Want to install an Amp Gauge

OK, so it looks like I'm about to have all the electrical issues resolved on that @#$%^&!!! KZ650 (except for it's having eaten my newly rewound stator from Ricks with less than 500 miles on it, but that's another thread (with pics) after I find it from where I threw it out in the woods).

With all the electrical problems I've had, I've developed a severe toxic reaction to being left by the side of the road waiting for AAA, so I want to install an amp gauge. I've looked all over, but can't find anything. Has anyone done this? I'm looking for a guage and mounting ideas/hardware.

I'm thinking I want a small scale. I figure 10-12 amps, at most, right?

I want it lighted, and as small as possible, certainly not over 2 1/16".

Looking at the bike, I'm thinking the most logical place for the mount would be a cup mount utilizing the triple clamp bolts. Is there a better way, or a better spot?

wouldnt a voltage gauge do you more good?

When installing an ammeter on a bike,you'll be running some heavy gauge wire to the meter(unless you use a shunt)that will carry the total electrical load of the bike.

A shunt carries the majority of the current through it with some smaller wires(usually 16 gauge or so) going to the ammeter.

Another problem is finding an instrument that will be both water resistant and can withstand vibrations.

Auto meter might have something that would work. Try Summit Racing or your local hot rod shop for ideas.

Another thought would be to visit the off road specialty websites for ammeters that could work.

Here's what I mentioned about a shunt:
www.meterwarehouse.com/productview.asp?product=15985+ME It tells what type of meter should be used.

PLUMMEN wrote:

wouldnt a voltage gauge do you more good?

Well, as I understand it (and I don't understand much), the voltage gauge tells me where the battery is at, while an ammeter can help me identify charging or draw problems as soon as they develop.

I'd rather know when the problem develops, rather than when I'm essentially screwed.

Here's an article I found about it.

www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/ammeter.html

Also, while I don't understand any of it, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere you can wire an ammeter up two ways; one to show charge, or the other to show discharge. Does anyone know if that is correct?

MFolks wrote:

When installing an ammeter on a bike,you'll be running some heavy gauge wire to the meter(unless you use a shunt)that will carry the total electrical load of the bike.

A shunt carries the majority of the current through it with some smaller wires(usually 16 gauge or so) going to the ammeter.

Another problem is finding an instrument that will be both water resistant and can withstand vibrations.

Auto meter might have something that would work. Try Summit Racing or your local hot rod shop for ideas.

Another thought would be to visit the off road specialty websites for ammeters that could work.

Well, I found this:

www.aerostich.com/battery-voltage-monito...-system-monitor.html

It wouldn't be very precise, and it's a bit pricey, but it would definitely be vibration and weather resistant.

With as many elecrical problems as these old motorcycles have, and as frequently as the batteries go away, I'm surprised no one's making a dual sweep, weatherproof, combination volt/ammeter gauge. If someone is, I sure haven't seen it (yet).

EDIT: Well, they have a voltage meter, too, and recommend they be used together:

www.aerostich.com/battery-voltage-monitor-voltage-monitor.html

The two together, though, shipped, would be over a hundred bucks.

A series of LED's would be far more resistant to vibration than an instrument that had a jeweled movement with a needle indicator.

Bikes have many frequencies and magnitudes of vibration, finding a moving indicator that could withstand this environment and still be accurate would be quite a job.

This one is interesting, and cheap. It's basically an idiot light that only comes on when the bike isn't charging:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12volt-Charging-...&hash=item35aaf2a4b4

At 21.95, the price is right, and there's no ugly gauge hanging off your triple clamps. You could just drill a small, unobtrusive hole in the dash for the red LED.

My concern would be how to know whether the LED was not lit, indicating the bike was charging properly, or whether the LED was lit, indicating the LED was bad, or a wire had come loose.

The RED LED's are very hard to see in the daylight. Many years ago I had a LED wristwatch,to read the time out in the sun light I had to press the button on the side of the watch to turn on the display and then partially cover the watch face to read the digits.

What a pain that was if you were riding a bike and wanted to know the time. I'm glad LCD watches for the most part replaced LED watches.

What if you just wired in a cigarette lighter-style power receptacle and plugged in one of these?

www.midwayautosupply.com/showproduct.asp...24&affiliateid=10050

They're just 15 bucks, and a ton of people make them.

EDIT: OK, the more I look at it, the more I like it. here is a marine weatherproof, shock resistant power plug. Less tha 10 bucks:

www.amazon.com/Marine-Grade-Cigarette-Li...RC5Y/ref=pd_sim_sg_3

Mount that in the dash, then plug in the battery and charging monitor and go. if it craps out, buy another for 15-20 bucks.

This is too easy. What is wrong with this solution?

You'd be checking the battery voltage, not the current draw.Ammeters are wired in series, that is the total current goes through the meter. Voltmeters are wired in parallel with no current going through them.

Maybe Otakar or Loudhvx can explain it better for you than I can

Found this, not sure it would hold up in a bikes environment:
www.egauges.com/vdo_mult.asp?Series=Vision&Type=Ammeter