monitoring an airhead charging system

RocketMan · 01-10-2013, 04:02 AM

I have a 1975 R90/6 that I recently picked up and was wondering what is the best way of monitoring the changring system since I run heated gear in the winter. Would a volt meter or ammeter be the better method of monitoring the charge-discharge state of the charging system to help prevent the battery running down due to excessive draw when I crank up the heated gear? Its not so much a problem when I can keep the rev's above 4K, but if stuck in a lot of stop and go the charging system is probably falling shy of the draw, and having a gauge indicating dis-change to remind me to say, turn off the pants or otherwise reduce the draw when I'm not able to keep the rev's up at a more constant rate.

While I do plan of upgrading the charging system, that probably won't happen this winter so I need a way to monitor the current draw.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

RM

ignatz72 · 01-10-2013, 05:25 AM

Kisan makes a charging monitor, the CG-25, that has an Ammeter, Voltmeter, and Temp display. Pricey but great product. I have one on my 93GS.

https://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=5

You could also convert your turn signals and taillight to LEDs to save quite a bit of juice. Motoelekt.com makes the Beacon LED taillight for your bike and Kisan offers a great electronic flasher relay that supports LED turn signals. I think I saved close to an Amp at idle with my LED mods. Look for my "Airhead LED pr0n" thread in Airheads for info if you think you want to try this.

P.S. (You'll get more responses to Airhead questions in the "Airheads" subforum.)

retiredgentleman · 01-10-2013, 10:26 PM

A voltmeter will tell you everything you need to know about your electrical/charging system.

I agree with ignatz72.......................LED lights will save amps that are then available for other loads. Another amp savings is to use a lower wattage headlight.

Gimmeslack · 01-11-2013, 07:51 AM

I put one of these in my G/S dash:

http://signaldynamics.com/index.php/...id=44&vmcchk=1

Very inconspicuous (just a single multicolor LED) and it gives me a clear indication when I'm not in the 'charge' zone or if something was to go amiss with charging circuits.

01-10-2013, 04:02 AM	#1
RocketMan ^OP Out Rocketing Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Woodbridge VA Oddometer: 552	monitoring an airhead charging system I have a 1975 R90/6 that I recently picked up and was wondering what is the best way of monitoring the changring system since I run heated gear in the winter. Would a volt meter or ammeter be the better method of monitoring the charge-discharge state of the charging system to help prevent the battery running down due to excessive draw when I crank up the heated gear? Its not so much a problem when I can keep the rev's above 4K, but if stuck in a lot of stop and go the charging system is probably falling shy of the draw, and having a gauge indicating dis-change to remind me to say, turn off the pants or otherwise reduce the draw when I'm not able to keep the rev's up at a more constant rate. While I do plan of upgrading the charging system, that probably won't happen this winter so I need a way to monitor the current draw. Any thoughts? Thanks RM __________________ -------------------------- http://roadrunes.com -------------------------- "Live life to the fullest, cause buddy, once you're dead life ain't worth living" Nat King Cole "Never trust a user with your television overnight, Don't try to paint your masterpiece by artificial light." - The Pretenders Always DSTDJR-----Don't Sweat The Details---Just Ride!!!

01-10-2013, 05:25 AM	#2
ignatz72 call me iggy Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Mid-South, M-town Oddometer: 600	Kisan makes a charging monitor, the CG-25, that has an Ammeter, Voltmeter, and Temp display. Pricey but great product. I have one on my 93GS. https://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=5 You could also convert your turn signals and taillight to LEDs to save quite a bit of juice. Motoelekt.com makes the Beacon LED taillight for your bike and Kisan offers a great electronic flasher relay that supports LED turn signals. I think I saved close to an Amp at idle with my LED mods. Look for my "Airhead LED pr0n" thread in Airheads for info if you think you want to try this. P.S. (You'll get more responses to Airhead questions in the "Airheads" subforum.) __________________ Current: 93 R100GS, 04 XR650L Prior: 73 CB350, 77 R100/7, 83 R100RT I love every motorcycle I've owned and even some that I haven't. ignatz72 screwed with this post 01-10-2013 at 07:17 AM

01-11-2013, 07:51 AM	#4
Gimmeslack furthur Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Oddometer: 2,428	I put one of these in my G/S dash: http://signaldynamics.com/index.php/...id=44&vmcchk=1 Very inconspicuous (just a single multicolor LED) and it gives me a clear indication when I'm not in the 'charge' zone or if something was to go amiss with charging circuits. __________________ *"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you cannot learn any other way."* Twain

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01-10-2013, 10:26 PM	#3
retiredgentleman Adventurer Joined: Jul 2011 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Oddometer: 88	A voltmeter will tell you everything you need to know about your electrical/charging system. I agree with ignatz72.......................LED lights will save amps that are then available for other loads. Another amp savings is to use a lower wattage headlight.