Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: TomJohnston on December 20, 2013, 03:02:01 pm
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I recently saw a picture of some model of Enfield with an Amp meter in place of the stupid Fuel-Engine Warning light assembly. Has anyone made an attempt at changing out this fiasco for a voltmeter, or anything else!? It seems if the two warning lights HAVE to be in the circuit, they could be mounted .....anywhere else as just indicator lights. A 2" voltmeter would sure look better and be an easy hook up.
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The ampmeter were standard on all of the older engines, especially the iron barrel. You needed it to help you kick start the bike. I think you could get one if you wanted one.
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You can get both ammeters and voltmeters that fit the socket, though they may be a bt harder to find in white face to match the C5 speedo if that's what you have. Just check with anyone who sells parts and accessories for REs, including our host. And you'll probably need to find another place to put your low fuel light and engine warning light.
Almost all cars used to have ammeters but as the charging systems got more reliable and the operators more detached they've passed into history.
Scott
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The fuel light isn't required. A lot of them don't work anyway.
But you might want to use an erasable magic marker for a trip meter!
Bare
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I keep forgetting that since mine still works. If it goes bad (again) I'm probably going to get a Sharpie instead of fixing it ;)
Scott
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I haven't seen a volt meter that would fit the hole but I'm sure they are available somewhere.
In the interest of returning the look back towards the past, here's a thought:
Replace the fuel/engine dial with a suitable volt meter that looks like the old ampmeter. I'd say use the old RE ampmeter but adding the needed wiring branch from the battery to the ampmeter and from the ampmeter to the ignition switch might be beyond some peoples ability. A volt meter could be attached to the headlight's gray "running light" lead like I did with my LED voltmeter. Then, just a simple ground wire connected from the new volt meter to any part of the frame would get it operating when the lights are turned on.
OK, so now the meter is in place but what to do with the other lights?
IMO, the fuel level light is worthless. Even if it worked on my bike (which it doesn't) I never liked it winking on and off when I still had a half tank of fuel so, it could either have its bulb removed or just let it dangle inside the casquette.
The engine light is important. Not only does it turn off after a successful ECU boot but if the bike develops sensor problems it's multiple blinks will tell you what's failed. Where to put it?
How about plugging it into the High Beam headlight socket that's located in the speedometer? I'm sure the flashing blue light wouldn't confuse anyone unless they were addicted to WalMart and couldn't resist the flashing blue light specials.
I seldom use my high beam except for flashing oncoming cars at major intersections but even if I did use it often, it's easy to just flick the left hand high beam switch a time or two to know which light is being used.
Anyway, it was just a thought. :)
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The wiring for an ammeter shouldn't be too bad. I think you need to break the line between the battery and the alternator. Forutunately, that's right at the voltage regulator which is right at the front of the bike near where the gauge would go. Still, a volt meter is easier to put in and basically gives you the same information if you know how to read it.
Scott
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ThankYou everybody for the excellent replies. When I take delivery of my new bike I intend to make that my first poject !! On the BMW's the "charging" light must work and be in-line for the engine to start....I thought that might be the case with these lights...Thanks again !!
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What would really please me on my RE is the addition of a trip meter on the speedometer. My two other old bikes have this and I know within a few miles when I will need to fill up with gas on those bikes. RE could add this, it would be a worthy improvement!
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What would really please me on my RE is the addition of a trip meter on the speedometer. My two other old bikes have this and I know within a few miles when I will need to fill up with gas on those bikes. RE could add this, it would be a worthy improvement!
+1
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On a trip I have the gps on the dash. Which has a tripmeter and a speedometer and an odometer; in fact it becomes the dash.
I would prefer less wires. ;)
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What would really please me on my RE is the addition of a trip meter on the speedometer. My two other old bikes have this and I know within a few miles when I will need to fill up with gas on those bikes. RE could add this, it would be a worthy improvement!
We old timers don't need no stinking trip meters thingys...I keep in mind when I fill up, and when it gets to be a couple of hundred miles later, I start looking for gas....Gadgets belong on Hondas...Just sayin,