Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
Battery and Voltage Monitor Battery and Voltage Monitor
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Dec 2012
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,344
Thumbs up Battery and Voltage Monitor
I have just fitted this clever little gadget called a monsoon10 and it works a treat.
Andrew makes them and he is very helpful
Just make sure your positive feed comes from a circuit which is turned off when the ignition is off.
Different colours tell you what your battery is up to and whether it is being charged.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
Good idea, I like it, will you buy me one for xmas
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Genghis9021's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 193
Excellent product
Have them on 4 bikes, though the 8mm size !

Wouldn't have saved me on my Shorai battery fail . . . but still excellent to know whether it's battery or charging circuit failure to nurse your ride home.

A new version should be out, soon.
__________________
Orange, it's the new black.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
I don't know if mine was made by the same people, but Monsoon wouldn't have been a very good name: It failed after about three weeks use in the wet.

The earth connection BTW needs to be perfect if you want to see it go green, best to run a cable all the way back to the battery.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
That looks very neat. I made a slightly simpler one about five or six years ago to keep an eye on the charging system on my CCM and it cost me about seven pounds for all the bits and an hour or so of soldering, so £10.90 for a ready made one seems not bad at all.

I'm not sure all the various flashing modes are all that helpful - mine just has steady red green and yellow for under, normal and overvoltage - but I suppose it only flashes when something has gone wrong so maybe that's when it's needed.

It's been useful - a couple of times wires have come loose and I've noticed the change in the leds in time to do something about it and it's also helpful if you're running stuff like heated jackets, extra lights etc as you can see from the colour change when you've pushed the alternator output to its limit.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hessen, Germany
Posts: 187
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
I have just fitted this clever little gadget called a monsoon10 and it works a treat.
Andrew makes them and he is very helpful
Just make sure your positive feed comes from a circuit which is turned off when the ignition is off.
Different colours tell you what your battery is up to and whether it is being charged.
This is one of the reasons why I hate being partly colorblind


Casper
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Dec 2012
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,344
Question
Quote:
Originally Posted by casperghst42 View Post
This is one of the reasons why I hate being partly colorblind


Casper
Casper- sorry to read about your problem- Just a thought
Maybe if you contacted Andrew he might be able to resolve this by perhaps swapping colour with number of flashes?
As in One flash every 'x' seconds for 'battery being charged'
Twin flash, 'battery needs charging'
Three for problems?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hessen, Germany
Posts: 187
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Casper- sorry to read about your problem- Just a thought
Maybe if you contacted Andrew he might be able to resolve this by perhaps swapping colour with number of flashes?
As in One flash every 'x' seconds for 'battery being charged'
Twin flash, 'battery needs charging'
Three for problems?
Bertrand, I've learned to live with it, but as more than 40% of the male population have this problem, I am amazed that vendors still use colors for these things.

I'll might contact them to see if they can use different color diods (red,yellow,green, blinke etc.), as that will make it easier for people like me.

Casper
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Question Separate lights.
Quote:
Originally Posted by casperghst42 View Post
I'll might contact them to see if they can use different color diodes (red,yellow,green, blinke etc.), as that will make it easier for people like me.
A configuration like they use for traffic lights - separate lights, where 'red' is always at the top, 'green' at the bottom would be better than the combined one light. Takes more room and harder to mount.

If you look at the original site you will see Sparkbright Nano that has a 'bar graph' display ... that I think would meet your needs? The separation from top to bottom is not much between individual LEDs but should be enough to 'see' a step of say 3 LEDs. Most likely a fault will only be really seen when it goes to the top or bottom anyway even by a colour sighted person, no one takes that frequent notice of their dash board, too busy with traffic and/or scenery.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tomahawk,Wisconsin
Posts: 223
This one went RTW on my KTM and continues to function 5 years later....


Signal Dynamics | Signal Dynamics Corporation 1-800-785-1814 | Motorcycle Safety Lights | Break Light Signal Module | Motorcycle LED Lighting | Signal Dynamics - Creator of BackOFF


bill
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 16 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 346
Why not just buy a voltmeter, its more informative.

0.56" 4.5-30V RED LED Waterproof Car Motorcycle Voltmeter Panel Meter 9V 12V 24V | eBay
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
KLE Not Charging LaCarretera Kawasaki Tech 17 3 Nov 2012 02:33
2002 XT600e starting woes - grrrrr fraserbyrne Yamaha Tech 26 17 Oct 2012 10:41
Looks like my '05 V-Strom battery died in Montañita... closest place to buy another? arooni South America 2 29 Sep 2012 23:51
DL650 Abs, problem starting pecha72 Suzuki Tech 8 31 Mar 2012 17:44
Underpowered battery bungle Light Overland Vehicle Tech 4 28 Nov 2011 20:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:13.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top