Visually check your charging and battery

[gsxbarmy]

I've noticed of late that the number of forum members having problems with either their battery or charging system is starting to rise slightly.

All I can recommend is fitting one of these handy little lights

https://gammatronixltd.com/epages/bae94c71-c5b6-4572-89a1-e89006e78fbe.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/bae94c71-c5b6-4572-89a1-e89006e78fbe/Products/BIKE-E-12V

When the engine is running it tells you the state of your charging system. When the engine is stopped, it tells you the state of your battery (and flashes to look like an alarm).

I had one of these fitted to my 1400 (now fitted to my Triumph) and it does work - gave me early warning of my battery failing on my Suzuki.

For the price, highly recommended.

[grog]

Good reco Dave. I like the flashing light idea. I have a digital voltmeter that works fine, has usb ports as well.

[SFC1000]

@grog how is the voltmeter going? If it's stood the test of time what brand is it and where can I get one?
I've come to the conclusion I'd like to see the state of charge or non charge as the case might be.

[grog]

SFC, cant find the one i got. EBay history only 3 yrs. 3RD Gear one should be good, bought a lot off them. https://www.thirdgear.com.au/handlebar-mount-12v-socket-twin-usb-voltmeter-powe

[SFC1000]

Thanks, that's a pretty flash one.
It's good to get a recommendation than take pot luck with some of the crap on Ebay.

[grog]

SFC, i looked today. That 3rd Gear one is just an EBay resold. $20. Cant find mine anywhere. So stupid cant go back more than 3 yrs on e bay purchased. If i was buying, id chance the listing for 3 in 1, temp, volt, time. Very cheap but no bar attach ring. Fit to mirror hole would work.

[Del]

@gsxbarmy

Where did you fit it mate

Cheers Del 

[gsxbarmy]

@gsxbarmy

Where did you fit it mate

Cheers Del 

Hey Del, I had it fitted inside the cockpit fairing on my 14.

On my Triumph, I made a small bracket up out of 1mm Kydex (Kydex is brilliant stuff, you buy it in sheets in different thicknesses, and if you heat it gently with a hot air gun, it quickly becomes quite flexible and malleable such that you can form intricate shapes to suit - and as it cools so it goes solid again. I designed a bracket in card which I then transferred into Kydex before fitting same. Without the cockpit fairing, I probably would have used a small collar to fit around the handlebars and then a bracket with a hole in it for the unit (as it is waterproof))

[BlueDragon]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001346132845.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.46923c83DgmP6f&algo_pvid=427c35bc-edc4-4b71-b2a3-9bb3510f107b&algo_expid=427c35bc-edc4-4b71-b2a3-9bb3510f107b-14&btsid=0bb0624216214881031187882e4755&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

I bought one of these from Aliexpress.

Works great.
Whilst I don't use the water temp..     or need an extra clock.. 

I leave it on the voltmeter all the time.  Shows me voltage as soon as I turn the key and gives me a readout all the time while riding.  being LCD as opposed to LED, I can see it all the time in daylight.  Whereas the LED types can be difficult to see in direct sunlight.

it is also backlit.  So at night when riding, I can see it normally as well..  Its very well lit, but not overly bright either.

When I installed it I tested it all with my voltmeter - and this meter was accurate to within  0.1volts.  Connected it with fuse etc, so it reads actual battery voltage and it turns off and on with the key.

Old pic on my rebuild thread here
https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=4148.30

[Athelstanexxx]

Just bought it and installed.
Works as magic
Thanks pal

- on the road: constant green if all is ok. Flashing red + green means alternator failure (e.g. overcharging!). Dropping to yellow means your system is heavily loaded (heated gloves, etc).
 
- When parked or stored, you see flashing green, yellow or red for battery 'idle' status, and this is nice when bike is parked since it's like you have an alarm

- Power Consumption : 10mA nominal on the road, 0.5mA when parked - essentially nothing

https://gammatronixltd.com/epages/bae94c71-c5b6-4572-89a1-e89006e78fbe.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/bae94c71-c5b6-4572-89a1-e89006e78fbe/Products/BIKE-E-12V