Skip to main content
English French German Italian Spanish

charging warning indicator

Forums

I am thinking of installing some form of  device to one of my 12v alternator bikes. It needs to be small as there is little room in the 130 mm headlamp shell and no space on the bars . I only have access to the ignition switch and earth in the shell (no charging circuit ) . I am not able to determine the size of intrusion into the shell from the AO site info. I do have an existing  unused idiot light in the shell left over after conversion to 12v . No idea what this did .  Its not a Norton  !!. Any helpfull info ?

Permalink

I use the ‘standard’ charge warning light from Improving Classic Motorcycles have a look:

https://www.improvingclassicmotorcycles.com/products.htm

 

The reason I choose these over others available is because these allow me to retain the original warning lamp (important on bikes like the MK3 Commando with its little instrument panel)

The unit is around the size of a postage stamp, so very easy to hide inside the headlamp shell.

 

 

Permalink

Thats very helpfull Grant,  lots of info,  Seems like I only need to specify positive earth and fit some resistor plugs or resistor caps ( it will be caps as I dont trust modern plugs at all ( we all have a bee in bonnet somewhere ! ).

Permalink

Why do you need to fit resistor plug caps when you are asking about a charge indicator?

As regards charge indicators, the original Assimilator from Lucas in the 70s is renowned for being a disaster. The reason being it switches to Earth as part of its function which as happens does go wrong and this will damage most regulator/rectifiers. The AO BSM does not have dimensions as to what is inside the headlamp but AO does sell a LVWD (Low charge) device which will switch the traditional headlamp warning lamp off with a rising battery voltage. (obtained from the ignition circuit)

Permalink

I have fitted a combined oil pressure/ charge warning light from ‘Improving Classic Motorcycles’. It’s very small and easy to fit - very happy with it.

Regards

Tony

Permalink

So if we have a combined light-fine. But we must have two sensors, oil pressure and charging. Please tell me more? Somewhere on the Commando you must be fitting an oil warning sensor, what and where?

Permalink

Hi Al. Sorry to have caused some confusion - what I should have added is that the combined oil pressure/ charge warning light is fitted to a Dommie 99. I’ve got a later timing cover that has an external port for the rocker oil feed. My oil feed uses a 3-start pump with the rocker oil taken from the oil tank return banjo. That means the port from the timing cover is ‘spare’ so I can fit the oil pressure sender to the timing cover.

Regards

Tony

Permalink

Hi Alan, The  electronics of the  charge indicators recommended above cannot cope with the interfearnce from non resistor systems.

Permalink

Morming,

Try Paul Goff, I have several of these, brilliant. Works on 6-12 volt, "Battery Status Monitor (BSM)"

http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyelectrex.htm 

Enjoy.

Best wishes

Steve

Permalink

The Battery Status Monitor was conceived and named by me in the 1990s I even still sell it. Nominally it is a 12V device. If you want it to work on 6V then that has to be specified on purchase.

 


Norton Owners Club Website by 2Toucans