Ground Control to Major Tom!!!

[Guest]

I probably get laughed at here for my drill back up battery, but please remember; We are supposed to be having fun. I am trying to build a quality machine. If you get to Hutchinson, Kansas, They have the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and inside there is the Apollo 13 capsule. I was there, I touched it. See, that is what having a quality bike is all about.. Like the Apollo 13 capsule, I too want gauges that give me real time information and back up systems. They made it back and I want to make it home from long trips too. Here is how it is going so far:

I installed these gauges:
The first gauge is the Ammeter, the second is the volt meter and third is the water temp gauge that came with the set. I placed the water temp sensor between the carbs.

20151018_120815_resized_1.jpg
I am picking up a T.P.I box, I will feel better knowing I will have information and back up systems out on the road.

I also went with the Polaris R/R. It keeps the Ammeter on zero and the Voltage gauge on 12. I think its working.

I am almost there. I want to replace the lead acid battery with a newer type.

Mechanically, I hear these bikes are pretty tough and mine has only 23K miles so far.

Can't wait to get on my bike and ride!!!

Thank you folks for all your great ideas! With me, the only stupid questions are the ones that are never asked.

[Steve]

I also went with the Polaris R/R. It keeps the Ammeter on zero and the Voltage gauge on 12. I think its working.

The ammeter reading zero might be OK, depending on where the sensor is mounted, but your voltmeter should be reading over 12.5 before you start the bike and just a bit over 14 when running.

I would say you are not quite there yet.

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[whatparthurts]

The ammeter reading zero might be OK, depending on where the sensor is mounted, but your voltmeter should be reading over 12.5 before you start the bike and just a bit over 14 when running.

I would say you are not quite there yet.

.

Thank you, Houston, We have a problem, Yes it starts out charging and within 10 miles the ammeter goes to zero and the volts drop to 12v. I'm planning an 800 mile trip to Santa Monica, better bring my drill battery...lol Just thinking on breaking out my calibrated electronic volt meter tomorrow for starters, also, the gs 750 R/R I had on it temporarily read 14 volts, Polaris or GS, do they function the same? What do you suggest?

[tom203]

Nice set of 1960's gauges- but you should have opted for an 8 track player . You just might be overthinking this. Get a decent battery, monitor its voltage as you ride and enjoy happy motoring ( at least as far as charging goes). I'm finishing up my third season with the SH-775 and have had no issues and that's with using a stator that was tortured by shunt units before the switch.

[tkent02]

Polaris or GS, do they function the same?

Not even close.

[Steve]

Polaris, all the way.

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[whatparthurts]

Nice set of 1960's gauges- but you should have opted for an 8 track player .

I'm in my 50's You wouldn't understand...lol

[tom203]

I'm in my 50's You wouldn't understand...lol

I've long forgotten what I didn't know in my 50's

[seanarthurmachado]

I'm in my 50's You wouldn't understand...lol

I'm not sure what the average age is here but I suspect I'm one of the younger ones at 43.

Sean

[mrbill5491]

I'm not sure what the average age is here but I suspect I'm one of the younger ones at 43.

Sean

Whipper snapper you are.

[Grimly]

The ammeter just adds extra wire to no real purpose - except introduce volt drop and bad connections (unless you shunt it). A good accurate voltmeter is all you really need. The temp gauge, reading cylinder air, is fine though - at least you know something of what's going on thermally.

[whatparthurts]

in my 50's

Senpai, Master, I should have known.

[Redman]

Posting title, was funny. THought you were asking about how to make a ground connection or something.

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[60ratrod]

I think i'm at the lower end of the spectrum at 30

[Brendan W]

Some of the more interesting discoveries I have made was doing stuff that I shouldn't have and stuff that shouldn't have worked.
To continue in the Apollo 13 spirit, you will need duct tape. You'll only know why when it happens
For the record I repaired a chain with a nail that got me the last ten miles to a ferry home before France shut down.