Voltmeter install

[KDS111]

Hello All,
Is it possible and has anyone installed a voltmeter permanently on a 1980 GS850GLT. If so, can you share the steps to install one.There is an idiot light for oil pressure but not for charging. Seems to me it is just as important as oil pressure.
Thanks for all the help.

[chef1366]

Posplayr is the man to talk to.

[spyug]

Very good plan and not hard at all. I put them on all my bikes. There are two types analog (mechanical )and digital ( either with a numeric display or coloured L.E.D.s). Digital would be more accurate but analogs work well enough for us. I have been cheap analogs on my last 2 bikes but recently picked up some cheap digitals from E-bay ( Taiwan). I actually prefer the analog as the digital (with display), I find somewhat distracting as it is too accurate and the numbers change constantly.

Wiring is not difficult. You will have two leads a red + and a black - (duh). As you don't want the power on all the time you need to run the red to a switched source close to the battery. Technically, the power lead should go directly to the battery ( for accuracy) but then it would be on all the time. I plumb mine into the fuse block and gang it to a lead that only powers when the key is on. To find one take your circuit test light and touch the leads ( at the fuse block) with the key in the on position when it lights up you have a potential source. With the key off the light should go off also ( again duh). Join your red lead to this wire.

Take the ground lead from the meter and attach it to a frame point.

Again with the analog meters, while they are not super accurate they are close enough for "government work" and will give you ample warning of charging issues as you ride along.

I would feel naked without one and at least on 2 occassions they forwarned me of a problem when riding.

Take pics when you install yours.

cheers,
Spyug

[koolaid_kid]

Any pics, spyug?

[KDS111]

Do you have any pics?
Where would you say is the best mounting place?

[bonanzadave]

Yes, Its nice to know what youre charging system is doing. This little $25 meter has worked on my bike for several years. I wouldnt get it wet tho.

[Steve]

Yes, Its nice to know what youre charging system is doing. This little $25 meter has worked on my bike for several years. I wouldnt get it wet tho.

We have one of those on my wife's 850L. One thing you can do to enhance its water resistance is to spray a couple coats of clear polyurethane on it to seal the joint around the display.

The one on my wife's bike is also under a shelf that I had originally installed for a CB radio so we could communicate with each other and the group (hey, we're Goldwingers). We have since installed a J&M CB on the left side of the handlebar, so that shelf is now used for the GPS and the XM radio.



It's nice to also see the time and temperature at a glance.

Dave, you need to set your clock.

.

[bonanzadave]

Dave, you need to set your clock.

Im in the stop watch function for 1/4 mile runs .

[Steve]

Im in the stop watch function for 1/4 mile runs .

Gotcha.

.

[hikermikem]

Yes, Its nice to know what youre charging system is doing. This little $25 meter has worked on my bike for several years. I wouldnt get it wet tho.

Where did you get that meter? I've done a little (OK, very little) searching on e-bay for cheap digiatl voltmeters & they all seem to run $35 - $50.

That one looks nice enough

[Larry D]

Where did you get that meter? I've done a little (OK, very little) searching on e-bay for cheap digiatl voltmeters & they all seem to run $35 - $50.

That one looks nice enough

Here's a place. A little cheaper.

http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/14124.html

[Steve]

Here's the same thing for just a little more money:
http://www.bigbikeparts.com/Inventor...-239?catalogNo=

I only have two complaints about these meters.
1. They are not very weather resistant, but I already mentioned how some spray polyurethane helps that.
2. The backlight is fed by a voltage divider, rather than a constant source. This means that while you are at idle, you might just barely see the display, and while running, it will be plenty bright. However, I have seen several of these meters on different bikes, and the variance in the brightness of the backlight is amazing. Since most of us don't do much riding at night, it's probably not much of a problem. To offset that problem, though, there are the three colored lights that are easy enough to tell whether you are charging or not.

.

[posplayr]

For what the show chrome is (non waterproof) I'm pretty happy with mine.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1153650&postcount=172

BTW, I bought some clear shrink tubing that just slipped over the multimeter. I ended up shrinking it too much and it depressed the some of the buttons. I will probably try again but put less heat so it doesnt shrink as much.

Especially when you compare to the price of this top notch Yoshimura item.

http://yoshimura-shop.netmove.co.jp/ap/dtcat?p=6/7/8&s=135/234/238&l=en&t=/c_chas1_e/c_chas1_e/c_chas2_e/c_chas3_e&d=9842

[Steve]

I'm sure it's pretty pricey, but I saw no indication of how much.

By the way, Pos, that boost gauge for boost, or do you use it as an oil pressure gauge?

.

[bonanzadave]

I only have two complaints about these meters.

Make that 3. The insulation on the wire is less than fragile. Plan on some kinda chafe sleeve over the wire.