Voltage monitoring LED

[PJbiker]

Took for MOT today and started showing over charging on the voltage meter. When I got back I took the rear cowl off and checked the voltages and resistances at the reg/rec. 2 of the 3 yellow wires showed about 10 volts AC to earth, the other (left) showed 1 volt. Across the Reg rec output wires, about 16V. That'll be a shagged reg/rec and generator then. Ordered both from Jaws. I bought the bike with the knowledge that these would probably need changing at some point and don't want to knacker the battery I've just bought. Replaced rear brake pads too today and had advisory for both tyres. Got the bike cheap so got to expect maintenance costs:violin:.
Well done voltage LED!

 

[damientt]

Anyone got pictures of how to wire one of these gadgets into the loom?

I bought one and don't want to risk making a balls-up fitting it.

 

[Centaur]

Hi Damien.

Wire anywhere across pos and earth. I have mine across the wiring to the heated grips. It must be across somewhere which is controlled by the ignition switch. Someone will be along soon with best place on a Bbird!:-0)

 

[silverfox.xx]

Either one of the fuses that are live on ignition or as you're up that end anyway... from behind the dash, instrument light bulb supply.

 

[sparky21464]

Hi Rick,
Have had one of these on for about a year now and its great. certainly piece of mind. It has prevented me being stuck on the side of the road, my alternator went and 2 Reg/recs. Good thread! Tony@tu*

 

[andyBeaker]

Mine has been installed for quite a while now and works very well.

However, do not be fooled into thinking it is the magic answer to warn of all electrical problems - I have just replaced a battery that failed totally after 18 months and the LED gave no hint that this was happening, The charging system was fine other than the battery so while the engine was running the LED simply indicated that the generator/regrec part of the system was pushing through the correct voltage. Did not indicate that the battery was incapable of storing a charge.

Interestingly, with new battery installed (along with new generator coils as a preventative measure at 47k miles) the pattern of the LED colours showing has changed completely, with solid red being more evident than with the old bits installed. Bit unsettling at first, but highlights that the LED light is a guide only and not an all singing all dancing answer to everything woe wise electrica on the Bird.

Would rather it was there than not though. Starting from scratch I would install an acumen gear indicator with built in digital voltage meter - give them a call, they have a few left in stock as it has been discontinued due to lack of demand:dunno::dunno:

 

[damientt]

I bought mine a few months ago and finally got round to installing it. Nice healthy shade of green at the moment and I sincerely hope it stays that way. I did have a minor problem with the unit but it was quickly sorted out by Andrew (the clever bloke who designs them). Top man.

Looks like there's now an auto-dimming (how clever is that!) version available. Have a look here - http://www.sparkbright.co.uk/products/product_eclipse810.html - if you're interested.

 

[Rayaugh]

I have just purchased a Voltage monitoring LED which changes colour depending on the voltage the battery is being charged at. It shows green above 13.2V, Amber @ 12.45 and red below that. I am fitting it to the Bird to give an early warning of impending Reg/Rec or other charging system failure. I dont know if anyone else has fitted nice led lights one of these, or if they are interested in my feedback or even wanting to buy one. But if so please let me know and i will give you details. I am not making anything out of it and only paid £8 for it. It is just i know a few people were looking at these from the USA for a fair bit more money.

I sounds great man. How much it costs you and do you have some pics to share?

 

[ianrobbo1]

Boing!!

So have any of the previous contributors to this thread had any of the LED units fail on them since last adding to this thread please, as I feel it's time I sorted my EFFING bike's electrics out once and for all, since the bloody thing died at Mc Bash earlier this year, and has done so twice since!! :bang:including today!!!:rant:
also looking at the alternative to the RR that there "MOSFET" r/r and if anyone has fitted one to an efi bird would you post the links so I can perhaps get one and fit it please??:dunno:

 

[andyBeaker]

Boing!!

So have any of the previous contributors to this thread had any of the LED units fail on them since last adding to this thread please, as I feel it's time I sorted my EFFING bike's electrics out once and for all, since the bloody thing died at Mc Bash earlier this year, and has done so twice since!! :bang:including today!!!:rant:
also looking at the alternative to the RR that there "MOSFET" r/r and if anyone has fitted one to an efi bird would you post the links so I can perhaps get one and fit it please??:dunno:

Nope, mine is still going strong and gave good warning when my electrics went earlier this year, but I chose to ignore it as I thought it was just behaving slightly differently when I installed a new battery. Great bit of kit, dead easy to install especially if you don't get too involved in 'where do I mount it', just poke it through the gap between the screen and dash and velcro in place.

My advice on electric woes on a Bird - replace all three bits (that is all there is!) - reg/rec, generator and battery as sure as eggs are eggs if one bit has gone the others will follow and you will end up replacing one bit more than once. Trust me, i know these things....:bang:

Also the reg/rec connections on EFI (reg/rec on right of subframe (can be moved from out in the open to under the seat, just don't thread the cables through the engine/frame as originally installed - got to help keeping the water out.

 

[ianrobbo1]

Cheers Andrew,I know where your coming from ref "change all three" :bang: can afford to do two of the three at the moment, but still looking at this "MOSFET" route, as it makes sense to turn off when not required, and as yet I've heard nothing about any failures, unlike the poxy reg rec that the bird runs with that's constantly on!!:dunno: the "ol git" is going to be getting a major order from me soon as the bike is coming indoors for the speedo, fog lights and one or two other things doing, like fixing the PC in a dry out of the way place!! will be looking for a 9volt connection for the PC on "that site" and here today!! so I can make sure I've got the correct starter map in it before I take it to get set up on a rolling road, once the bike's running properly that is!!:bang::bang:

 

[damientt]

Looks like I may have a problem. My SparkBright battery monitor is flashing red most of the time which seems to indicate my voltage is < 11.80.

Any suggestions as to what might be wrong? Is it my battery, regulator, both or something else? The battery seemed to struggle when starting the bike today.

 

[163phil]

I'd start with the reg/rec as being the most probable cause (put a meter across the battery with the engine running to discount the voltage monitor). If it was the battery you'd still be showing a charge going into it when running, but it wouldn't hold that charge (charge the battery fully on the bench and see if it's taking that charge)

fwiw my voltage monitor has been faultless for a long time now (can't remember when I fitted it!).@tu*

 

[ScottyUK]

Just thought I'd mention a product I saw at the bike show. It's £99 so if that's too much don't read on and don't moan .... but it does more than voltage.

http://www.healtech-electronics.com/products/mm5/

To summarise the product:
You wire it to ignition switched power
You can set it to display voltage for x seconds at ignition on
You can set voltage alarms
You can choose to/not display a battery level indicator
It also has an external temp probe
Lap timer/stop watch/etc etc

I might stick one on my GSXR as it has nothing of the above and laptimers add to the fun of trackdays :-0)

 

[ceoils]

ooo nice just up road from me too. might get one to try out on my 1200 red bird as always getting flat batteries... doing my head in number of times i have changed alt/rec/batteries. possibly also going for lion battery as well
nobby

 

[Centaur]

This is well worth a read, Ceoils.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcy...ai-vs-ballistic-li-ion-motorcycle-battery.htm

 

[ScottyUK]

Not sure if you can buy direct. The only listed UK retailer is :

http://www.bikersdiscountstore.co.u...-electronics/healtech-multimeter-5-pd-145.php

 

[ceoils]

already ordered mate thx.. its for my red one so need to play with entire charging system AGAIN ffs. picked up all my spares from pjs over weekend ready to fit. not sure if rec is a mosfet one or not, got it from jaws last summer as spares to carry on my french trip.
also on coffee shop asking about lion battery.