BMW Luxury Touring Community

BlueBeemer

Jul 22nd, 2008, 6:36 am

I just bought a digital meter at Walmart (Auto dept) that plugs into a cars 12V socket-cost $15.87.

Used the BMW adapter cable that converts to a normal 12v outlet and plugged in the above meter---works nice.

I will verify it's weather proofing and see if I can easily mount it without using one of the heater outlets...probably direct to the battery.

I really do not understand why BMW did not avail a voltage readout on the fancy instrument cluster...a simple analog to digital converter could have easily been implemented and sent to the display. Oil pressure is another area that should have been displayed.

ibbones

Jul 22nd, 2008, 9:25 am

Try THIS ONE (http://www.marteltesttools.com/products.php?cat=114&action=detail&id=73). I have seen them mounted on the dash under the headlight adjuster knob and hooked up to the battery so they are hot all the time. It might be one of my next farkles. The only downside is there is no light on it but at least you can look to see how the battery is doing without turning the bike on.

motorhead

Jul 22nd, 2008, 12:39 pm

http://http://www.kuryakyn.com/graphics/products/thumbnail/11021_kur_4219_tt_h_tn.jpgMy LT is fitted with one of these L.E.D. volt meters marketed by Kuryakyn.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkmURGoZIERQAFYNXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyZGFuYm01BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA0gxNjNfNzk-/SIG=12n637ocl/EXP=1216834449/**http%3a//lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/kuryakynLedVoltmeter.html

(http://www.kuryakyn.com/graphics/12109_kur_FLSH_art_u.jpg)

RealWing

Jul 22nd, 2008, 9:28 pm

[QUOTE=motorhead]http://http://www.kuryakyn.com/graphics/products/thumbnail/11021_kur_4219_tt_h_tn.jpgMy LT is fitted with one of these L.E.D. volt meters marketed by Kuryakyn.
/QUOTE]

I use one of these as well. Colored LED's stand out very well for a quick check. I installed on left side along with my tire pressure monitor.

grifscoots

Jul 23rd, 2008, 3:02 am

Reid

Jul 23rd, 2008, 11:10 am

I only check my battery voltage when it's dead and I'm stranded somewhere!!:)

grifscoots

Jul 23rd, 2008, 12:21 pm

I only check my battery voltage when it's dead and I'm stranded somewhere!!:)Agreed! A sensible and pragmatic way of going about it.

bonafidebob

Jul 23rd, 2008, 1:22 pm

My P3 lights (http://www.p3lights.com/) (LED brake/running lights) include a voltmeter. They blink out the voltage every time I turn on the bike. (I'm a sucker for blinking lights.)

ConspiracyofOne

Jul 23rd, 2008, 1:35 pm

I really like the Datel (http://www.digitalmeter.com/cgi-bin/webshop.cgi?config=configspc.txt&uid=avdedned115837161072&command=link--bikemeter).

Frenched into the panel ofmy bike it looks OEM

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/8/5/vario006.jpg

Where did you tap into? I have a Datel that was on my ST1100 and would like to add it to my LT.
Ray

RVB1019

Jul 23rd, 2008, 3:44 pm

Hi Ray,

Check out the bottom of this thread. You will see several threads with similar topics. Here is a thread about how to install the voltmeter:

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21335

grifscoots

Jul 23rd, 2008, 10:01 pm

Where did you tap into? I have a Datel that was on my ST1100 and would like to add it to my LT.
RayI put it to one of the switched circuits on my Painless Fuse Box. But it can go to any switched circuit and the draw isn't enough to freak out the ZFE on the new gen GT.

If I was putting it on an LTand didn't have a fuse box, I would run it to the parking light in the headlight assembly.

VitesseLT

Jul 24th, 2008, 10:45 am

Newer high end Cobra radar detectors (99X0 and perhaps others) have a voltmeter built in. Can choose to see it or not on the screen as well as having a notification for a out-of-range value. So, if you're thinking voltmeter and thinking radar safety receiver, this could do both.

RVB1019

Jul 24th, 2008, 11:16 am

radar safety receiver

Cute nickname but I think this is still illegal in a few states!

dmatson

Jul 24th, 2008, 10:08 pm

I put one in when doing a major farkelization last year and really like it. At night it is lit up red like the dash.
http://www.dmat.smugmug.com/photos/147728144_sVkYt-L.jpg

JimH

Jul 25th, 2008, 5:56 am

So what is the voltmeter used for?

grifscoots

Jul 25th, 2008, 9:27 am

So what is the voltmeter used for?It shows volts:D

Basically, when you turn on the bike you'll get a picture of the standing voltage of the battery minus parasitic draw. So, it's not entirely accurate, but you'll know if it's at 11v and can do something about it..... especially before a trip.

You can also watch the charging system at work annd it's health when running.

simoncharles

Mar 14th, 2009, 7:47 pm

Anybody tried one of these ? http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=BOVOLT

dvx216

Mar 15th, 2009, 8:38 am

another place you could look would be any marina or boat supplier like west coat marine or US boat and they would be water proof

retiredjj

Mar 16th, 2009, 12:40 am

How about an amp meter? Wouldn't that be more telling of an impending electrical failure?

Gino

Mar 16th, 2009, 2:23 pm

I use one of these as well. Colored LED's stand out very well for a quick check. I installed on left side along with my tire pressure monitor.

** Thread Hi-Jack ON **

How do you like the Tire Watch system? Was the install as straightforward as the documentation shows?

** Thread Hi-Jack OFF **

Turbocat

Mar 16th, 2009, 5:22 pm

How about an amp meter? Wouldn't that be more telling of an impending electrical failure?

These articles conclude that the answer is no:

http://www.prostreetonline.com/catalog/autometer_voltmeter.asp
(article is at the very bottom of the page)

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/amp&voltmeters.htm

to quote from this article: "With one or more failing single cells in a battery, of the shorting-type failure (common), the ammeter may well show a wonderfully nice charge whilst under way, yet the battery is about to fail. In this case, a voltmeter would indicate a decreased voltage, indicating something amiss."

mickrichardson

Mar 16th, 2009, 6:39 pm

Anybody tried one of these ? http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=BOVOLT

Yes - I have one of those - works a treat. If it's green, battery is fine. I think I wired it into the courtesy light over the clocks one time when I had all the tupperware off.

It's really neat and tidy - at least, I think so!

cfell

Mar 16th, 2009, 7:24 pm

Yes - I have one of those - works a treat. If it's green, battery is fine. I think I wired it into the courtesy light over the clocks one time when I had all the tupperware off.

It's really neat and tidy - at least, I think so!

Yup.. I have that one, too.. works great!

simoncharles

Mar 17th, 2009, 3:38 am

Thanks guys, will order one tomorrow.

DanDiver

Mar 17th, 2009, 4:54 am

I really like the Datel (http://www.digitalmeter.com/cgi-bin/webshop.cgi?config=configspc.txt&uid=avdedned115837161072&command=link--bikemeter).

Frenched into the panel ofmy bike it looks OEM

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/8/5/vario006.jpg

Hi Grif, Nice installation, looks custom. Any reason to go with the one that reads in the 100's vs. 10's volts? Would the one that is more sensitive be too distracting?

SilverBuffalo

Mar 17th, 2009, 10:48 am

So what is the voltmeter used for?Mostly its just another thing for you to watch and worry about, if you're into that sorta thing :)
it will give you "early warning" if you do develop a "charging" issue.

I always check mine before I start the bike.

My old Garmin (second) GPS that I use only for a speed indicator (very large numbers)
also has a voltage readout.

dukey33

Mar 17th, 2009, 11:43 am

Mostly its just another thing for you to watch and worry about, if you're into that sorta thing :)
it will give you "early warning" if you do develop a "charging" issue.

It can also give you good insight to when you've overtaxed the charging system. If you've got aux lights, heated clothing, etc....that will put a lot of additional load on the alternator. Running all those in low speed traffic can put your system into a power negative state, pulling power from the battery instead of charging it.

simoncharles

May 7th, 2009, 4:51 pm

mickrichardson

May 7th, 2009, 5:12 pm

I wonder if Mick or cfell could tell me if they took the power straight from the battery or from somewhere that is only live after the key has been turned on.

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=BOVOLT

Thanks

Hi - I took the positive from behind the 'courtesy light' above the speedo / rev counter - and found an earth not far away. I think this may be the only thing that courtesy light has been used for since I had the bike!

Mick