auto gauges

[winkel02]

howdy

for novelty value i am putting a voltmeter on my bike. good to keep an eye on what it's doing and gives me a chance to fiddle.

anyway, was just wondering if anyone had any input about using normal cheap auto gauges on a bike (ie. exposed to the elements)? should i be getting a sealant of some sort just to run round the gauge and fill all the holes so it stays protected? i know people have mounted gauges in proper dashes, in large fairings, but my bike is largely naked.

on the same note, does anybody have their best method of joining wires - ie. to fit this gauge, im gonna have to tap into 12V wire that turns on with the key and a 12V wire that activates with the lights (so backlight of gauge comes on with my lights)...i want to make this as good as i can, but not having much electrical experience i simply dont know the common methods.

for example, to join the gauge to an existing 12V wire, do i cut the existing wire and solder all 3 ends together? and protect the connection with what?

cheers for the help

Winkel

[LoserShoes]

Can you solder well? And do you want it permenent? If so strip an inch or so of insulation off the wire you want to tap into, without cutting it, ie just remove the insulation from around the wire. Then strip an inch or so from the end of the other wire, neatly wrap that around the section of bare wire and solder. Wrap with electrical tape, or if its close to a ring terminal or something you can slide a piece of heat shrink down to it.

Steve

[Pat Kelly]

Do a search of the forum for "voltmeters". Someone put on on their bike that was an LED 'strip'. Very small and clean looking.
I searched a bit but couldn't find the post with the photo (I'm at work).

[DiverRay]

The Voltmeter works off the "key on" side of the 12 volt supply. You can use a "small" 18 guage wire for the positive side, and just ground to the frame for running the meter. I would try to connect both the meter and the light inside the headlight bucket. You should be able to buy the bullet connectors that allow you to "split" the power, and it won't require soldering. It also makes it easy to replace or trouble shoot any problems.
Ray

[John]

There is a blue wire that comes from the ignition switch that powers up the gauge lights, and if I'm not mistaken, there is a blue wire with an unused connector already in the headlight bucket. It is probably for use with a fairing, but there is no reason why you couldn't use that circuit for all of the needs with the gauges. Or at least that's how it is on an SG.

[BLUEJEEPLAB]

Check with your local Auto Speed shop, they may have a "cup" to fit the guage you select. This is like the back of a bolt on Auto Tach and with a little silicon on assembly, the cup will be weather proof, and it provides a "leg" for mounting where ever you choose.