Topic: Has anyone ever done a 'Charging Light' circuit for the SOHC hondas?

[lrutt]

Like some old cars or the brit bikes. They had a light that would light up when the charging system output was basically less than the battery output. Routinely would glow at idle or definately would light up when the key is first turned on. When running though the light would go out.

Just curious.

[70CB750]

Old Jawa/CZ had ampermeter as part of the dash:



but there are aftermarket add ons LED based indicator lights, I think Aerostitch has them too.

[70CB750]

Like this:

[Flyin900]

There are lots of 12-24V DC 3 digit readout meters from China that I have incorporated into the electrical system that give you a running and static readout of your electrical system.

Very reliable and cheap to buy and free shipping. Schumacher also makes a small one in the same style as the Chinese ones, although in the $30 range to buy.

[lrutt]

looking for just a single light. I"m planning my 550 build and want to keep the little handlebar clamp light array but want to make one of them a charging indicator. So I just need something that can drive a light. I plan on using an actual oil pressure gauge so could possibly appropriate the oil pressure light for a charge indicator.

I like they way they work on my brit bikes and my MG.

I can find a lot of the LED readouts etc. but that is too 'new school' for this build.

Other option might be an analog volt meter in the headlight shell, kind of like the old ammeters in the headlights of the brit bikes. if I do that, I might move the other idiot lights to the headlight shell as well.

Just working through some options in my head right now.

[Steve_K]

A friend has a volt meter on his Iron Butt bike, he has driving lights that draw use a lot of power.  The volt meter helps monitor the battery.  It is about credit card size, not a light.  I put an amp meter on my 550 in the 70's,  but today I would just use a voltmeter, much easier to install.
Steve

[flybox1]

you're going to want one of these.
a tri-color LED that changes color/flash depending on voltage reading...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6v-12v-24v-LED-Battery-level-voltage-monitor-meter-J-/200627678428

[Muckinfuss]

volts or amps?.....they tell you different things and one is not a substitute for the other. 

[lrutt]

volts or amps?.....they tell you different things and one is not a substitute for the other. 

Understand that, doesn't really matter to me, just an indicator of some sort.  Like that LED option. Thanks

[madmtnmotors]

Like that LED option.

+1

I ordered two! Has six different modes, one of which leaves the LED "off" when within acceptable voltage range. Only comes on when voltage is low or high.

[scottly]

If you use a Ford regulator, the "I" terminal drives an indicator light.

[Toxic]

Thanks Flybox, bought two of those

[RevDoc]

Thanks for sharing, Flybox! Looks like a great idea. I also ordered one for each bike.