What should my voltage be reading while running?

[Mr.Brownstone]

I installed a voltmeter today. When running without any farkles on it shows in the 14's, when all the stuff is on it dips to low 13's. Where should it be?

[tinfish81]

Can I get accurate readings on the Datel meter I'm about to install if I tap in somewhere under the fairing or do I need to wire directly to the battery?

THANKS

[nm6r]

Run a dedicated set of wires to remove all doubt on your readings under any circumstance.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[wjbertrand]

I installed a voltmeter today. When running without any farkles on it shows in the 14's, when all the stuff is on it dips to low 13's. Where should it be?


Where is it connected? You will get a different voltage depending on which circuit you tie it into. The best bet would be to connect directly to the battery. One you will be able to see actual battery charge and secondly the battery is a nice big buffer/capacitor allowing for more stable readings. Hooking into some other subcircuit is still useful for catching a problem though. In such a case you just have to learn what normal behavior is and be alert for any changes in that. Again, you won't be reading actual battery condition though.

[tinfish81]

Was planning to connect to an unused circuit in the Quartet Harness but I think I'll take nm6r's advice and go directly to the battery. I'll put a small toggle switch somewhere so I can turn off the display when the bike sits for long periods. (Naaaa...this is California! The bike never sits for very long! :D )

[wjbertrand]

Was planning to connect to an unused circuit in the Quartet Harness but I think I'll take nm6r's advice and go directly to the battery. I'll put a small toggle switch somewhere so I can turn off the display when the bike sits for long periods. (Naaaa...this is California! The bike never sits for very long! :D )

You can skip the toggle switch by wiring in a miniature relay. On my ST1100, I had the Datel meter wired directly to the battery and then used a small Rat-Shack relay connected to an ignition switched circuit to turn the meter off when the key went off. This way I was able to monitor the battery via a direct connection without worrying about the meter staying on all the time. I didn't do it but one could easily wire in a mometary contact switch somewhere to by-pass the relay allowing and "everything off" battery voltage check. Here's some shots of the intallation on my ST:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/46527794/62076666mIIWYm

http://community.webshots.com/photo/62085869/62085869SDUOOU

[tinfish81]

Jeff & Leo...excellent ideas! ...Thanks so much for your advice / suggestions.

[Schavlan]

I tapped off the light to the speedometer.
I get the same readings as posted here. Running at low idle <13.2
Running at high idle, 13.5.
I bought the Analog Honda Marine meter, relocated the headlight adjusting knob and put the meter in where the knob used to be.
Looks like OEM, and to be functional, the readings need to be repeatable, not necessarily precise. I'm OK with this setup, I think it wil work well.

[videolester]

I tapped into the temp gauge light. Getting a steady & regulated 13.9 volts at high idle and at speed.