Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: exvalvesetdabbler on July 18, 2025, 03:07:18 PM

Title: 400 Four Daylight running lamp and volt meter installed
Post by: exvalvesetdabbler on July 18, 2025, 03:07:18 PM
Been putting the needed bits together to set this up in between other jobs and finally got around to opening up the spaghetti bowl behind the headlight and add the additional wiring. No mods or butchering to the existing wiring loom so can easily be undone/unplugged later if desired.  I salvaged the connectors and wires from some old switchgear to make the adapters together with some adhesive lined heat shrink over any soldered connections. If this meter works and proves useful, I will make a more stylish housing and bracket for it.  It is currently fed from a 3A inline fuse connected to switched live which also feeds the lamp.

Next stage is to see how stable the readings are going down the road.

A temporary bracket to hold the volt meter.
[attachimg=1]

Here is the result - led bulb installed in the position light socket.  The bulb installed at the moment has 2 led chips, if this needs to be brighter it can easily be swapped for a BA9S having a cob or 4 led chips.

Ignition switch on park - front and back both on
Ignition switch on run - front only on
Headlight switch operates as normal.
 
https://youtube.com/shorts/MkRIs8QDZWw?feature=share


Regards
Dave
Title: Re: 400 Four Daylight running lamp and volt meter installed
Post by: Skoti on July 18, 2025, 07:03:30 PM
Just a suggestion,
if you fancy a more compact voltmeter here's some photos of a Daytona meter fitted to my F1.

Please click here for a link to Google photo album:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GQUC6TZKV9SkJBCh9 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/GQUC6TZKV9SkJBCh9)

 
Title: Re: 400 Four Daylight running lamp and volt meter installed
Post by: exvalvesetdabbler on July 18, 2025, 07:23:11 PM
Thanks, I'm just exploring options and soaking up ideas at the moment. I had thought about installing an even smaller version inside the tacho but that's not a 10 minute job.

The console is due for refurb this winter, swap out  gages , bases and idiot light module so hopefully will have better access to play around with mounting options.
Regarding the bracket I was hoping to make it less visible and more like something Honda should have installed in the first place. Main aim at the moment is to monitor the charging before splashing out on a new battery next spring.

What I don't know is how these voltmeters ( about £3 from AliExpress) behave with what is a electrically noisy supply due to the mechanical voltage regulator.

Regards
Dave

Title: Re: 400 Four Daylight running lamp and volt meter installed
Post by: Athame57 on July 18, 2025, 08:01:24 PM
I think this is just too complex for me. :o I've settled for converting by fitting a new halogen headlight, that'll be me!  ;)
Title: Re: 400 Four Daylight running lamp and volt meter installed
Post by: exvalvesetdabbler on July 19, 2025, 06:25:49 PM
Back in the day, a cibe headlight was the trendy upgrade, and they had a concave glass.  Also remember a few folk having flat batteries if they rode around town posing all weekend.

Have one kicking around somewhere but never had the urge to fit it since I rarely venture out down country lanes after dark.

Same era as dagger collars, shoulder length hair and bell bottoms😄


Regards
Dave
Title: Re: 400 Four Daylight running lamp and volt meter installed
Post by: Athame57 on July 19, 2025, 07:43:47 PM

Have one kicking around somewhere but never had the urge to fit it since I rarely venture out down country lanes after dark.
Being mostly an urban rider these days ( and nights) my headlights principle function is to be seen rather than see.  ;)  About a third on London's cyclists don't understand that and ride unlit!  :o