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Cheap voltmeter

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ThunderGuts
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Joined: 13 Nov 2018
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PostPosted: 10:05 - 09 Sep 2019    Post subject: Cheap voltmeter Reply with quote

Can anyone recommend one? I want to have one permanently attached to my ER5 to keep an eye on the reg/rec condition. Amazon/eBay are awash with them but I suspect most are junk?!

Just wondering if anyone has experience with one they found to be reliable and fairly accurate?

Cheers
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dynax
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 06 May 2019
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PostPosted: 10:27 - 09 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought 2 like these, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-DC-Car-Motorcycle-Digital-Display-Voltmeter-Volt-Gauge-Meter-12V-24V-Great/392191212550?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D57923%26meid%3D10c6ae0e4b66496f9a28db91995b6698%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D233284646879%26itm%3D392191212550%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851


https://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/download/file.php?id=26829

https://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/download/file.php?id=26847
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Last edited by dynax on 10:53 - 11 Sep 2019; edited 1 time in total
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A100man
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Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 11:43 - 09 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

dynax wrote:


Did they work? Apparently they can..

'Timely grasp the state of battery voltage,'

who knew?!
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Polarbear
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Joined: 24 Feb 2007
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PostPosted: 12:12 - 09 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've fitted many similar to boats and they have all worked fine. Only replaced one that I can think of due to failure.

At that price it's a no brainer if you think you might have issues..
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stinkwheel
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 12:30 - 09 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had one like this on my VFR for 6 years now, Still working fine. In fact, I noticed at the weekend that my battery resting voltage is dropping a bit. This thread just reminded me to bung it on the trickle charger when I get home tonight.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-0-36-3-Digital-LED-Display-Voltage-Meter-Voltmeter-DC-3-2-30V-Yellow-Volt/253181643042?hash=item3af2cd4922:g:TZwAAOSwoVNaAvTZ

I epoxied it in place in the fusebox cover (which is visible from the riding position on my bike) and used the epoxy to "pot" the back of it too so it's waterproof.

Handy like that because I can take the lid off, undo the two bullet terminals I attached it with and use it for diagnostics on someone elses bike when they have a breakdown. Done this a couple of times now.
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bugeye_bob
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Joined: 05 Sep 2013
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PostPosted: 13:40 - 09 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

We use these.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-LED-Battery-Voltmeter-Charge-monitor-Indicator-Alternator-warning-light-lamp-/201338527109?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10
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Falco
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Joined: 27 Nov 2015
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PostPosted: 15:03 - 10 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have one built into a charging port thingy. Not sure about reliability (it's only been in week or so) but in terms of accuracy its generally within 0.1-0.3V of the value a proper voltmeter on the battery itself, which is fine just to for keeping an eye on things.
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Kawasaki Jimbo
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Joined: 09 Oct 2015
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PostPosted: 19:02 - 10 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

bugeye_bob wrote:

I fitted a similar one to my R1 after fixing a charging fault but I found it too distracting. Symptoms of under-charging will manifest themselves before they leave you stranded, you just need to recognise them. Poor starting, battery unexpectedly in need of mains-charging. I'm less sure of over-charging fore-warnings but a reg/rec burning smell might be one. In short, I don't think you need one and I like the minimalist aspect of bikes. I'm not a fan of modes'n'sh!t either.
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WD Forte
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Joined: 17 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 14:22 - 17 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just got one of the ones Dynax mentions
and comparing it to one of my meters, it looks pretty accurate for bike use

https://imgur.com/guYnbZk.jpg
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STONEY!
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 14 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: 18:22 - 17 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

5 of us went on a 5500 mile trip around europe on cb500's knowing that they are common for reg/rec failures we bought these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-4-5V-30V-LED-Digital-Display-Voltmeter-Voltage-Gauge-Panel-Meter-For-Car/382801348018?hash=item5920bd05b2:m:momI_UtUcRZXpbry0bU16ow

did the trick fine and survived a torrential rain storm, one bike did have a reg/rec failure and this alerted us to it before it did any damage so well worth the 99p!
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evilzed
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Joined: 05 Oct 2013
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PostPosted: 19:16 - 19 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I fitted this on my bike the other week, it's a naked so no fairings to mount the other styles easily and I needed some USB ports for charging

https://tinyurl.com/y2adrpf9
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WD Forte
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Joined: 17 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 21:26 - 19 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

They're quite nifty these things and cheap too.
I have a twin usb and voltmeter type installed in a blank switch
plate on my cars centre console.
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