dash apart and put a small LED volt meter in.


This is small water proof you can stick somewhere.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IPX6-Water...hash=item1a881b30c1:m:mVe2OKDetQFg49_DbVprxbA


This is one that will actually fit inside of your dash.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-28-2-Wir...rand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

There are all sorts on Ebay and amazon. I probably wold not recommend ordering anything that is not already in the US due to teh coronavirus.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-24V-Ca...hBBEV1Demotion&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851


Something else i would recommend is to swap out the gear indicator in the dash. There are LED versions that will fit in the existing housing. I made up and extra but can find it now.
This is a six gear , but you just do not activate that wire. Much more visible than the stock LED with 2.5w bulb illunination.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-...rand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851