LED Battery Gauge by Kuryakyn

[duaneage]

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

[J_C]

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.

[twistedwankel]

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.

[cloudbreakmd]

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

[Boondocks]

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.

[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

[duaneage]

Hey gang,



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

That's strange, the "$21 version" does this already. The clock and other features are always on when the ignition is off. And your right about price. When something that good is half the price (because it does not say Kuryakin) there seems to be little need for GSers to go there.

[jonr]

That's strange, the "$21 version" does this already. The clock and other features are always on when the ignition is off. And your right about price. When something that good is half the price (because it does not say Kuryakin) there seems to be little need for GSers to go there.

I'm confused then. One of the earlier posts indicated that the $21 version has 9mA draw when the bike is off and that if you wired to an ignition wire and not a constant hot, you would have to reset the clock every time.

J

[duaneage]

I'm confused then. One of the earlier posts indicated that the $21 version has 9mA draw when the bike is off and that if you wired to an ignition wire and not a constant hot, you would have to reset the clock every time.

J

Nahh, not true. The red wire keeps it on for the clocks sake. The Orange wire goes to switched 12 adn that powers the lights up

[NewGSguy400]

how difficult was installing this sensor?

[jonr]

NewGSGuy,

It's not too hard if you have a simple understanding of electricity. Depending on your GS model, the necessary wires go right by your ignition switch and into the head light bucket. It's ideal to hook up the constant hot to the red wire that comes straight from your fuse box or battery. That wire will provide the most accuracy for your volt meter. For the orange or switched lead, find one of the orange or orange/striped wires on your bike and hook into that. This would all be easier to visualize if you had a wiring diagram for your GS.

-J

[mixongw]

how difficult was installing this sensor?

Which one?

[NewGSguy400]

the $21 version

[dennis roy]

I bought the cheaper meter and had the same problem with it reading lower voltage than what it really was. I guess i'll have to call them and see what I have to do.

[Gravity Tester]

I am bumping this thread because I am curious how this meter has held up for two years? Is anyone still ussing it? How well has it held up in the weather?

Thanks
Pat