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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through November 02, 2013 » Voltage Monitor « Previous Next »

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Mark_weiss
Posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 11:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've long wanted to add a voltage monitor to my '08 but could not find a satisfactory solution. There is no room to integrate a gauge and I did not like the way that available LED monitors worked. To my way of thinking, a warning should only illuminate when something is wrong. All of the LED style monitors would show green under normal operating conditions. I wanted something that would only light up when a problem existed.

A new monitor from Gammatronix met my need. While this unit is a bit larger than I would have liked (10mm dia), it has several program settings. In its "Stealth" mode, the LED does not light up in typical "green" mode. Just what I wanted. The operating mode is chosen using the tiny pushbutton switch on the backside of the monitor.


backside with button



panel view
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Teeps
Posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 01:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good find Mark, thanks!

I just ordered the 5mm model. <$20 US delivered!
I like the ultra compact design, compared to the Signal Dynamics Heads Up LED, currently installed on my Ulysses.
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Xbimmer
Posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 01:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I like being able to see how various loads affect the charging system with the multi lights on my Kuryakyn, but I like the choices from that company better. When/if my Kuryakyn dies I'll check into one of those. http://gammatronix.com/
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7873jake
Posted on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 09:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have seven bikes with the Gammatronix LEDs on them and have nothing but good things to say about them. I have the sealed units as well as the bezel'd units like the one shown. No issues with either.
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Uly_man
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 03:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I use this version which I just strapped to the handle bars as I did not want to drill any holes. 100% waterproof, easy to see in daylight but not over bright at night for normal engine running functions. Battery volts are shown with engine off with a flashing green light if good, or a flashing red light if bad, so looks like an alarm system light as well. All are good quality products and well worth the money.





It is just my opinion but any one of these versions is the best 20 or 30 bucks you can spend on these bikes.

(Message edited by uly_man on September 28, 2013)
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Ourdee
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 09:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)



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Rdkingryder
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 11:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Fat Bastard to the white courtesy phone.
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 06:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

oooh! where did you get that sweet little analog meter?
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Ourdee
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 09:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oh, the shame..... Harbor Freight used to sell it. It told me what I really needed to know when my VR was going out. Button changes the light color.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2013 - 09:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I also like more of a "gauge" setup, showing load changes and giving me the ability to watch patterns in readings. I use the Kuryakyn meter on all my bikes, and swear by them.

The nice thing about having a progressive type display over more of an "idiot light" setup is, I can see things as they start to deteriorate, and adjust things as needed (shed loads to get home, re-route to get home if needed, pull over to make a couple checks on connections, etc). The "idiot light" setup only tells you when it's already too late...and I don't like that.

If I'm 50 miles from home, I'd rather have a gauge/progressive readout. Watching it go from "real good" to "still good but not AS good" makes me feel better than watching a light come on and say "too late, you have a problem".
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Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2013 - 09:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

And to the OP - I hope you did NOT tap it into your aux outlet circuit. If you did...you will never see it light. Your 08 ECM turns that outlet off when the voltage drops below a preset threshold, and that circuit will never show "low voltage" to the monitor you have. It will simply turn itself off before a warning can be shown.
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Verdad
Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2013 - 10:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ratbuell -

That's good-to-know information. I'm getting ready to install a VM and was wondering where *not* to tie into. Thanks very much.
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Griffmeister
Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2013 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rat, the thing about a gauge is you need something with a telltale on it like a Murphy gauge. Sometimes those headlight blowing spikes last only a split second which the gauge might not even register. Also, a needle sweep or digital readout can be tough to pick up in your peripheral vision when that brief occurrence happens. Now if you use a gauge AND an idiot light, that would be sweet.
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Mark_weiss
Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 - 03:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

And to the OP - I hope you did NOT tap it into your aux outlet circuit.




I'd thought of that and did not know at what level the aux circuit is shut off. I went with the turn signal power. The socket for the relay is readily accessed and is hot whenever the bike is running.

I chose to go with a mutli color LED over a gauge for two reasons. One was that the LED requires a tiny fraction of the space needed for a gauge installation. The second reason is that with the instrument panel so far below my line of sight, there would be nothing about a gauge that would catch my attention unless I was looking down. The LED is just noticeable in the periphery and when there is a change it catches my attention. On this particular Gammatronix unit, in addition to being able to have the lamp be "dark" for normal voltage, it's three colors (green, yellow, red, and multiple blink modes, it is able to signal pretty reasonable voltage changes without requiring constant monitoring.
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Krabykarl
Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 - 05:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Does anyone know at what voltage the ECM cuts off the aux circuit? I rather like my cheapie Hong Kong digital cigarette lighter plug voltmeter. Yes, I question it's accuracy and it jiggles out every once in a while. I like knowing it drops .3v when I turn on the heated hand grips.
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Bluex
Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 - 07:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


Cheepie from Wallmart- pretty accurate comparing to expensive VOM

Cheepie from Wallmart- pretty accurate comparing to expensive VOM

(Message edited by bluex on September 30, 2013)
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Ourdee
Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 - 07:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The red glow at the top is the led voltage indicator. I used the analog so that I knew when it was safe to switch to the high beam and not loose it too. The spikes short and sometimes long were the indication that the VR was going out.
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Froggy
Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 - 07:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

And to the OP - I hope you did NOT tap it into your aux outlet circuit. If you did...you will never see it light. Your 08 ECM turns that outlet off when the voltage drops below a preset threshold, and that circuit will never show "low voltage" to the monitor you have. It will simply turn itself off before a warning can be shown.




Not entirely true, I don't know the cutoff voltage off hand, but it is low enough that you will get plenty of warning and flashing red lights before it shuts down.
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Froggy
Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 - 07:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just checked, the outlet will switch off if the battery voltage drops below 11.9v for more than 2 seconds. Given normal operating voltage is aprox 14.2v, if it is slowly dropping you will have plenty of warning.

Here is the voltage readout from the Signal Dynamics voltmeter that is popular on here:

flashing green: above 15.2v (over-voltage is bad)
steady green: 12.9 – 15.1v
steady amber: 12.7 – 12.8v
steady red: 12.1 – 12.6v
flashing red: below 12v

You will have a steady red or flashing red before the outlet ultimately shuts down, so if it does shut off you really have bigger things to worry about now.
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Verdad
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 11:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Regardless of the type of monitor, what types of splices are y'all using to tap into the wiring? The only thing I'm seeing are the bulky type you get at the auto parts store and Wal-Mart. Is there anything out there that is a little less "rotund?"
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Dtaylor
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Verdad -- I've had nothing but excellent experience with Posi-Locks for splicing, tapping, etc.

http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html

They can be difficult to source locally, but they can be found online.

I am fortunate that a local bike shop carries them, but I have ordered them from Jim at Eastern Beaver, as well:

http://easternbeaver.com/Main/main.html
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Uly_man
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 12:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"what types of splices are y'all using to tap into the wiring?"

Just my opinion but the easy and best way is to peel a small section of insulation off the Aux Earth wrap the monitor Earth to it IE A tee section, solder and re-insulate. Then run the power line direct to the battery. Use multi core heat proof cable, cover in heat shrink tubing and fit a fuse near the battery for safety. Works fine on the 10 bike even if the bike is not running.

Over charging on none FI bikes will blow lamps, boil the battery and stuff. On a FI bike a voltage monitor will show the over charge before it can damage the ECM etc. And of course a under charge, bad battery, etc.
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Teeps
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 01:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Verdad Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013
what types of splices are y'all using to tap into the wiring?


I used a crimp splice similar to this: http://raychem.te.com/documents/webservice/fetch.a shx?fileid=8460&docId=927
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Verdad
Posted on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks very much for the suggestions. Those look *much* cleaner than my Wally World splices.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 02:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here is another fantastic option...

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partn umber=360-642

Works amazingly well with cheap-o off the shelf crimp connectors.
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