Inexpensive LCD voltmeter installation

Grathiam

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Location
Pattaya
Bikes
Suzuki 250XC Djebel, F650GS, Honda Dream
In January 2012, I had my '98 Sukuki XC250 'Djebel' engine rebuilt in Phnom Penh.
No problem, but when returning home, the stator/generator failed about 25-km before Chantaburi.
There is no warning light on the bike's speedo/odo to indicate is the stator is not working properly.
I was in the middle of nowhere and spent the night sleeping in the roadside dirt. I'd called a friend
who rescued me the following morning, taking me and the bike back to Pattaya.

So, a few months ago, I happened on the thread below for installing an inexpensive LCD voltmeter,
and ordered and received 2-voltmeters one for each of my bikes. The voltmeters are a mere 70-Bt each
and postage is free! They are made in China, but they are _not_ waterproof.
useful voltmeter installation

I applied a liberal coating of clear silicone on the circuit board and side of the unit making it waterproof.
Silicone, as well as superglue adhesives are both non-conductive.
The silicone adhesive failed to adequately glue the LCD on the bike's display, so I used contact cement.

I connected the LCD display to a wire that is only hot when the key is turned on; the ground wire can
be attached any where that is convenient. So, now with fair warning, maybe there's no more unplanned dirt naps!

Below is a pix of the voltmeter on my Suzuki:
 
The one fatal flaw here is it is not waterproof nor is it designed for a motorbike.

The question is, how accurate is it, will it survive the high temps of SEA and more to the point, will it handle the cold of the high mountains?

I have been searching for a long time for the holy grail in this area, but at this stage I am unconvinced but maybe your experience will change my mind :)

Mind you, I just checked that link you gave, scroll down a bit and you will see in one of the replies a link to SparkBrite, that is on my install list, but if you go to their home page the one I want has not yet been released, it was due out early new year and looks the ducks nuts
 
I'd be inclined to seal it with epoxy rather than silicone.
 
Don't remember where I bought it, but it was under ten bucks. Still going after four or so years on the Katoom.

<img src="http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=15527"/>

Looks like you either need a new battery or the alternator is shagged. 11.1v is a very low level
 
You could try one of these a Kuryakyn meter, i have had one on my Honda PC800 for a couple of years waterproof. Available from jcwhitney.com $51

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