LED Battery Gauge by Kuryakyn

[jonr]

Hey gang,

I've actually had the Kuryakyn meter on my bike all of this year. I've been through plenty of rain too (especially on my way back from the E/SE rally last June). Mine has yet to fog up or function incorrectly. The dimmer still works right too.

I will whole-heartedly agree that it is WAY over-priced and that the $21 version that everyone speaks so highly of is much better bang for the buck. However, I thought it was interesting that this thread is on page four and only one person (now two) has reviewed the Kuryakyn meter (probably cause it's $$$).

On a side note, it would be nice if the $21 version would have a built-in button battery to run the clock while the ignition was off.

-J

Why not add a toggle switch to the orange power cable? That way you can turn it off easily.

The orange wire is already switched if the meter is installed correctly. The orange wire activates the backlight and colored LEDs (light emitting diodes) and should be connected to a circuit that is hot only when the ignition is on.

LCDs (liquid crystal display) are very energy efficient. The tiny batteries used in watches can run them for years. The red wire activates the LCDs and is connected to a hot circuit which is always on. The battery voltage, time, and temperature are always displayed when properly hooked up. The current requirement is only 9 mA (milliamps), which is 9/1,000 of an amp. The power usage is about 115 mW (milliwatts), which is 115/1,000 of a watt. This miniscule current/power draw won't run the battery down in normal usage. If a bike is going to sit idle for any length of time, it should be on a battery charger anyway.

I would rather cover mine than disconnect it every time it rains. It rains a lot where I live, and I ride in it. I like to be able to see the meter under all weather conditions.

[cloudbreakmd]

Why not add a toggle switch to the orange power cable? That way you can turn it off easily.

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/TimeVol...Gauge_Install/

The temp when in the sun will read high so I use the external probe out of the sun in a bolt hole and it's dead on. My voltage as is your's off the fuse block is dead on. I don't know how long this thing will last but it sure is cool for now. So you don't like my prophilactic idea? Roll on roll off? Only when it rains.

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/TimeVol...Gauge_Install/

Duaneage, I'd like to see some pictures of how you set it up with the bracket, etc, as well as where you wired it, if you wouldnt mind. (Do we have unterminated wires?)


The site to which you linked is done by a super cool guy. He's one of THE gs500 gurus on the GS500 site. He does great writeups.

[duaneage]

I tried the sensor on the engine but it gets too hot for it. Never tried to monitor Mr. Wrinkle with it

Well, you left such a BIG opening.

...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,

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: :?

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;-)

[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.

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]

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/

[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?

[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