voltmeter install, measuring voltage output after regulator?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by peterZz, Jan 10, 2014.

  1. peterZz

    peterZz New Member

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    Hey vfrworld!
    first post here! I was bored at engineering classes and decided I might as well entertain myself with the lasercutting machine and make something useful for my bike, thus DIY'ing a mobilephone-holder-usb-port-voltmeter

    I've read through most voltmeter topics and everyone seems to connect (indirectly) to the battery.
    Basically i'm wondering where to connect the measuring wire from my volt meter so it will show regulator failure.
    Or would it also show on the voltage over the battery? has anyone connected a voltmeter for the same purpose?

    greetings,
    Peter.
     
    peterZz, Jan 10, 2014


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  2. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Scubalong, Jan 10, 2014


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  3. peterZz

    peterZz New Member

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    Hi!
    Yes for 3 months now I've owned a 2001 vfr800! Have been enjoying it, just over 2000 km so far, first bike btw!
    I have been lurking around here since December.

    Well I was assuming that if the regulator would fail, it would overcharge the battery, which in turn would fail. Is this not true?
    I'm assuming this mostly based on some threads where they said it could destroy the battery, so i was thinking the best would be to measure regulator output as it would show overcharging as well as no charging.
     
    peterZz, Jan 10, 2014


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  4. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Hi PeterZz - for your question, no matter what the status of the system, the standard R/R test is recording the voltage at the battery posts. If the the volts are high or low, volts at the battery will show where the R/R health is at. - -With that, IMHO, the best place to hook up a meter is at the battery. I have mine with a fuse and switch in line on the positive side. Some guys do a relay off the tail light switch for a key on/off control, but I like the direct switch method to check the battery before starting the bike. (You have a laser cutter to play with? Sooo jealous!)

    [​IMG]
     
    mello dude, Jan 10, 2014


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  5. safetypro10

    safetypro10 New Member

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    I installed a auxiliary fuse box that's switched and gets juice directly from the battery. I read my voltage off that so I see battery voltage. This way no drained battery, and I see actual voltage.

    Larry
     
    safetypro10, Jan 10, 2014


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  6. Vfourer

    Vfourer New Member

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    I installed a Koso waterproof voltmeter on my Daytona 675 as there were prone to burn stators/rectifiers, I burnt out 2 factory stators before I gave up and got it custom recoiled. Very easy to install just need to fine a main power line that turns off with the ignition.
    slimline-volt-meter-red-dial-265-p.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2014
    Vfourer, Jan 10, 2014


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  7. Fantastic!

    Fantastic! New Member

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    Would the ignition switch itself be a good place to splice in?
     
    Fantastic!, Jan 10, 2014


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  8. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    About 90% of r/r failures result in undercharging. :sour:

    Yes, ignition switch is a good place to grab +12.
     
    squirrelman, Jan 11, 2014


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