voltmeter choices

Has anyone installed a voltmeter on a "98 - '01 VFR ? I'm looking for something small and tidy ( not the typical 2" round automotive style guage) any ideas ?

 

I ordered the Lascar EMV 1200 on this page:
http://www.alliedelec.com/catalog/pf.asp?FN=945.pdf

It measures 4-25 volts, is splash-proof, and costs about 25 bucks.  I mounted it as far forward as possible in the flat (horizontal) panel on the left side of the forks so when the bike is parked on the side stand it is mostly protected from the rain by the windshield and fairing.  I connected it to the marker light circuit and it works great.  On the lighting circuit mine reads in the high 13s when I first start the bike and the high 12s thereafter (once the battery has re-charged).  Installed at that point in the system, it doesn't read actual charging voltage, but gives you a baseline so you can monitor the health of your charging system.

NOTE: "SPLASH-PROOF" doesn't mean "WATERPROOF."
I've gotten mine too wet a couple of times by accidentally spraying it with the hose while I was washing the bike.  The few times this has happened, the display stopped working for a bit until it dried out and then worked fine thereafter.  Now I don't even worry about it.  Mounted where it is, I've never had it stop working while riding in the rain.

Allied Electronics also has a some more expensive ones that it sells (billed as "waterproof&quot but I can't vouch for any of them because I've never used 'em.  I liked the simplicity of the one I bought and not having to cut any big gaping holes in the bike  (just a little, bitty 7/32-inch hole ;-) ).


HTH,
Jake

 

Jake : Thanks for the link and especially all the info.. It looks perfect, just what I was looking for. I'll install it the way you did as that seems best. Fuldog1

 

Jake:
Have you got a picture of where your voltmeter is mounted on your bike?

 

The pic is a little gritty and the lighting is bad because I just went out and took it with my cell phone in the parking lot... But here you go:

 

Hey....thanks !! I added it yesterday to my bike got it through work for $25.00 ..

Makes me feel so much better having it...
Did I wire it right ...When the blinker goes on it turns off.
I used the middle wire from the blinker.
I also mounted a little lower and when I'm driving I can not view...which is OK for me.
Not sure why honda or other Bikes have this simple meter...

Thanks again for posting.
Steve

 

Mine does too. When the blinker is going, the marker element is turned off I guess. In any case, it still works fine.

I have to lean forward a bit to see mine, but not much.


HTH,
Jake

 

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;DThanks again...i have a few other friends also adding it to there bikes.

 

I saw one of these installed on a motorcycle last night, it was a neat piece of work:

http://store.mm411.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=180&id=822

 

Thats neat also but $$$$$ too much for me...