whats the feeling on installing it by splicing it onto the orange wire coming from the ignition switch or attaching it directly onto the battery and using a relay ?
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Kuryakyn L.E.D. Battery Gauge
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Kuryakyn L.E.D. Battery Gauge
For my 73rd birthday I treated myself to a Kuryakyn L.E.D. Battery Gauge
whats the feeling on installing it by splicing it onto the orange wire coming from the ignition switch or attaching it directly onto the battery and using a relay ?
The big guy up there rides a Suzuki (this I know)
1981 gs850gx
1999 RF900
past bikes. RF900
TL1000s
Hayabusa
gsx 750f x2
197cc Francis Barnett
various British nailsTags: None
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With those two choices, I would rather use a relay.
There are a couple of reasons for that. One is that you are already reading a possible voltage drop after the ignition switch. Another is that the only fuse between the meter and the battery is a 15-amp fuse, and it's the MAIN fuse. That meter draws a mere fraction of an amp, so if some wires get crossed or damaged, there is going to be a LOT of smoke. If something happens to your wiring,
One comment on locating the gauge itself. If you ride very much at night, place the gauge where you can see it, but it's not pointing directly at you. The LEDs are rather directional and shine rather brightly, which is very distracting at night. If all your riding is in daytime, having it pointing directly at you lets you see the LEDs better.
Did you get the black one or the chrome?
Oh, yeah, pictures of the install are definitely required.
.sigpic
mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)
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Hi I ordered the black one, you stated out of the two choices you would go with the relay. My question, is there an alternative method you would recommend ?The big guy up there rides a Suzuki (this I know)
1981 gs850gx
1999 RF900
past bikes. RF900
TL1000s
Hayabusa
gsx 750f x2
197cc Francis Barnett
various British nails
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Orange wire is the best imo. Rather than a "splice" you might slip the bare "+" end in at the multi-connector, with a bit of glue or tape applied nearby to hold the wire so it doesn't winkle itself out....likewise its "-" groundwire can be slipped right through the bullet on any handy B/W (Black/White stripe)...the "bullet" ends are hollow. Just pass the bare end right through it and give it a little bend where it comes through and push the connection back together..or, similar.
Avoid "splices" whereever you can, especially installing doofunnies.Last edited by Gorminrider; 09-22-2019, 11:18 AM.
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Originally posted by fastbysuzuki View PostHi I ordered the black one, you stated out of the two choices you would go with the relay. My question, is there an alternative method you would recommend ?
If you want to track BATTERY voltage, you will want to use a relay that is triggered by a switched wire. The relay will be connected to the battery (through a fuse, of course) and the trigger can be provided by the SIGNALS fuse. It's a bit of overkill, but will give you the most accurate BATTERY voltage.
If you want to track a LOAD voltage, just slip your power lead for the meter in a connector for a coil or the headlight, like gorminrider suggested.
In my opinion, battery voltage is more important to know.
.sigpic
mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)
Comment
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I used a relay for mine as voltage at the coils with stock wiring at best will be 0.5 volt below that of the battery. Same point of voltage I used when I ran the Honda RRs with the voltage sense wite.'84 GS750EF (Oct 2015 BOM) '79 GS1000N (June 2007 BOM) My Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/soates50/
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/35860327946_08fdd555ac_z.jpg
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meh. Why does a super accurate inclusion of a 1/2 volt matter in this instance? You just want to know if there's a change.
Check at the battery, compare to connection on orange wire and remember the difference. The difference won't change...if it does, that's an indication of trouble too. (key switch, loose fuse,etc)
not to mention the relay itself uses power and drops system voltage (albeit slight), and adds complication.
not to mention (in the extreme) that the voltmeter itself drops voltage....relays are "baroque" where they're not needed.Last edited by Gorminrider; 09-22-2019, 06:07 PM.
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Originally posted by Gorminrider View Postmeh. Why does a super accurate inclusion of a 1/2 volt matter in this instance? You just want to know if there's a change.
Check at the battery, compare to connection on orange wire and remember the difference. The difference won't change...if it does, that's an indication of trouble too. (key switch, loose fuse,etc)
not to mention the relay itself uses power and drops system voltage (albeit slight), and adds complication.
not to mention (in the extreme) that the voltmeter itself drops voltage....relays are "baroque" where they're not needed.'84 GS750EF (Oct 2015 BOM) '79 GS1000N (June 2007 BOM) My Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/soates50/
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/35860327946_08fdd555ac_z.jpg
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if it reads low it could trigger a false negatiive by lighting the red LEDs
"Green LEDs represent the normal operating range of your charging system, 12.5V to 14.5V" (from https://www.denniskirk.com/kuryakyn/...prd/406777.sku)
fastbysuzuki's bike can hopefully muster 12.5v on the orange most of the time .
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From own experience and from what I've read here on the board, once you have your charging system system sorted out and a genuine SH775 regulator installed your charging system is pretty much bulletproof. Adding a gauge is really just a piece of eye candy at that point!1980 Yamaha XS1100G (Current bike)
1982 GS450txz (former bike)
LONG list of previous bikes not listed here.
I identify as a man but according to the label on a box of Stauffers Baked Lasagne I'm actually a family of four
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Originally posted by LAB3 View PostFrom own experience and from what I've read here on the board, once you have your charging system system sorted out and a genuine SH775 regulator installed your charging system is pretty much bulletproof. Adding a gauge is really just a piece of eye candy at that point!'84 GS750EF (Oct 2015 BOM) '79 GS1000N (June 2007 BOM) My Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/soates50/
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/35860327946_08fdd555ac_z.jpg
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Have been testing were to fit the Kuryakyn volt meter I did want to put it on the yoke but after Steve's comment about it being distracting I have to agree (although I don't do much riding in the dark never say never) so I have come to the conclusion that mounting it on the left hand handle bar switch seemed ok as it does not distract it does reflect a little on the chrome mirror stem but not to distract.
any comment / ldea's ?
its not fitted yet.
The big guy up there rides a Suzuki (this I know)
1981 gs850gx
1999 RF900
past bikes. RF900
TL1000s
Hayabusa
gsx 750f x2
197cc Francis Barnett
various British nails
Comment
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YOU are the only one that will be able to tell whethe it's right for YOU, but overall, that location is not bad.
Just try to mount it so you can change the angle if you find that it's too bright or not bright enough.
.sigpic
mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)
Comment
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Mount it so you can move it later. Things like this get constant attention when they are new but after awhile, the BIG thrill wears off and they get the odd glance when you know what "normal" is...it's "something to check", like other instrument gauges...and "unusual" readings that gives the instrument its value.
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I mounted mine here on a piece of Velcro and it stayed put for years. I don't ride much at night so never really noticed it being too bright. If it's too bright just detach and change the angle a bit. I'm sure you're aware but it does have a sensor to dim itself a bit. Another thing is that the back on mine was not attached very well nor was it very waterproof so i popped the back off, re-glued it and smeared a bit of clear silicone in the seam and where the wires come out.
'84 GS750EF (Oct 2015 BOM) '79 GS1000N (June 2007 BOM) My Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/soates50/
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/35860327946_08fdd555ac_z.jpg
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