LED Battery Gauge by Kuryakyn

installation question.

I just bought one of these, but now I have a question before I install it:

When you wired it up, did you wire it permenantly 'on'? I hate the idea of resetting the clock every time I start up, but also don't like the idea of draining my battery dead if I don't ride for a week. I would probably not worry so much if it was just the clock, but the LEDs worry me.

Experience comments appreciated.

I might just have to upgrade! This sounds like a great piece of instrumentation. Believe it or not, the addition of the clock was one of the most attractive features for me.

Fantastic Piece of Equipment

I cannot thank you enough for putting me onto the Digital volt meter.

I spent more time sorting out the wires to segregate the ignition on off than I did putting it on the bike. Ended up putting the orange wire with the light switch for close proximity.

Everything worked but the first one read 3.5 volts low so it tripped the low voltage alarm.

I talked to California Sport Touring.com and they replaced it with a RMA number in less than a week. The second one works perfectly.

I love this thing. It has a clock and tells me the temp in two places. And three other things....wow.

I cannot thank you enough for this tip. I'll never need a VOM hooked up again.

Doug

That name sounds expensive. How much $ ?

About $38.

I recently purchased one of these little jewels to monitor the weakest link in the GS - The Electrical System. It functions as advertised but has a few negatives. The dimmer is a little strange. The LEDs next to the dimmer keep the dimmer from working. It thinks it's still daytime. If I put my finger over the sensor, it dims and stays dim. It is also not water resistant. I got in some rain and it fogged up. The lense is just glue tacked to the case. It came off with a piece of tape. I blew out the water with compressed air and re-installed the lense. The LEDs are extreemly bright, even in the "dimmed" mode. They are a little distracting. Apearantly, there was no hysteriesis built into the circuitry. When it is between tow different levels of indication, the highest LED flashes on and off at a rapid rate, which is also distracting.

It works.

Would I buy it again?

Probably not.

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.

Includes voltage monitoring from 11.0V to 16.0V with thermometer, ice alert, clock, stop watch and lap counter. Runs off 12V bike power and is lighted. Also has remote sensor for temperature. Attaches with Velcro. Size is 5-1/2" L x 1" H x 3/4" D.

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.

[bonanzadave]

That name sounds expensive. How much $ ?

I recently purchased one of these little jewels to monitor the weakest link in the GS - The Electrical System. It functions as advertised but has a few negatives. The dimmer is a little strange. The LEDs next to the dimmer keep the dimmer from working. It thinks it's still daytime. If I put my finger over the sensor, it dims and stays dim. It is also not water resistant. I got in some rain and it fogged up. The lense is just glue tacked to the case. It came off with a piece of tape. I blew out the water with compressed air and re-installed the lense. The LEDs are extreemly bright, even in the "dimmed" mode. They are a little distracting. Apearantly, there was no hysteriesis built into the circuitry. When it is between tow different levels of indication, the highest LED flashes on and off at a rapid rate, which is also distracting.

It works.

Would I buy it again?

Probably not.