Voltmeter on an IS

[Dark]

I'm trying to figure out where I can put a voltmeter on my new to me IS & have it look like it kinda  belongs.
I'd like to have one so that I can see that the alternator is charging OK & get an idea of the general battery health when I turn the ignition on.
I've seen some "mini" waterproof LED voltmeter's on ebay & wonder if any one has used something like that & where it was installed
like this

or this

[wingrider02]

Seems pretty tough to get more gauges on an IS, and make them look like they were there from the start.  The fairing doesn't really have any flat spots on it to mount a flush face gauge, and if you hang some gauge cups on the handlebars, you have potential to block the view of other gauges.

Kuryakyn has a volt meter, really just a bunch of warning lights, but that can be put on without much hassle, and is small enough to hide in an inconspicuous spot.  From what I have heard, the lights are rather bright.  I didn't get a chance to mount mine before I relocated my bike to TN.  Just one more thing I have to do to it someday.

[Firefighter]

I have seen guys mount gauges on the back of the pods, or on the handle bars . I have three pod style gauges mounted on top of the faring just behind the wind shield. Made a bracket to mount them to and used the air vent for mounting and wires, no holes drilled. I also included two lights in this bracket to let me know if the cooling fan runs. I like to know whats going on when I am in the middle of nowhere. Always wanted to make a gauge pod to fit the top of the fairing but never tried yet. Good luck! Firefighter

[Gryphon Rider]

Kuryakyn has a volt meter, really just a bunch of warning lights, but that can be put on without much hassle, and is small enough to hide in an inconspicuous spot.  From what I have heard, the lights are rather bright.

The brightness of mine hasn't been a problem.  It has a photocell that signals it to be dimmer when the ambient light drops below a certain level.

[3W-lonerider]

I mounted a small rectangular volt meter on the fairing where the holder is for the intercom cord. and just ziptied the intercom cord to the handle bar. the volt meter looks like it came there from the factory. I just cut a hole big enough for it to slide right in.
if ya want pics I can take a couple tonight and post them when I get home. probably around 8 pm.







these pics are exactly how I see it when I'm sitting on the bike.

[wingrider02]

Kuryakyn has a volt meter, really just a bunch of warning lights, but that can be put on without much hassle, and is small enough to hide in an inconspicuous spot.  From what I have heard, the lights are rather bright.

The brightness of mine hasn't been a problem.  It has a photocell that signals it to be dimmer when the ambient light drops below a certain level.

Good to know!  I may mount mine in a little better spot than originally thought.

[Dave S. UK]

E-Bay 271300174947
 
Purchased this one of e-bay and mounted on top  the LCD display been there for over 12 months with no issue's and looks like part of the dash ....

[Dark]

I mounted a small rectangular volt meter on the fairing where the holder is for the intercom cord. and just ziptied the intercom cord to the handle bar. the volt meter looks like it came there from the factory. I just cut a hole big enough for it to slide right in.
if ya want pics I can take a couple tonight and post them when I get home. probably around 8 pm.

Yes, please post pic's.

[BF]

E-Bay 271300174947
 
Purchased this one of e-bay and mounted on top  the LCD display been there for over 12 months with no issue's and looks like part of the dash ....

Cool lookin' digital meter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271300174947?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D271300174947%26_rdc%3D1

[Dark]

E-Bay 271300174947
 
Purchased this one of e-bay and mounted on top  the LCD display been there for over 12 months with no issue's and looks like part of the dash ....

I like the look of that one Dave. Would you mind posting a pic of it installed above the LCD?

[dragonslayer]

I looked at the listing and it says no shipping to United States, how do we get one then?

[BonS]

I looked at the listing and it says no shipping to United States, how do we get one then?

Try this one (same thing):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-led-DC-Volt-Meter-Over-voltage-Low-voltage-Alarm-12V-car-Battery-Lighter-/191168660258?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item2c828a4322

[TJ]

This is mine...

[ShiftHappens]

I went with a voltmeter that plugs into cigarette lighter type power plug. I normally use the plug for my GPS, but occasionally plug in the voltmeter for a reading. I can also use it to check my cars.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Monitor-Car-Volt-Voltmeter-LCD-Cigarette-Lighter-Voltage-Panel-Meter-B1-/350800437030?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51ad55df26

I also use that cigarette plug to connect my charger.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-081-0069-8-Cigarette-Disconnect/dp/B0041CDPQO/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1414805144&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-Deltran-Cigarette-081-0069-5/dp/B003CJ927I/ref=sr_1_17?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1414805144&sr=1-17

[PAVALKER]

I have the second picture mounted on my IS, it is a green LED and will go with the Greed LED light pods, and switched to the LEDs or to the Keyed power, not always on.....have yet to decide which way I want it wired.    I cut out a square on the right speaker panel near the top...where the flat spot is.  It is well within the line of sight as I am looking ahead...and the digital readout is accurate and readily visible.

The ones down on the POD panel are nice, but I don't always have my head looking down.  I have a temp dip stick as well....and rarely look down to check it out, especially when driving.  Only when I am stopped will I think to glance at it. 

[Dave S. UK]

little out of focus 

[Dave S. UK]

This is a better one..

   

[Oss]

That is very nice

Back when Normand's friend Bill Polack was with the club he put his cigarette lighter here

But that round meter about 8 posts up could work there too

here is a pic

[valkyriemc]

This is a better one..

   

E gauge looks good. Is it covering the grill that ducts air on the inside of the windshield??

[Dark]

This is a better one..

   

That looks good, I am going to order one this week, thinking of getting the yellow or green display.
That will leave me the area by the speaker for a powerlet or dual usb port for charging

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I have one on my dash just one LED  red when low, yellow  when charging lightly and green when charging fully. Two wire hook up and easy. I'll see if I can find the maf. and post later.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

This is it. Been on bike about 3 yrs.  Trust http://www.signaldynamics.com/heads-up-voltage-monitor/

[BonS]

I received and installed the slick little voltmeter that Dave S. UK posted about earlier in this thread. Here are a few pics and advice on that installation. I haven't ridden with it yet so I don't know about sunlight visibility. I feel sure that it'll wash out from time to time.

I chose the same mounting location as Dave S. UK


This is the route that I found for the wire. No drilling required so the installation is completely reversible. I like that.


I didn't use the supplied double sided tape because I thought it was too thick. I have a roll of thin tape that I bought from SuperbrightLEDs.com for another project and used three strips for a secure mount.


This is the overlap onto the vents after mounting. Not bad at all.


This is the view from the front of the bike.

[R J]

This is mine...

Mine is like TJ's, except it is from Dakota.   I got it with the blue lighting.

It was one item I salvaged out of my 39 Chev Coupe that was in my garage fire.



If you high-lite over the right most guage, that is the one I have.

The whole guage was what I had in the dash of the 39.    Yeah yeah, I know it was for a Harley but it worked.       Damn, do ya suppose that being I had that whole unit in my 39 Chev, that is the reason my garage burned.

Naw, I don't think so, but that squirrel got cremated pretty good.    He bit into the 1/2 of a 220 power source.      Guess he was hungry for some plastic wire wrapping.      LOL.

I found an old cigar box, and we buried his ashes in the middle of the garage floor when we poured it.     Guess you could say he is entombed.

[BonS]

Overnight I learned one thing: I need a new battery. It takes a charge and the charger says complete. But after removing the charger and switching on the ignition the battery voltage rapidly drops from 12.8 to around 11 volts. I'm feeling like the voltmeter has already paid for itself and disclosed exactly what I was expecting it would - before leaving me stranded.

[wingrider02]

BonS, did you hard wire that, or did you use the cig adapter?  Looks pretty good!

[BonS]

I cut off the cig adapter and hard wired it. The cut off end sure made it easy to thread it through the available slot into the fairing. It's a simple red & black wire inside the sheath. Red is the positive lead as usual.

[Dark]

Looks good BonS. I have one sitting here & am going to install as part of a larger fairing electrical project. I'm also putting in a 2 slot usb outlet & a single powerlet

Did you install a relay or wire to an existing one?

[BonS]

I have previously routed the OEM 5-amp switched-power up to my faring for electronic cruise control so I simply piggybacked onto that wire and frame ground. I'm sure you could find switched power within the fairing if all you want to do is monitor system voltage. That said, you may see some voltage fluctuation when that particular circuit is drawing current.

By the way, you'll see some small holes on the back of my voltmeter that are for the alert beepers. I covered these up with some black electrical tape to keep water out. The beepers are still audible. It would have been nice if the LED display would blink for alert as well because it may not be possible to hear the beeper when riding.

Will your USB outlets have weather caps on them? I'd like to see that when you get some pictures.

[Dark]

Will your USB outlets have weather caps on them? I'd like to see that when you get some pictures.

Yes, they will have weather caps. As soon as I get it done I'll put some pictures up. Hopefully over the Holidays when work slows up & kids are home from school and their activities slow down. That's my plan anyways

[Joe Hummer]

I have previously routed the OEM 5-amp switched-power up to my faring for electronic cruise control so I simply piggybacked onto that wire and frame ground. I'm sure you could find switched power within the fairing if all you want to do is monitor system voltage. That said, you may see some voltage fluctuation when that particular circuit is drawing current.

By the way, you'll see some small holes on the back of my voltmeter that are for the alert beepers. I covered these up with some black electrical tape to keep water out. The beepers are still audible. It would have been nice if the LED display would blink for alert as well because it may not be possible to hear the beeper when riding.

Will your USB outlets have weather caps on them? I'd like to see that when you get some pictures.

Hey BonS,

Have you have a chance to ride the bike at night yet with the voltmeter installed?  I was wondering how much glare you get from it...either light in your face or glare on the shield.

Thanks,

Joe

[BonS]

Not yet Joe. I should receive my new battery today when the brown truck gets here. I'll be sure to update this thread later this week - weather permitting.

[fordmano]

This was the one I went with.


I removed the stock fog light switch


and relocated the fog light switch to here


And that left my volt meter looking like this when mounted in the original fog light switch location.


Fairly easy to see and definitely out of the way to never cause any glare or distraction.

[fordmano]

I really like the look of this one, I would like to see it in person before I buy one though. Also I would have to find something to cover the enlarged hole I made for the mounting mine in the fog light switch location...

This is a better one..

Although I really like the looks of this one, but I wish it was a little thinner but that's just a wish not a deal killer at all.


   

That looks good, I am going to order one this week, thinking of getting the yellow or green display.
That will leave me the area by the speaker for a powerlet or dual usb port for charging

[BonS]

I have previously routed the OEM 5-amp switched-power up to my faring for electronic cruise control so I simply piggybacked onto that wire and frame ground. I'm sure you could find switched power within the fairing if all you want to do is monitor system voltage. That said, you may see some voltage fluctuation when that particular circuit is drawing current.

By the way, you'll see some small holes on the back of my voltmeter that are for the alert beepers. I covered these up with some black electrical tape to keep water out. The beepers are still audible. It would have been nice if the LED display would blink for alert as well because it may not be possible to hear the beeper when riding.

Will your USB outlets have weather caps on them? I'd like to see that when you get some pictures.

Hey BonS,

Have you have a chance to ride the bike at night yet with the voltmeter installed?  I was wondering how much glare you get from it...either light in your face or glare on the shield.

Thanks,

Joe

I finally got to ride this weekend in both the daytime and night. The led display is just bright enough for daylight and only washes out in direct sunlight from behind. I can usually just move my head to cast a shadow on it if I want to see it. It's also not too bright at all at night. Just right I'd say. I'd probably get the yellow display instead of the blue. I'm conditioned to blue meaning my brights are on, red is oil pressure, green is neutral, and that leaves yellow as the color of choice for the voltmeter and it will probably look good with the I/S yellowish gauges and lcd display.

[Dark]

Will your USB outlets have weather caps on them? I'd like to see that when you get some pictures.

Yes, they will have weather caps. As soon as I get it done I'll put some pictures up. Hopefully over the Holidays when work slows up & kids are home from school and their activities slow down. That's my plan anyways

finally got around to getting this done on Saturday
put in a relay & 4 post fuse box inside the fairing on the left side
voltmeter in place, wire through vent
hard wired the zumo 550
put in a dual usb port outlet
put in a single powerlet outlet

bad phone pix