Thinking of a new gadget...

[SportsterDoc]

Honda really could have squeezed in an ambient air temperature gauge. Many bikes of this caliber have them.

- - -

Never had need for voltage or engine temperature (not that the CB needs it). Maybe oil temperature though - not sure. In any case, when any of these parameters are strained, the rider feels it and knows something just isn't right.

Yes, my Moto Guzzi and I think my Triumph did and I appreciated having them.

As an electrican, I like voltage reads. Both ranch trailers have push button voltage gauges...lets me use extensive LED lighting, charge Ipad and phone(s) and sometimes radio, without concern.

[peterbaron]

PB.. it looks like this (page 2)

Thanks, love analog.

[Cormanus]

Honda really could have squeezed in an ambient air temperature gauge. Many bikes of this caliber have them.

- - -

Never had need for voltage or engine temperature (not that the CB needs it). Maybe oil temperature though - not sure. In any case, when any of these parameters are strained, the rider feels it and knows something just isn't right.

That would have been an excellent addition.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Honda really could have squeezed in an ambient air temperature gauge. Many bikes of this caliber have them.

- - -

Never had need for voltage or engine temperature (not that the CB needs it). Maybe oil temperature though - not sure. In any case, when any of these parameters are strained, the rider feels it and knows something just isn't right.

Yes, my Moto Guzzi and I think my Triumph did and I appreciated having them.

As an electrican, I like voltage reads. Both ranch trailers have push button voltage gauges...lets me use extensive LED lighting, charge Ipad and phone(s) and sometimes radio, without concern.

Understood. Maybe more useful would be overall current draw. But I reckon the battery/charging circuit voltage would sag if the battery was unhealthy.

[Csory_imp]

Ok, while still waiting for the parts started tinkering with the housing. Attached pictures show renderings of front and rear view. Front window will be made of acrylic or polycarbonate. Housing will be filled with electronic grade water-clear silicone to seal from the elements. Ambient light sensor will face downward, buried in silicone but close to the surface. Next step is to have it 3D printed (or print myself if I'm brave enough) to see how it fits.

[peterbaron]

keep us updated, NO pics = never happened
Csory, what part of Hungary are u from?

[SportsterDoc]

Honda really could have squeezed in an ambient air temperature gauge. Many bikes of this caliber have them.

- - -

Never had need for voltage or engine temperature (not that the CB needs it). Maybe oil temperature though - not sure. In any case, when any of these parameters are strained, the rider feels it and knows something just isn't right.

Yes, my Moto Guzzi and I think my Triumph did and I appreciated having them.

As an electrican, I like voltage reads. Both ranch trailers have push button voltage gauges...lets me use extensive LED lighting, charge Ipad and phone(s) and sometimes radio, without concern.

Understood. Maybe more useful would be overall current draw. But I reckon the battery/charging circuit voltage would sag if the battery was unhealthy.

Older cars (1950s) had ammeters...an indication of the charging system putting out more than was being drawn. Normal installation required heavy gauge wire, whereas voltage is light gauge wire.

An ammeter does not show an overcharge, such as when a diode fails in the regulator.

For running heavy added accessory load, an ammeter would be useful, but charging system voltage is easier (for me) to analyze.

See post one of this Sportster thread:
[url=http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?s=aee888f92e9f9b6737b6292bb3259a45&t=1784651]http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php...&t=1784651

[Houtman_imp]

Years ago I did put an amp meter on my 1975 Ducati 450 because of the low output ( I think it was about 40 watts ) Living in the UK at that time and no need for day time running lights it was just ok.
When I took the bike to the USA in 1985 I got stopped many times in Upstate NY for not having my lights on. There was no LED at that time but could have used it.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Honda really could have squeezed in an ambient air temperature gauge. Many bikes of this caliber have them.

- - -

Never had need for voltage or engine temperature (not that the CB needs it). Maybe oil temperature though - not sure. In any case, when any of these parameters are strained, the rider feels it and knows something just isn't right.

Yes, my Moto Guzzi and I think my Triumph did and I appreciated having them.

As an electrican, I like voltage reads. Both ranch trailers have push button voltage gauges...lets me use extensive LED lighting, charge Ipad and phone(s) and sometimes radio, without concern.

Understood. Maybe more useful would be overall current draw. But I reckon the battery/charging circuit voltage would sag if the battery was unhealthy.

Older cars (1950s) had ammeters...an indication of the charging system putting out more than was being drawn. Normal installation required heavy gauge wire, whereas voltage is light gauge wire.

An ammeter does not show an overcharge, such as when a diode fails in the regulator.

For running heavy added accessory load, an ammeter would be useful, but charging system voltage is easier (for me) to analyze.

See post one of this Sportster thread:
[url=http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?s=aee888f92e9f9b6737b6292bb3259a45&t=1784651]http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php...&t=1784651

Older cars (1950s) had ammeters...an indication of the charging system putting out more than was being drawn. Normal installation required heavy gauge wire, whereas voltage is light gauge wire.

An ammeter does not show an overcharge, such as when a diode fails in the regulator.

For running heavy added accessory load, an ammeter would be useful, but charging system voltage is easier (for me) to analyze.

See post one of this Sportster thread:
[url=http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?s=aee888f92e9f9b6737b6292bb3259a45&t=1784651]http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php...&t=1784651
Vintage vehicles had both amperage and voltage meters. Ammeters are definitely useful on critical branch circuits, especially in today's electronics heavy implementations. However, industry keeps cost down and user experience simple by using fuses. This helps prevent cabling fires, which voltage detection does not infer. In terms of the primary circuits, cable technology confidence can handle over-current situations to a point, unless the vehicle does not meet industry build standards (e.g. cheap gauge wires). Similarly, the voltmeter is absent from the majority of vehicles, replaced by a threshold indicator (e.g. the idiot light).

Today, a failed regulator can be detected electronically, so again, no need for any metering for the masses. In fact, all onboard component electronic devices may detect current and voltage independently and report only out-of-bounds events.

Nevertheless, a general meter indicating charging voltage will provide an early indicator of something suspicious with the primary circuit of the bike. With today's display technology, it could look quite cool to some.

[Csory_imp]

To have an ammeter does not necessarily mean having a shunt (heavy gauge wiring and fire hazard). Hall-effect or contactless meters could be used to get a ballpark figure (such as the CSLA1CD). I was considering this before but found it to be "information overload" on a 3-digit display. Maybe a character LCD, but then again, wanted something less intrusive...
Ok, just a quick update: printed in white ABS to check size and shape. On a second thought, I'd probably mount it flush with the metallic bezel (i.e. to be level with the Honda logo). Also, the final version will be printed in black ABS, epoxy-treated and painted matte black to get rid of the printing hairlines.