Got one of these today. It seems there's a 2 volt drop from the battery to the lighter. But it's an easy and convenient way to see if you're charging. I paid twice what you can get them for, $6 vs $3. Oh well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Car-Batt...11114852051%26

 

Check the voltage drop with a real voltmeter and see...

 

I did, the gadget is accurate. I haven't run the bike yet, tomorrow I'll be out and about, I'll see if it burns up.

 

It's the 15 or 20 connections in the orange wire between the battery and the volt meter. That's where your 2V is going (heat at each connection.) The important thing is to know the relative voltage you should be running at. If the meter says 12V and the battery is charging OK (see my diagnostic thread for more details there,) then you know that at normal operational voltage, the meter reads 12V. If it reads 10V on you one day, then you better check it out.

 

Never mind, the Doc`s got it covered.

 

Well, with the age and corrosion on the lighter socket, it might not be. I'll check the connections to the socket tomorrow. It's just a little toy to play with. I have a volt meter in the dash that's useless too. If it was right, I'd be killing the battery real quick.