LED Battery Gauge by Kuryakyn

[wharrah]

Got it. That's more info than I'd have expected, but probably how I'll do it. Thanks!

[twistedwankel]

47F You must live in AK

I really like the oil temp gage. Now you've got me thinking again.

Riding at 47F you really can use the black ice warning feature.

[mixongw]

I really like the oil temp gage. Now you've got me thinking again.

Riding at 47F you really can use the black ice warning feature.

Me too. I've always been an instrumentation freak. You should see the cab of my Dodge/Cummins truck.

[duaneage]

I installed a CAS volt meter about 2 years ago. It is not waterproof but I remove it when I park the bike and the sky is grey. I used a stereo headphone jack to make a quick disconnect.

[mixongw]

I also forgot to mention that the LED battery gauge by Kuryakyn is not water proof either!

[Planecrazy]

I imagine it wouldn't take much to create a water resistant enclosure for "less than optimal" weather. I will probably come up with something to address this issue when I install mine.

Regards,

[argonsagas]

About $38.



mixongw, sorry for your poor results with this device. I was leery of it when I first heard of it for a couple of reasons. First, it is a "motorcycle" product, which means that it will be priced outrageously high for the cost and value of the components. Second, and related to the first, is that LED battery voltage testing devices for cars abound, and they are usually less than $10. Nevertheless, for that price they should have gotten it right and made a bug-free product that worked flawlessly given its simple design.

I still think the best voltage monitor at a reasonable price that I have found is the Digital 5-Function Volt Meter. It sells for $21.48 plus low USPS postage.





It was originally made for cars and trucks, so doesn't have a "motorcycle price". I have used mine long enough that I feel comfortable in recommending it. It has so many functions it seems like an inexpensive toy, but it has been reliable and useful in its primary voltmeter function. It even has 3 LEDs - red, amber, and green to monitor voltage. The digital LCD display is large and easy to read even in bright sunlight if mounted at the right angle. It is dimly backlit at night, just enough to easily read it without being so bright as to distract from the other instrument displays. The display is on all the time, but draws only 9mA which is not a problem. It isn't waterproof but there has been no problem with water intrusion yet. I made a cover to use in heavy rain, and also wired it so that it's detachable. It's mounted and attached with velcro right over the center of the handlebars.

The mentioned site links to Casporttouring.com for purchase.

Following item (from another forum) may be of interest (BigBikeParts is the same purchase point)

Originally Posted by markgsnw
Installed one of these jobbies (catalog number 4632, same as Big Bike Parts 4-239 ) a few months ago, thought I'd report back. First, it is water resistant but will leak water around the bezel, which will clear up in a day or so. Ah, but is it accurate, you ask? In a word, no. As others have discovered, the voltmeter is not accurate at all. My first sample read 0.4 volts high, and the second read 0.5 volts too low. Hmmm. Thermometer read 5 degrees high on the first sample and 6 degrees high on the second.

Aerostich is refunding my money. I'll look elsewhere

[dpep]

I imagine it wouldn't take much to create a water resistant enclosure for "less than optimal" weather. I will probably come up with something to address this issue when I install mine.

Regards,

How about covering it with a lamination sheet from office supply?

[duaneage]

Well, the clock is accurate, so is the stopwatch. The thermometer is accurate on mine, reads the same as the thermometer in my garage and also mimics the bank thermometer on the way to work.

As to the voltmeter, that depends on where you take the voltage off. If you run wires to the accessory block and tie in there it is pretty much dead on. I took it from the ignition switch connector and it is a little lower there. But the device will warn you if the RR goes or the stator loses a leg.

I'm happy with mine, got one for my neighbor's 500 yamaha and he likes it too.

I tried to waterproof mine with rtv around the edges but the water can get in through many different places. Removing it is the best option, it only takes a few seconds to reset the time. I mad a mounting bracket for it out if a stereo mounting kit from Radio Shack.

I found this link a while ago, very relevant considering he installed it on a suzuki

http://www.bbburma.net/HowTo/TimeVoltageTempGauge_Install/

[Boondocks]

The mentioned site links to Casporttouring.com for purchase.

Following item (from another forum) may be of interest (BigBikeParts is the same purchase point)

Originally Posted by markgsnw
Installed one of these jobbies (catalog number 4632, same as Big Bike Parts 4-239 ) a few months ago, thought I'd report back. First, it is water resistant but will leak water around the bezel, which will clear up in a day or so. Ah, but is it accurate, you ask? In a word, no. As others have discovered, the voltmeter is not accurate at all. My first sample read 0.4 volts high, and the second read 0.5 volts too low. Hmmm. Thermometer read 5 degrees high on the first sample and 6 degrees high on the second.

Aerostich is refunding my money. I'll look elsewhere

There will usually be some deviation in voltage even with hand held digital multitesters. If a multitester is rated at +/- 2% accuracy, 14V will read as 14.28V at the +2% end of the range. Another sample of the same multitester could read 13.72V at the -2% end of the accuracy range. This is a total deviation of .56V, and would still fall within the spec of the meters.

The voltage is accurate on my meter, and so is the thermometer under reasonable conditions. If the thermometer is in direct sunlight, it won't be accurate, and neither will any other thermometer. If some of the cooling airflow from the engine reaches the thermometer, as it can if the meter is behind a windshield or fairing, it may cause the thermometer to read high. The same thing would happen with any other thermometer. If you check out thermometers at a hardware store, you will find that few of them agree. If my thermometer is not in sunlight and not getting engine heat, it is right on. There is a remote thermometer sensor that can be mounted out of sunlight and in front of engine heat for the best accuracy.

I'm amazed that some seem to have stringent expectations of this $21 electronic device that provides 5 functions. If they hope to get a calibrated laboratory grade precision instrument for that price, they will be disappointed. I think that it is an excellent value.

It is simple enought to fashion a rain cover for the meter. It is also easy to put a quick disconnect in the wiring to that the unit may be removed. I made a cover for mine, and I can also unplug and remove it if I want to.

[duaneage]

I'm amazed that some seem to have stringent expectations of this $21 electronic device that provides 5 functions. If they hope to get a calibrated laboratory grade precision instrument for that price, they will be disappointed. I think that it is an excellent value.

Well put. It even does minimum/maximum temp as well as celsius. And 24 hour time for our service men and women. And it doesn't look totally stupid or cheap. My neighbor thought I paid 60 or 70 dollars for it.

[Planecrazy]

I'm amazed that some seem to have stringent expectations of this $21 electronic device that provides 5 functions. If they hope to get a calibrated laboratory grade precision instrument for that price, they will be disappointed. I think that it is an excellent value.

WHAT?? You mean this thing isn't going to give me "core body temperature" and alert me if I'm becoming hypothermic? I paid 21 bucks (PLUS SHIPPING) for this thing!! ONLY 5 functions for 21 bucks?? And what's with that very handsome, "upscale" (pardon the pun) looking display ... Don't forget, I paid 21 whole bucks for it -- I want it all!!!:shock::-P;-)

[Boondocks]

WHAT?? You mean this thing isn't going to give me "core body temperature" and alert me if I'm becoming hypothermic? I paid 21 bucks (PLUS SHIPPING) for this thing!! ONLY 5 functions for 21 bucks?? And what's with that very handsome, "upscale" (pardon the pun) looking display ... Don't forget, I paid 21 whole bucks for it -- I want it all!!!

If you want to measure core body temperature, you could try inserting the remote thermometer sensor in your ... (choice of body cavity). :shock: :?

[Planecrazy]

...You talking to me??;-)

Actually, I KNEW you (or someone else) would pick up on that ... thought about it as I typed it and then thought, "Oh what the ...., it's worth a laugh!"

Regards,

[Boondocks]

Well, you left such a BIG opening.