Datel Vlolt meter

[sliick2]

Friends, going to install a Datel meter in my '06A & was curious if the best power connection would be @ the battery ,or is there

another point on the left side of the bike that is as good.I will be useing the knock out in the left side black panel for the meter

mounting point. Also,with the bike @ 3000-3500 rpms what should the volt reading be ? Knowing that the charging system is not that great. Is there an aftermarket upgrade that has been proven by any of our members ? Thanks in advance, Sliick

 

[C&C]

While I don't have a Datel volt meter, I do have a volt meter installed. I have mine wired to the batter terminals and show, even at idle, around 14 volts plus or minus a tenth or two. Even at 3,000 rpms the voltage is going to remain the same or similar, it's just that the current will peak (though I believe peak current occurs closer to 5,000 rpms).

And the charging system is actually fine; only if you are using high draw accessories does the system come up a little short.

 

[radman]

I'd recommend Tolstoy, though Kurt Vonnegut has some good stuff too.

 

[SkooterG]

Go directly to the battery.

FJR's charging system is not all that bad on GenII FJRS. You have 100 more watts than GenI. As mentioned, you would have to run quite a bit of high power items to run into problems. There is no aftermarket stator upgrade available for GenII that I am aware of.

As already stated, voltage even at idle should be reading 14.0+V with no additional electrical accessories operating.

Here's some more info on Datel and mounting: Clicky HERE.

 

[user 6393]

all well and fine, but how does one get over the fear of cutting the hole in the tupperware? *LOL*

mine's still sitting in the packaging...I'm a chicken, I admit it.

:dribble:

 

[Capt. Bob]

After you get it mounted, this is what you (asked) need to know Sliik. Clicky

 

[brazos parker]

all well and fine, but how does one get over the fear of cutting the hole in the tupperware? *LOL*
mine's still sitting in the packaging...I'm a chicken, I admit it.

:dribble:

Mine sat on the shelf for a year for the same reason. In January, I decided I was going to "make it fit" in D panel between 2 Powerlet outlets. I "figgered" that a black D panel was cheaper that a blue cowling! I cut a small hole and enlarged it to Datel size w/ a file. It was slow going but I "got'er done." I mounted the on-off switch in C panel...only took 2 trys to get that one right but the "spare" hole is not very noticeable when filled w/ a rubber grommet.

I say "go for it."

 

[pinhead]

all well and fine, but how does one get over the fear of cutting the hole in the tupperware? *LOL*
mine's still sitting in the packaging...I'm a chicken, I admit it.

:dribble:

...I "figgered" that a black D panel was cheaper that a blue cowling! ...I say "go for it."

It fits, and it's a cheap piece of plastic to replace if you get it wrong the first time. I used a Dremel for the rough opening and finished with an razor blade.

 

[user 6393]

all well and fine, but how does one get over the fear of cutting the hole in the tupperware? *LOL*
mine's still sitting in the packaging...I'm a chicken, I admit it.

:dribble:

...I "figgered" that a black D panel was cheaper that a blue cowling! ...I say "go for it."

It fits, and it's a cheap piece of plastic to replace if you get it wrong the first time. I used a Dremel for the rough opening and finished with an razor blade.

now that's exactly where i was thinking of putting mine, but a bit angled...Kewl!

 

[Toecutter]

now that's exactly where i was thinking of putting mine, but a bit angled...Kewl!

Here's the ultimate place to stick it!

Personally, I just use my Escort 8500 as a voltmeter and, as long as it's reading higher than it does before I start the motor, I figure I'm golden. The other day, while aiming my Solteks at idle, it was pulled down to about 12.5V. Not good, for extended periods....

 

[user 6393]

now that's exactly where i was thinking of putting mine, but a bit angled...Kewl!

Here's the ultimate place to stick it!

Personally, I just use my Escort 8500 as a voltmeter and, as long as it's reading higher than it does before I start the motor, I figure I'm golden. The other day, while aiming my Solteks at idle, it was pulled down to about 12.5V. Not good, for extended periods....

That would make me nuts I think.

Kinda like when you get surprised by someone looking in the bathroom mirror at you when you're putting mascara on...ACK

 

[Toecutter]

That would make me nuts I think.

But if you need to monitor charging output, as with heated gear and big lights, it's best to have it easy to see while eyes-up. If you just want another display, it's not very important where it goes. YMMV

I believe the Datel-in-the-mirror got the coveted title of "Farkle of the year 2006"....

 

[pinhead]

Kinda like when you get surprised by someone looking in the bathroom mirror at you when you're putting mascara on...ACK

Ugh! I hate that!



[Edit...]

But if you need to monitor charging output, as with heated gear and big lights, it's best to have it easy to see while eyes-up.

That's good advice. I run Hella FF50's, heated jacket liner, heated gloves, and heated grips and constantly find myself looking down at the datel more that I should because, when it's all on, volts bounce between 13.2 and 13.4, depending on rpm's. And worse, I always seem to find myself doing that as I'm approaching an intersection or slowing for a town because I know the rpm's are dropping. That's a bad, bad, habit I'm trying to deal with quickly. :angry2:

 

[user 6393]

That would make me nuts I think.

But if you need to monitor charging output, as with heated gear and big lights, it's best to have it easy to see while eyes-up. If you just want another display, it's not very important where it goes. YMMV

I believe the Datel-in-the-mirror got the coveted title of "Farkle of the year 2006"....

I'm sure it was farkle of the year, the location just doesn't work for me. Different strokes I guess.

I'm short, so a quick glance down to that panel when I feel the need to check is no biggie for me. Less of a distraction than having that display in a mirror I use constantly.

 

[Patriot]

all well and fine, but how does one get over the fear of cutting the hole in the tupperware? *LOL*
mine's still sitting in the packaging...I'm a chicken, I admit it.

:dribble:

yep, same here for awhile

finally went to my "function over form" philosophy (see steibel horn thread) and did this

it's foam taped to the outside of the left upper panel just below the instruments

it's easily in my line of sight and just a eyeball movement glance away

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Capt. Bob]

I personally like the "bar buoy" myself. :dirol:

 

[sliick2]

While I don't have a Datel volt meter, I do have a volt meter installed. I have mine wired to the batter terminals and show, even at idle, around 14 volts plus or minus a tenth or two. Even at 3,000 rpms the voltage is going to remain the same or similar, it's just that the current will peak (though I believe peak current occurs closer to 5,000 rpms).
And the charging system is actually fine; only if you are using high draw accessories does the system come up a little short.

C&C, if you hook to the battery,isn't the meter on all the time ? Did you hook to a switched power source ? where did you find one? Thanks for your help. Sliick

 

[brazos parker]

While I don't have a Datel volt meter, I do have a volt meter installed. I have mine wired to the batter terminals and show, even at idle, around 14 volts plus or minus a tenth or two. Even at 3,000 rpms the voltage is going to remain the same or similar, it's just that the current will peak (though I believe peak current occurs closer to 5,000 rpms).
And the charging system is actually fine; only if you are using high draw accessories does the system come up a little short.

C&C, if you hook to the battery,isn't the meter on all the time ? Did you hook to a switched power source ? where did you find one? Thanks for your help. Sliick

I, like many others, put an on-off switch in-line w/ the Datel that is hooked directly to the battery. On-Off is my choice. But, IIRC, the meter only draws abt 8 mA so it takes a looooooong time to discharge the battery. I'm sure someone will come along and "'splain mo' better" than I.

 

[JimLor]

I ran mine thru my switched BlueSea. On a cool day, It'll read 14.2 at startup and go down to maybe 14 as it warms up. I don't think it would hurt to hook it directly to the battery and let it run forever, as long as you don't ride once every two years. That might run the battery down!