best $5 I have spent on my VFR

$5 volt meter from my local electronics store (Not Radio Shack). Hopefully this will keep me from being stranded again or at least let me pick a safer place.

 

Great idea but is the meter waterproof? "Not" Radio Shack is really great information that can be shared.. WTF??

 

Fairly certain it is not waterproof but it does have a calibration adjustment and the mounting is under the windshield sealed in silicone. I doubt I will have any problems and if I do it is only $5. I will get another and try again.
As for where I got it, Tanner Electric. They have only one location. Little family owned place in the Dallas area that I was pretty sure no one has heard of or has access to. That is why I simply said "not Radio Shack".

 

How did you install it?

 

I hooked it into the fuse box mounted on top of the tripple tree from the bottom. I used the tail light cicuit so it would go on and off with the key. ( a nice hint from someone else on this site. Wish I could remember who and give them credit) the negative lead I hooked to an existing ground post on the upper right side of the frame just barely visible thru a vent in the fairing.

 

Most metro or near metro locales have electronic gear. I would suggest finding out the easy way if your voltmeter is waterproof or not. Mounted under the windscreen is not any insurance that the meter will not get wet and short out. A few pesos more should get you a voltmeter from a marine supply or even Radio Shack that is waterproof.

Maybe even a meter from one of those 1250 HP Cigarette Boats the rich Texans use to catch bass on TV...

The tail light circuit is a good spot for wiring up various farkles. One of the first uses was back aboot 20 years when a dude from OZ figured out that a muffin fan from a computer could provide more airflow to the famous and failing regulator/rectifiers we all love.

How do I know all this shit? Educated in Texas.. Not A&M..

 

I'm sure most metro areas do have electronics gear and maybe Radio Shack has a good one. I'm also not worried about the waterproofing. I don't expect this bike to see rain if avoidable and if it shorts I will have a cheap piece of plastic instead of a voltmeter. No worry. I believe it would be fine the way I have mounted it regardless of moisture.
By the way, do you work for Radio Shack or something Badbilly?

 

No, I don't work for Radio Shack. Would it make you feel better if I did?

 

No, I don't believe it would. Just curious why you think it is necessary to start out with a combative attitude. I thought maybe my comment about not radio shack was the reason.

 

That's a fine weapon in the battle against dead VFR elec-tricks !!

I've been using a $5 HF alternator tester with a series of LEDs showing % of charge.



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Just when and for whom Badbilly works for is and must forever remain unknown for security porpoises. Part of his "charm" is that he's loyal to never being loyal to anything or one. Kid had a bad experience once when he was 12 with a Harley rider, and that resentment still burns brightly now. Keep speaKing for the outraged but too polite to complain people, Billy, and don't neglect to keep surprising us, ya barmy pillock.

 

Neat idea Squirrelman. I have contemplated making a dash behind the gauges that follows the contour of the windscreen for some other tell-tales. Maybe a stop-light indicator, clock and your percent-of-charge would be a nice addition.

 

If you do that, Svan..., post pix and how you did it, please -- there's not much room to work there without major removal of bodyparts! I'm thinking of mounting a gear indicator, but am wondering where to mount the read-out.

And as to Billy - check out his subtitle: "Official VFRWorld Troll of The Year" = touchy, irritable, likely to issue provocative responses to anything. Hey, just glad you're not Son of ...what, lupine, dog, critter, who seems to be (perhaps with reason) on Billy's list recently! otstir::heh:

Ed

 

Will do Mooselips. The most I plan on removing is the windshield. For that matter when I am finished I will send you a template.

 

Don't forget that Bad Billy is some issues with sanity! :banana:

 

So which one of yas that are running the non-waterproof instuments do I start calling "Shorty" ?

 

Very nicely done. Looks OEM almost!

 

All except for the ziplock baggie for when it rains..