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Post by walleye1963 on Nov 28, 2014 22:51:15 GMT -5
Hi guts I was thinking about getting one of them small battery indicators for my taotao 150 .has anyone ever used one? Your thoughts please.thank you .
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 29, 2014 7:47:11 GMT -5
If it's just a low batt indicator (aka idiot light) then I wouldn't bother. A voltmeter would be nice though. I have a voltmeter that plugs into the 12V outlet/cigarette lighter that I added to my TaoTao and I like being able to see that the scooter is charging. It's another way to keep you aware of potential problems and they usually aren't too expensive. Absolutely not essential, but a good addition IMO.
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Post by walleye1963 on Nov 29, 2014 10:52:43 GMT -5
Could you please put up a link as to were I could get one thank you.
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Post by scooterpimp on Nov 29, 2014 10:58:15 GMT -5
" Almost "Any 12 volt charge/ battery indicator should do fine.make sure its wired to keyswitch on power so it wont cause draw.when key is off.
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Post by walleye1963 on Nov 29, 2014 11:35:48 GMT -5
Cool thanks.
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 29, 2014 12:50:22 GMT -5
If you want what I have you need a 12V outlet/cigarette lighter first. That'll make it more money than just buying a voltmeter, but then you have the 12V outlet if needed... 12V impact, 12V tire pump, phone/GPS, etc... I use THIS ONE. I use a Stinger voltmeter with a built in USB port for charging the GPS ( LIKE THIS), but I'm sure you can find cheaper ones. There are really cheap options if you just want a gauge without the 12V outlet. EXAMPLE
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Post by scooterpimp on Nov 29, 2014 14:53:42 GMT -5
Yea they do have those cig lighter type charging system testers @ harbour freight.
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Post by Elektrey on Nov 29, 2014 15:05:32 GMT -5
Can't you just strip the cig lighter connector off and crimp the wires onto a ground and a ignition hot wire?
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Post by scooterpimp on Nov 29, 2014 15:11:48 GMT -5
Can't you just strip the cig lighter connector off and crimp the wires onto a ground and a ignition hot wire? Yes
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 29, 2014 15:12:48 GMT -5
It's just a pos and neg connection to the 12V outlet. Either connect to ignition switched power or if you have some need for the 12V outlet to remain on with the scooter off it can be wired to the battery pos with an inline fuse. Most should use the ign switched wiring. I only used full time power on a scoot when I had GPS and GoPros plugged in so it wouldn't shut anything down if I turned the key off to refuel or something. Voltmeter is the same thing if you use a hard-wired one, just two connections. In that case you don't want it on full time so it should be wired into ign switched power as scooterpimp said.
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Post by walleye1963 on Nov 29, 2014 19:09:49 GMT -5
Thanks I really don't need the one with the USB port don't have nothing to charge .I think I'll get the cheap one .instead of hooking it to the key to turn it on and off can I just put a on /off switch say under the seat.do you think it would draw to much if I forget to turn it off once in a while?thanks for the input guys.
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 29, 2014 19:18:52 GMT -5
You could hook it to a switch if you want, but finding ignition switched input would probably take less time/effort than mounting a switch under the seat. Red/white is a very common color for ign switched power, although it varies and other wires may also carry ign switched 12V+. If you have a multimeter or a test light it's easy to check. Just hook up whichever with one lead to ground and the other to the wire you wanna check. If the test light lights or the multimeter shows battery power then you have power there. Then you need to make sure it goes on and off when you turn the key on or off. You can even make a test light out of some sort of 12V accessory like a light bulb if you don't have anything around or something that will react with 12V+ so you can tell it's present. If you get the gauge then that could work as the test light just connecting it's leads and seeing when you get power.
I would assume the draw from a little gauge like that is minimal. Prob similar to a clock. Would only do much when sitting for quite a while. Don't know for sure though and it's safer and just as easy to use ign power.
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Post by scooterpimp on Nov 29, 2014 19:19:42 GMT -5
Thanks I really don't need the one with the USB port don't have nothshouldn't charge .I think I'll get the cheap one .instead of hooking it to the key to turn it on and off can I just put a on /off switch say under the seat.do you think it would draw to much if I forget to turn it off once in a while?thanks for the input guys. You could use a lighted switch to remind you to turn it off if connecting it direct? If using std. Cig recepticle it shouldnt draw if nothings left plugged in it
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Post by niz76 on Nov 29, 2014 19:48:32 GMT -5
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Post by walleye1963 on Nov 29, 2014 19:58:31 GMT -5
OK I tried to take the ign out when I got my scoot like you did on your pdi vids put I couldt get it out all I did was scratch it up my be I can gget to it from under the hood. Thsats way I was wondering about puting a switch under the seat .but if I can get to it from the hood I'll just hook it to the ign thanks
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