Rockster Voltmeter install solution

[DatOrg7590]

Having been concerned with battery issues lately, with no way to monitor it, I decided to install a voltmeter...This is it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ik_8jo8Gfk

It's a VDO gauge off the internet (about $26.00)
I got a standard 2 1/6 aluminum gauge mount off ebay for about $12.00. It comes with a 90 deg bend to mount, so I smashed it good with a rubber mallet. I then cut the excess holes off with a hacksaw, and drilled a hole to marry up with the screw that attaches the instrument pod to the bike. Spray painted the rough edges black, installed the voltmeter, and wired it up to the parking light in the high beam.
It's a partially effective install, although the reading is about .5vdc off of actual battery voltage. I am smart enough to do the math, but I am also a virgo, so I want it to be right.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to tap in to switched 12 vdc closer to the battery (for more accurate reading) that doesn't involve tapping into a harness?

[iowabeakster]

I really just wanted to say the meter install looks pretty good.

I'm sure there is another way to do this, but off the top of my head, I suggest using a relay. Then, you could hook the meter right up to the battery... using a switched wire (like your parking light tap) as the trigger.

Can the gauge be calibrated at all? I just wonder how accurate something like that gauge would be, even directly hooked up to the battery.

[DatOrg7590]

I really just wanted to say the meter install looks pretty good.

I'm sure there is another way to do this, but off the top of my head, I suggest using a relay. Then, you could hook the meter right up to the battery... using a switched wire (like your parking light tap) as the trigger.

Can the gauge be calibrated at all? I just wonder how accurate something like that gauge would be, even directly hooked up to the battery.

Hooking up to a relay is a good idea. I'll look into a suitable spot to do it.
The gauge is accurate. I've compared it to a DVM at the battery, and at the hook up point. VDO does have a reputation as providing fairly accurate devices. This gauge doesn't have a "trim" adjustment. At 26 bucks... what can I expect. I do have three Airhead gauges. Two are green numerals, and one is white numerals. The green numeral gauges would present an aesthetic problem, but would be functionally sound. The white numeral WILL stay hooked up on the R90S. The good thing about the Motometers is that they do have a trim adjustment. I could adjust the .5vdc out. Aesthetics vs functionality...Vintage Airhead components on the Rockster...intriguing choices to consider. I appreciate your help.
KLL

[spoon]

I don't think you have an accuracy problem. The gage is showing you the voltage at your headlight wireing. And that has a .5 volt drop (at least). A change to the headlight wiring will change that. Run a heavy gage wire to directly to the headlights by relat and use the switch gear to trigger the relay. Volt meter problem solved and headlight voltage drop solved.

[sweatmark]

Your voltmeter install looks pretty good! When first reading this topic title, I mentally cringed with imagined kludge mounts for aftermarket meter, but that location (on either side) below the R1100S instrument panel is useful and creative.

Nicely done.

[DatOrg7590]

Your voltmeter install looks pretty good! When first reading this topic title, I mentally cringed with imagined kludge mounts for aftermarket meter, but that location (on either side) below the R1100S instrument panel is useful and creative.

Nicely done.

Sweatmark, Thanks.
I can tell you that I mentally cringed as I started to look at what most manufacturers are marketing as "Motorcycle Voltmeters". Red, yellow and green LEDs, LCD displays, all very depressing. The Rockster's "Wabi-sabi" (beauty in imperfection) gauge combination lends itself to flexibility with regard to style of meter we can mount...no need to try to match either of the existing gauges perfectly, since that is un-doable.
The left side of the pod will be a more difficult install, as a result of the Low beam housing having a larger diameter...I think that a stand-off would be required. I intend to tackle it...the question is...what type of gauge? I would very much like to be able to monitor engine/oil temp.
Any thoughts?
Kerry

[Lion_Lady]

Too late, I suppose, but check out P3+ lights. An amazing array of tail/brake/conspicuity lights for your bike. The P3+ includes a voltmeter option. http://www.lights.skenedesign.com/P3_Features.shtml Why invent the wheel, when someone else already has one for sale?

There are also Photon Blaster lights for "front end" visibility. I know a bunch of folks who have one or both light systems on their BMWs (the designer is a BMWBMW club member), and swear by them.

P

[DatOrg7590]

Too late, I suppose, but check out P3+ lights. An amazing array of tail/brake/conspicuity lights for your bike. The P3+ includes a voltmeter option. http://www.lights.skenedesign.com/P3_Features.shtml Why invent the wheel, when someone else already has one for sale?

There are also Photon Blaster lights for "front end" visibility. I know a bunch of folks who have one or both light systems on their BMWs (the designer is a BMWBMW club member), and swear by them.

P

Appreciated.
I am a strong supporter of conspicuity enhancements. I do not, however think that the voltmeter option described rises to the same level of functionality as the analog VDO gauge. I don't think that it's a case of reinventing the wheel, the comparison is apples and oranges.

[DatOrg7590]

The left side of the pod will be a more difficult install, as a result of the Low beam housing having a larger diameter...I think that a stand-off would be required. I intend to tackle it...the question is...what type of gauge? I would very much like to be able to monitor engine/oil temp.
Any thoughts?
Kerry[/quote]

[sweatmark]

DatOrg-

So is the above pic your Rockster? Didn't notice the carbon fiber instrument cover in YouTube vid.

Envious of the the extra gauge information. For some time I've considered removing the clock and replacing with some type of combination LCD display that might show temp, volts, whatever... if only there was a generic version of the old K-bike "Fuel Plus" gauge that replaced the LCD clock.

Other choices might be a hacked battery meter (like "Battery Bug"), PIC-driven 2x16 LCD display, other?

[DatOrg7590]

DatOrg-

So is the above pic your Rockster? Didn't notice the carbon fiber instrument cover in YouTube vid.

Sweatmark, It is indeed my bike. It's really just a trick of the light (or rather lack of light) in the video. The flash sets the CF off. I'm the worst kind of Carbon Fiber addict...the kind who can't afford it. When the Ztecnik CF dash cover went to (about) half price about a year ago, I couldn't resist. Additional CF on the bike includes (and is limited to): Gas cap cover (a gift from my wife), and a BEAUTIFUL Front Fender... (stock) I did buy the Wunderlich CF Enlarged Air Intake Tube...it didn't fit, and I returned it
Update on the Temp gauge: Looks like the bike runs between 185 and 200 degrees (normal?). The gauge is 150-300, so, the gauge throw is limited to the lower third of the gauge. I would prefer to have the needle centered during normal operating conditions. All of the 120-250 deg temp gauges that I've seen are all labeled as water gauges. I'm satisfied with it's operation and it does provide the balance that I was seeking in the dingle. I'm interested in what the temp will be, when the ambient temp rises.

[DatOrg7590]

DatOrg-

So is the above pic your Rockster? Didn't notice the carbon fiber instrument cover in YouTube vid.

it does provide the balance that I was seeking in the ----. I'm interested in what the temp will be, when the ambient temp rises.

LOL! The software automatically deleted a word in the post, and replaced it with lines! So here's the 20 questions version of the word that was deleted:
It's where an airplane pilot sits.
It has lots of gauges.
Get it?