Volt meter?

[us385south]

I have a 1998 standard dressed as a tourer.  I am looking to add a somewhat discreet volt meter.  I am not sold on any particular brand or model... I just feel like I need one.

Any suggestions or type, brand or how and where to mount it would help me decide.

Also... as a by the way issue.  I note that the alternator number for the Valk's is the same as the Goldwing models... is anyone out there running a compufire Alt... would one fit?

T

[RainMaker]

I have the Kuryakyn voltmeter on my I/S (on the right pod) and it worked pretty well for 7 years, but now it seems to be flaky.  I can press the cover down on it and it shows green but if I leave it alone for a few weeks it shows I am not generating enough power. That's after 8 years so maybe it's just worn out (my bench voltmeter says the alternator is working fine, by the way).

But for 7 years, it worked well.

[us385south]

I have the Kuryakyn voltmeter on my I/S...
But for 7 years, it worked well.

Noted: Thanks RM.

I have this exact same meter on my wing and have been marginally happy with it.  The thing is... it's the only meter I have even had on a bike so it's like trying to compare "something" to "nothing."  I have been looking at this lil' doo-dah... anyone have one of these?

[RainMaker]

I've read reviews on that one and some have indicated it's not waterproof.

[Chrisj CMA]

This one is waterproof, its a marine guage from the Overtons Catalog.  I had to make the mini dash to mount it on but its very easy to read day and night but not that discreet

[us385south]

This one is waterproof, its a marine guage from the Overtons Catalog.  I had ot make the mini dash to mount it on but its very easy to read day and night but not that dicreet

I have heard the same, but I have also heard from a trusted vendor that given reasonable shelter the compliant rate of these units is very small.  See more here: http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/129/342

I dunno!  I like your install!  I have some 1/8 aluminum plate that would probably work real nice... I could engine mill the finish

[salty1]

Just bought one of these myself, like its size and the multifunctionality of it. Plan on velcroing it to the high side of the top brigbe at the top of the forks that is in view from the saddle. It's not as if I need to look at it very often.    

[RainMaker]

This one is waterproof, its a marine guage from the Overtons Catalog.  I had ot make the mini dash to mount it on but its very easy to read day and night but not that discreet

I've been looking at the marine analog voltmeters for a few weeks as a replacement for the Kuryakyn.  That's a good looking meter and installation!  Mine would just go into the pod.

[Chrisj CMA]

Rainmaker...if you have trouble finding this let me know (pm maybe) and ill search it and send you the right page of the catalog.

[Wabbit]

(...) I have been looking at this lil' doo-dah... anyone have one of these? (...)

(picture omitted)

I put one on my wife's VN750 when we did the inevitable stator and regulator replacement.  Overall, *very* happy with it.  As others have noted, it isn't waterproof, but it seems to survive getting wet just fine.  In any event, it disassembles easily (remove a few small screws from the back side) and you can blow it out with compressed air.  Have had water collect inside the unit to the point of the window resembling my aquarium: no damage to either the unit or the bike's electrical system.  The indoor/outdoor temperature functionality is useful: "indoor" is wherever you mount the gauge, and "outdoor" is wherever you mount the wired remote sensor.  Probably saved our bakin' bacon on the ride to Colorado Springs last year...  Interesting aside: the temperature gauge includes a freeze alert, which is probably useful for the hardcore winter (or high altitude) rider. The voltmeter includes a roughly calibrated series of three LEDs (red, yellow, green) that come on at "low", "marginal", and "ok" voltage levels for some definition of those terms: mostly useful for a quick visual of how well your charging system is keeping up with the electrical load.

As another commenter did, we attached the unit with velcro strips to a nice, flat space between the handlebars.  You probably want the mount to be easily detachable if you care about being able to set the clock when power is removed and subsequently restored.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I have one of these mounted in my I/S fairing. Works great and priced right. Waterproof to boot.http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=4354&str=2

[us385south]

I am getting good pookie here... thanks guys, I really appreciate the input.

I love the retro classic analog aspect of that dial mount.  I could "do up" a very nice installation of that arrangement.  (Of course, it would take me a week.) While at the same time... I also appreciate the functionality, versatility and value of just velcro-ing something workable on for the time being. 

I am not married to this bike!

I have to figure sooner or later I'll sell it... so keeping things simple and reversible is good plan for me.

But then again, the installation from Chrisj looks awfully danged good...

Hmmmm...  I hate these sorts of choices.

Any other options out there?

[BnB Tom]

I have one of these mounted in my I/S fairing. Works great and priced right. Waterproof to boot.http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=4354&str=2

This is the same one I have. 
Easy to install (if I can do it you KNOW its easy).
Small enough to put most anywhere.
   AND....  the company stands behind their product.  After 2-3 years I had a problem (turns out I had bent the leads on the diode too far).  Sent them an Email wondering what to do and HOLY CRAP - -  they sent me a new one!  No questions asked. 

How good is that!

[salty1]

Mr. Bubbles great find, never seen this before. Absolute simplicity! 

[Rocketman]

This one is waterproof, its a marine guage from the Overtons Catalog.  I had to make the mini dash to mount it on but its very easy to read day and night but not that discreet

I have one that looks pretty much just like that, only with a black background instead of white.  I got it from O'Reilly, and put it in the Interstate pod.  Looks like it belongs.

Mark