Single LED voltmeter

[Craig Miller]

Hello all,
Does anyone have this voltmeter on your bike. My brother-in-law has one on his Gold Wing. He says it works great. Any input will be appreciated. TIA.

http://www.customdynamics.com/LED_battery_gauge.htm#LED_Battery_Gauge_with_Remote_Flush_Panel_Mount_LED

 

[forgitaboutut]

I have this one...half the price not as "flashy but works great!....
http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/4231/

 

[sirepair]

I have the single LED gauge on my 1100; came with it. I like it and it seems to work as advertised. Not sure what the PO paid for it, but $30 seems a bit STeep! But if you are looking for a "small footprint" solution, that would be your answer.

It did let me know when my ol 28amp alternator died; allowed me to get home OK.

Edit: I believe this is the one that I have: http://signaldynamics.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=56&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=77 About the same price.

 

[redst05]

I have the Signal Dynamics one.. Works great!

 

[v8-7]

I would probably forget what each color means.

 

[ST57]

I checked out some of the sites.....$40.49 !!! OMG!
Build your own for a few pennies. Use 4 resistors, 4 Zener’s, 4 LED's of different colors, and a 100uf cap to clean things up. There are multiple sites which contain circuit schematics. Really, it's ultra-simple and will take anyone 5 minutes to build.
PS... My 2c is to forget your local mall RS. Purchase your stuff from electronic warehouses. You’ll get enough parts for $3.00 to supply everyone in the neighborhood with a voltmeter.

 

[Raj_Zin]

There are several meters listed on the page the OP linked to. I believe he was referring to the Signal Dynamics single led priced at $28 (middle of the page)...

-STeve

 

[ST57]

Steve,
You are correct...($28)..my mistake.
If one has time you can get one for less $ from the UK. But is it worth it ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-LED-Battery-Monitor-voltage-and-charge-indicator-/150474037874?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2308f39a72
As always...you can build one for even less, however I realize that this may be difficult for many. I forget my 40 years of electronic experience.
All the Best

 

[T_C]

Use 4 resistors, 4 Zener’s, 4 LED's of different colors, and a 100uf cap to clean things up.

Or cut it down to a 3 step voltmeter display, (3 zener's, 3 resistors,, 1 cap) and use an RGB diode. Red for bad, yellow for caution, white for all is hunky dorey. Use a small 2k pot for a cheapie dimmer.

Adding in the flashing could be done with an 555 circuit, but KISS might prevent that.

T

 

[bdalameda]

I have this voltmeter - simple easy to judge voltage at a glance - small and simple to install.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/13/123/8115/ITEM/Kuryakyn-LED-Battery-Gauge.aspx

 

[Txrebel]

I checked out some of the sites.....$40.49 !!! OMG!
Build your own for a few pennies. Use 4 resistors, 4 Zener’s, 4 LED's of different colors, and a 100uf cap to clean things up. There are multiple sites which contain circuit schematics. Really, it's ultra-simple and will take anyone 5 minutes to build.
PS... My 2c is to forget your local mall RS. Purchase your stuff from electronic warehouses. You’ll get enough parts for $3.00 to supply everyone in the neighborhood with a voltmeter.

Links please... Thanks

 

[ALF-Software]

I use an LED that glows green at 14 volts, Orange at 12 - 14 volts & red below 12 volts. Mounted at the right mirror. Quick glance and I know I'm good.

 

[Jeff F]

I prefer a meter with a numerical readout rather than "idiot" lights.

Datel seems to be the standard but they're expensive. ($50!) Datel link

I found something similar at Wall Mart for about 1/2 the price.

 

[Craig Miller]

The voltmeter I ordered is from electricalconnections.com. Part number 04101. $35 with shipping. They are in Knoxville, TN. I will give a report after I receive and install the unit. Motorcycle Consumer News gave it a good review. I am not confident enough to build my own. Thanks for all the good feedback so far.

 

[T_C]

Being an engineer and a technical type of person I would prefer the digital read-out. Not an approximate or an idiot light. But once you really analyze what you are measuring you have to realize that.0.1 accuracy is not really necessary.

My analytical side hates to admit it ... but sometimes colored lights mean more then accurate numbers.

 

[mgilles0]

I had a Signal Dynamics one on my old Vstar. It was great, but too bright at night. I painted over most of it with dots of black paint to cut the glare.

 

[T_C]

I had a Signal Dynamics one on my old Vstar. It was great, but too bright at night. I painted over most of it with dots of black paint to cut the glare.

Well I don't have one to reverse engineer, but most low level lee's can be dimmed with a simple variable resistor. It's not optimal, but functional.

 

[st1300r]

Links please... Thanks

Just googel 12 volt led voltage indicator schematic battery monitor or some such buzz words.
Throw zener in there to find the type from the OP.

Also if you're an analog guy try, 12 volt expanded scale voltmeter schematic or circuit



http://electroschematics.com/5397/three-state-voltage-indicator/
http://electroschematics.com/5952/car-battery-monitor-12-volt/
http://www.reuk.co.uk/12-Volt-Battery-Low-Indicator-LM741.htm

 

[ST57]

Originally Posted by Txrebel
Links please... Thanks

http://electroschematics.com/5816/led-volt-meter/

The electroschematics site also has a lot of other neat little projects that may be of interest.

 

[ST57]

My previous post was for a multi LED readout. The Thread indicates "Single"
As T_C made note ... you can just take out one resistor, and zener ", and all the LED's and replace it with "one" RGB as an option.