I was inspired and motivated by Lucasind's recent write up of his install of a digital volt meter. I found one at Amazon.com for about $12.
For my rig I opted to get a Radio Shack 3x2x1 plastic enclosure box to use to house the meter.
First I laid out a white paper sticky label the size of the cutout and using my Dremel cutoff wheel and a razor knife made the necessary opening in the cover of the box. I also removed the four 1/4" standoffs inside the box as they interfered with the meter.
I then put a bead of clear sealant on the back side of the meter frame and snapped it in place. This should serve to waterproof the assembly.
On the bike I made up a metal bracket from some scrap 3/4" aluminum I had from Home Depot and attached it to the bike using a longer 5mm screw under the right side of the dash panel. I colored the piece black ans used some Outdoor Velcro to hold the meter to it.
The red wire from the meter goes to the relay input wire (circuit is on with ignition) that I used for my horn install. The black uses a ring crimp connector and goes directly to the battery. It works like a charm by the way and clearly shows the alternator is working as the engine rpms climb.
I have one more project for this bike in mind involving a 12V power port that I think I will mount under the unused left side cover where a CB would have mounted. When I get around to that one I will post another pictorial.
Now I just need the rainy thunderstorms to go away for a while so I can get back on the road and rack up more miles.
MY volt meter installation
Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider
- chicagorandy
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- Lucasind
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1988 Voyager 1200
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1965 S 65
and a bunch of parts ! - Location: Toledo, OH
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Re: MY volt meter installation
....VERY nice ! One more thing I'm going to add to mine ......Someone here
suggested ,trimming down a lense from sunglasses or something tinted, to cut down the sun glare. Mine works great also, great addition to the voyager ! Weather has been bad here too, but not as bad as the Akron area that had some tornado activity and damage.
suggested ,trimming down a lense from sunglasses or something tinted, to cut down the sun glare. Mine works great also, great addition to the voyager ! Weather has been bad here too, but not as bad as the Akron area that had some tornado activity and damage.
90% OF ANY JOB ...IS GETTING STARTED !
- mountainman
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Re: MY volt meter installation
Awesome job!
2012 Honda Goldwing GL1800 L2
1996 Kawasaki Voyager XII (sold)
1986 Kawasaki Voyager XII (sold)
1983 Honda Silverwing GL650 I (sold)
1982 Suzuki GS750TZ (sold)
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 (sold)
1974 Kawasaki KZ400 (sold)
1996 Kawasaki Voyager XII (sold)
1986 Kawasaki Voyager XII (sold)
1983 Honda Silverwing GL650 I (sold)
1982 Suzuki GS750TZ (sold)
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 (sold)
1974 Kawasaki KZ400 (sold)
- chicagorandy
- Traveler
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Re: MY volt meter installation
In daylight (cloudy day today) it was a bit hard for me to read the display so I may be fabbing up a hood of some sort to shade the meter face. Under a viaduct it reads clear as can be and of course at night that blue just shines..
- richardb, austin
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Re: MY volt meter installation
I really like that twisted Al bracket. Good idea.
richardb, austin
__________________
"If you understand what you're doing, you're not learning anything." -- Abraham Lincoln (probably spoken to a DIY Voyager mechanic)
__________________
"If you understand what you're doing, you're not learning anything." -- Abraham Lincoln (probably spoken to a DIY Voyager mechanic)
- chicagorandy
- Traveler
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- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 2:40 pm
- 10
- Current bike(s): 86 Voyager XII
- Location: Chicago, IL
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Re: MY volt meter installation
Thanks, it started life as a piece of aluminum bar stock from my local Home Depot. MUCH easier to cut/bend than steel.