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Volt meter project
exvalvesetdabbler:
I have been thinking about adding a volt meter for a while now and have sorted out the wiring and done a temporary lash up just to see how useful it will be.
There is lots of stuff out there, either too big or don't match the styling of the other instruments or just plain tacky. The off the shelf volt meter I tried had an orange display and is not easy to see in bright sunlight. Based on previous experience blue should be better.
Here was the temporary setup.
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,32075.msg311762.html#msg311762
I have had a play around with a 0.28 inch led volt meter which was the smallest I could find, and been trying out different contrast filters and housing. Currently prototyping with black plastic before moving on to aluminium. The objective here is to find the smallest aperture that doesn't obscure the display. This one is 23mm.
Bare module
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Prototype housing
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The contrast filter is a disc cut from some 3mm grey tinted perspex. I do have some blue tint to try as well.
This will be a slow burning project as and when time permits.
Regards
Dave
K2-K6:
I find a voltmeter quite useful and routinely use them in cars, type that plug in cigarette lighter (although those are disappearing too) as it just gives instant status of charging etc.
Yes, orange and red led can almost be completely obliterated in bright direct sun light.
A friend made a mimick of Suzuki GT 750 water temp gauge housing (when 750 F2 Honda was contemporary) to mount a clock. Effectively recessed into a black tube with a turned rear aluminium plate, a smaller version of the existing Honda clock rear chrome disc, looking very "factory " original when complete.
You could mount the DVM recessed in that fashion, if would also shield it from extraneous light in that way, like those deep set traffic light shroud.
exvalvesetdabbler:
Mounting is the tricky bit. Currently split between a stainless bracket coming off the two bolts that hold the bowls for the gauges and the voltmeter sitting just forward of the idiot light console or mounting off the handle bar bolt, but the bending might to complicated to ensure that its bezel sits no higher than the existing gages. Plan is to paint the upper part same as the gauges with the exposed mounting bracket looking like the crimp ring on the gages and a profiled bottom piece in stainless to match the bowls the best I can. Talent may run out but I feel the need to try.
Regards
Dave
exvalvesetdabbler:
Made a start on machining up the housing for the voltmeter from a piece of aluminum round bar. Big waste of time that was, the piece of round bar had a crack running through it like Brighton rock. Waiting to see what the fleabay seller has to say. Dangers of buying offcuts on auction sites I guess.
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While waiting for that issue to be resolved I made a start on mounting bracket version 1 this morning , using CAD - cardboard aided design and a piece of scrap 2mm aluminum sheet.
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What I am trying to achieve is to have the volt meter angled the same as the clocks and the bezel height about the same.
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Just need to work out what height the clock body needs to be now. I was originally going to make the bracket out of stainless but something painted satin black might blend into the surroundings better, and aluminum is a lot easier to bend and drill. Just needs a good rub down to remove a few scuffs before painting.
Regards
Dave
exvalvesetdabbler:
Finally gat around to machining the main body this morning after receiving some replacement aluminium.
I had to use a file and emery cloth to smooth out the curves a bit. Inside is stepped to accommodate the contrast filter, module and the termination board.
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Regards
Dave
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