12v LED Battery Monitor, voltage and charge indicator

[Nessism]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....479033981&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:VRI

Voltmeter using a single three colour LED with multiple output modes and over-voltage warning:

* high brightness 10mm three-colour LED (n.b. my other single LED unit is available in 5mm, 8mm or 10mm LEDs)
* complete with mounting holder (holder requires 14mm hole in panel)
* indicates the charge state of your battery
* in vehicles, gives a confirmation that your alternator is charging your battery
* fully customisable thresholds, with over-voltage indication
* available for 12v or 24v applications (please state when ordering)
* fully insulated and protected (no bare circuit board or components)
* reverse polarity and overload protected
* software helps prevent LED moving rapidly from one output to another at change-over point
* accuracy to better than 0.1v

Output table

The voltage thresholds (see table below) can be custom-programmed to your specifications during the build, if you feel the standard thresholds don't suit your application.

Voltage Output

>15.2 Green/Red alternating (over-voltage)

>13.2 Green (charging)

>12.45 Amber (50% to 100%)

>12.25 Red (25% to 50%)

>12 Red 2 flashes, repeat

>11.8 Red 3 flashes, repeat

<11.8 Red 4 flashes, repeat

Bought me one of these charge indicator light thingies and hooked it up yesterday. Installation is easy as pie...sort of. All you need to do is find a switched power source (orange wires in the GS wiring convention) and splice the indicator in, along with a ground. Unfortunately, the wire harness in my bike, apparently, has some resistance which dropped the voltage into the indicator resulting in a false undercharging condition. Probed around with a volt meter and decided to bite the bullet and perform the coil relay mod, which then in part gave me a nice feed point for the indicator light. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/coil_relay_mod.html

After getting everything hooked up properly the indicator is working as designed. On my bike, with a somewhat discharged battery, the light is RED/AMBER at idle but switches to GREEN as the rpm's rise. The switching back and forth is mildly annoying and as I type this, it occurs to me that I'd better put my real volt meter across the battery to make sure my charging system is working properly. At any rate, this little device is doing what it should so I'm giving it the thumbs up. Total cost with shipping was less than $16, which seems reasonable to me.

 

[koolaid_kid]

Very nice. How/where did you mount it? Pics?

 

[Gsxke]

Very nice. How/where did you mount it? Pics?

I'm curious

 

[Nessism]

The 1000S has a hole in the dash that's covered with a rubber plug. No idea what Suzuki had in mind with this hole but it was ripe for the pick'n.

 

[posplayr]

nice inconspicous display. I'm experimenting with a small 3 digit LED that I can mount on my GSXR. I have a VDO and Showchrome and would not really want to be without some type of voltage monitor.

 

[Nessism]

After topping off the battery the flashing at idle is gone. The LED turns amber at idle but quickly switches to green as soon as the rpm raises above idle. Not sure how annoying this thing would be with a marginally tired battery but seems to work okay for the money and is definitely better than not having a charging system monitor.

 

[posplayr]

After topping off the battery the flashing at idle is gone. The LED turns amber at idle but quickly switches to green as soon as the rpm raises above idle. Not sure how annoying this thing would be with a marginally tired battery but seems to work okay for the money and is definitely better than not having a charging system monitor.

It also annoying when my volt meter drops to 12.5V at a slow idle , so not sure the LED is doing anything worse than that. :-\\\

 

[hampshirehog]

The 1000S has a hole in the dash that's covered with a rubber plug. No idea what Suzuki had in mind with this hole but it was ripe for the pick'n.

Ed, that hole is the optional position for the clock on/off switch.

 

[duaneage]

I have the ever popular meter from CA sport which gives clock and temperature. I like the single LED better since it doesn't require actually reading and being distracted like a voltmeter does, green going to red at cruising speed will get your attention.

I was working on a differential circuit to do something similar but it's a lot easier to buy theirs. I wonder if it could be tweaked or calibrated to compensate for resistances in the harness

 

[Nessism]

I have the ever popular meter from CA sport which gives clock and temperature. I like the single LED better since it doesn't require actually reading and being distracted like a voltmeter does, green going to red at cruising speed will get your attention.

I was working on a differential circuit to do something similar but it's a lot easier to buy theirs. I wonder if it could be tweaked or calibrated to compensate for resistances in the harness

Didn't see this post until just now...

The UK seller for this voltage light thing will set the threshold voltages where ever you want. Mine is the default

Voltage Output

>15.20 Green/Red alternating (over-voltage)

>13.20 Green (charging)

>12.45 Amber (75% plus)

>12.25 Red (50% approx)

>12.00 Red 2 flashes, repeat

>11.80 Red 3 flashes, repeat

<11.80 Red 4 flashes, repeat

Unfortunately, mine spends a lot of time switching from Green to Amber to Red.

No load voltage on my battery is 12.6 volts, which drops to about 11.8 volts when the ignition is turned on. I think this is too low but not sure.

When starting the bike and reving the engine the light typically turns green, but flashes amber or even red when the revs drop. Honestly, this is pretty maddening so I just ordered a new battery but not sure that is the problem.

Voltage out of the R/R is 14.5 volts, but by the time the voltage gets over to the battery it's about 14.0 volts. Seems marginal but not sure what to do next other than maybe feed voltage straight from the R/R and into the battery (right now it's split - feeding the battery and the harness both).

 

[Sandy]

I like the single LED concept. I've got the small multi LED meter that sits between the handlebar clamp and is velcroed to the bar. However, looking at the photo you posted do you think the LED you have would fit in the small plastic shroud that goes over the ignition switch. If not would slight trimming make it fit. I like simple.

 

[koolaid_kid]

I just installed one on the GS today. Awesome, and it takes up very little real estate.