Dash Light configuration questions

[Et1sw47]

Hey Gang,

I am in the process of doing... a lot... of upgrades and modifications to my Voyager XII. One of these mods is the signal Dynamics Battery Monitor. I use a dry cell battery which of course causes the battery light to be on.

My questions are 1) Do you think I could modify the bulb socket to insert the battery monitor led? 2) It appears that the battery light indicator lens is colored red, is that a sticker or colored plastic? 3) If it is colored plastic, do you think I would still be able to distinguish between the green, yellow and red indications of the monitor led? 4) Should I just go the easy route and disable the battery light and mount the monitor indicator outside the dash?

One of the other mods I am doing is installing a Signal Dynamics Headlight Modulator so I have the front fairing off. I am not that far from going ahead and removing the dash but, not sure if it would be worth the effort... Suggestions anyone??

Thanks

[Lucasind]

Battery Sensor
From the AVA Archives

It seems as though quite a few times the question has been raised on how to disable the battery sensor on the VII so the battery light stays out. Some basic observations for the unknowing should first be considered:

The battery lights purpose is to indicate that the battery electrolyte or water level is low in the battery. This is handy so you don't need to check the level so many times during the riding season since it's not the quickest thing to do.

The battery light has nothing to do with the quality or life left of the battery, other than letting you know the water level is low. If the water level in a battery is left low, it will cause sulfation in the battery cells and lead to pre-mature battery failure.

Most manufacturers make at least two versions of a battery that will work for the Voyagers, one with, and one without the battery sensor. Some of the newest batteries such as the gel batteries, or a maintenance free battery, prevents you from adding water by design. If you would like the convenience of the battery sensor and want to use the standard non-maintenance free batteries, then buy the ones with a sensor. If you get a maintenance free battery, then you don't need to worry about that option and will probably just pay a higher price for the battery.

So after you decide which battery you would like to use, and have decided on a gel, maintenance free, or simply one without a sensor hookup, then you probably will want to disable the sensor by simply connecting the sensor lead to a +12 volt source. This can be done by either using one of the spare leads under the fairing, or simply connecting it to the +12 volt terminal of your battery. Others have suggested to hook a 100 ohm resistor in line with the original wire going to the battery and terminate it at the positive battery terminal.

[Lucasind]

https://amervoyassoc.org/forum/viewtopi ... ire#p70932" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Et1sw47]

Thanks Fellas but, I already knew about the current battery light being on, why, and how to get it to stay off. I appreciate the links though!

My questions pertain more to folks who have actually had the dashboard apart and has messed with the light indicators.

This is the device I am looking to install. http://www.signaldynamics.com/heads-up-voltage-monitor/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I would like for it to light up "IN" the battery indicator in the dashboard.

[Lucasind]

Now I understand what your trying to do, If it were mine...i would disable the battery light as directed in the link provided above, and mount your aftermarket light somewhere else of your choosing.

I put a voltmeter in the L.H side, a couple of years back..A couple of ideas of placement from past posts.

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viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[krasmu]

I was just inside my dask to do an LED upgrade and I can't say for sure but I do believe that the lenses on the indicator lights are of different colored plastics. I didn't really look that hard at it but they do appear to not be painted because they have kind of a crystal cut to the lenses.

[Et1sw47]

Now we're talking!

Thanks Fellas, I just thought it would be cool to make a non functional battery light functional but, it does sound like I may not be able to get past the red lens... possibly drilling some tiny holes in the lens....... Nah..... Most likely I will disable and mount the indicator else where.

Thanks for the input!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Hey Tim,
I would say if you have time give it a try!
I'm told that LED's of white will show as white even when covered by a red lens. Likewise amber will show amber through a red lens (which allows some to convert the marker lights on the saddle bags from solid red to red with amber flash for additional stop/turn signals. So with that train of thought, the amber and green colors may show through enough to be discernible.
Give it a shot and let us know!

[krasmu]

I have to agree with Scott. It is worth a try. White behind a red lense may come out on the pink side but they should be plenty bright and definately show different colors.

[Et1sw47]

Thanks for the info fellas! I would say there is a good chance of me giving it a try.. now if I do, you have me thinking of putting LEDs in all the rest...

Suggestions on what LEDs work best to replace the dash lights?

[Tonyvdb]

Suggestions on what LEDs work best to replace the dash lights?

These are the ones I used here: https://amervoyassoc.org/forum/viewtopi ... =15&t=8710" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[krasmu]

read all the way through Tony's post. it will give you several ideas.

[Et1sw47]

Well, I was able to incrementally drill (small to larger bits) a hole through the center of the rubber boot that holds the bulb and install the Battery Monitor LED....

But, unfortunately in the process of trying to push the plug back in I broke my trip reset shaft...

Now, I am wondering if anyone may have a spare trip shaft from a bad dash and also can the dash plate be removed from the housing? I tried, and I thought I removed all the screws. Everything seemed to come loose but the speedometer itself seemed to be held up by something...??

I will post some pics when I get time.

Oh, when I broke the trip reset shaft, I began to rethink what I was doing and added some dielectric grease to the rubber boot and of course it popped right in... so good in fact I lubed the rest in case I do convert to LED. In regards to that, do they make an LED to fit that can be dimmed?

[voyager55]

IMO a waste of time. And a pain. There's Nothing wrong with the stock dash lights.

[krasmu]

Be very carefull of what you take apart in the dash. I just went through this and it was a mess. It started because my reset assembly was missing. I ordered one from Carl Leo. Not knowing how to disassemble the dash, I took the front panel off. In order to do this I had to pull the needles on all 4 guages in the cluster. that is when things went wrong. You will never be able to get them back to where they belong. "ask me how I know this". I called Carl Leo and he told there is a way to open the case from the rear and leave the front face and needles alone. My suggestion is before you go to far as I did, give him a call and let him explain in detail. I did get my dash back together somewhat close but they are off some on each one except the speedo becauce that one is on a "D" shaft, the rest are not.

[Et1sw47]

Well despite my carelessness with the trip shaft, I almost went there ( trying to remove needles) and then thought better of it.

Carl Leo is the guy to contact then!

Thanks so much!