Battery/alternator warning light vs volt gauge

[bishes]

I'm trying to figure out a way to utilize a dummy light instead of a volt gauge. I have a gen4x and looking through the control pack wiring diagrams, I'm assuming the signal I'm looking for goes through the canbus vs a separate low voltage trigger. Ideally I'd like to have the light trigger at ~13v so I know if the alternator stops working. Has anyone successfully done this?

[edwardb]

There is a voltage value in the data stream. I just checked my tune files that have all the values. How to get that into a warning light is up to you. Above my pay grade. :rolleyes: Personally, I don't mind the voltage gauge. It's part of my scan as I'm driving (oil pressure, voltage, temp).

[Caddy Dad]

I'm trying to figure out a way to utilize a dummy light instead of a volt gauge. I have a gen4x and looking through the control pack wiring diagrams, I'm assuming the signal I'm looking for goes through the canbus vs a separate low voltage trigger. Ideally I'd like to have the light trigger at ~13v so I know if the alternator stops working. Has anyone successfully done this?

I installed one of these: https://www.ronfrancis.com/product/98

It's set to illuminate at about 11 +/- VDC I connected it to a red LED next to the FFR supplied voltmeter. Seems to work OK.

[bishes]

There is a voltage value in the data stream. I just checked my tune files that have all the values. How to get that into a warning light is up to you. Above my pay grade. :rolleyes: Personally, I don't mind the voltage gauge. It's part of my scan as I'm driving (oil pressure, voltage, temp).

Thanks for that info Paul, I'll have to do more research on using that data for my purpose.

[bishes]

I installed one of these: https://www.ronfrancis.com/product/98

It's set to illuminate at about 11 +/- VDC I connected it to a red LED next to the FFR supplied voltmeter. Seems to work OK.

I saw those too. To me 11v means the alternator has already been inop for a while and while later is better than never in the case of a warning light, I'd rather know much sooner than 11v.

[narly1]

https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/opamp/op-amp-comparator.html

Using a 741 op-amp and the fixed voltage divider reference source configuration, pick R1 and R2 such that the warning indicator comes on at a voltage of your choosing. If you want to drive a light bulb instead of a LED you'll need a switching transistor on the op-amp output. Even then this should only cost a few dollars in parts.

Earl

[bishes]

Thanks Earl, that might be the way I go!

[narly1]

No worries, my electronics design skills are a bit rusty, so it wouldn't hurt for others to chime in on my suggestion.

At the very least I'd breadboard it out and test it to make sure it works as desired.

Earl