Temp Guage and stuff

[cberkeley]

As you folk probably know, I just did a rebuild job on my engine. Needless to say she works sweet. Being a tech-type I would like to keep tabs on engine temperature. So, I just ordered this baby:

http://www.jpcycles.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PID=ZZ38450&cs=All

I intend machining an adaptor fitting that would go into the oil filter cover. Therefore, I would be essentially be measuring oil temperature. I believe this would be a good reference of overall engine temp as the oil is the lifeblood of the engine. This guage promised some nice features like a user programmable hi-temp setpoint, wherein temps over the setpoint triggers an alarm beep and the screen illumination changes green to red.
Will write my impressions when I get it all setup on the bike.
BTW the bike's all done now (yea right). Well all the stuff I wanted to do and got her looking the way I want.
Some of the stuff (no particular order):
Chrome grips and accessories, Mac Exhaust, Engine Overhaul, Xenon Headlamp, Snazzy paintjob, New Tires, New Bearings, Electrex Stator, Homebrew Adjustable R/R, Leather Toolbag, Homebrew Blue LED Running Lights, Leather Saddlebags, New Custom Upholstery, Voltage Monitor/Clock/Stopwatch, Dual Hi-Lo Horns (loud, sounds like a Cadillac), and other custom bits and pieces (custom machined aluminum fittings and such).
So, she's got two modes of dress: Boulevard Cruising and Touring ....will post some pics soon. My daughter wants us to show the bike at auto/bike events here ....maybe we will.
Ok, enough braggin' rights from this old fart!

[DimitriT]

Cletus,

I have an idea for a tech project (but I have no time and expertise). I'd like to run it by you.

I'd like to add a switch which will turn the gas gage into a voltmeter. I don't know how hard this is to do. The gas gage appears to be a simple ohmmeter with a range of around 30 to 70 ohms (I might be way off here I haven't checked in a while).

Is there some simple circuit which will turn a voltage into a resistance in that range? I guess I would also need a switch to flip between normal gas gage functioning and the voltmeter function.

I do appreciate your help!

-Dimitri.

[fwwrcpg]

Im interested is this also. Sounds like a great idea.
Thanks

[cberkeley]

Hmmmmm ....I have not really looked at the gas gage too closely (electrically), but just off the top of my head, I think, you would need an expnded scale type readout to be really useful (something that reads a limited scale say 11 to 16volts) so I'm thinking a zener diode and a couple of resistors and a toggle switch should do it. However, There's a really cool digital voltmeter, Clock, Stopwatch and Thermometer that's available for only $22.00 ...that's what I have and I highly recommend it.

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=14124&Category_Code=Electronics

It looks cool, lots of information, easy install and no hassles.

[DimitriT]

Hmmmmm ....I have not really looked at the gas gage too closely (electrically), but just off the top of my head, I think, you would need an expnded scale type readout to be really useful (something that reads a limited scale say 11 to 16volts) so I'm thinking a zener diode and a couple of resistors and a toggle switch should do it. However, There's a really cool digital voltmeter, Clock, Stopwatch and Thermometer that's available for only $22.00 ...that's what I have and I highly recommend it.

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=14124&Category_Code=Electronics

It looks cool, lots of information, easy install and no hassles.
[ATTACH]1301[/ATTACH]

Hey I like that unit. I think I will order one or at least put one on my Christmas wish list. I guess the reason I wanted to reuse the gas gauge is to keep the stock look but what you have there isn't too bad at all.

[cberkeley]

Mounts with sticky-backed velcro and that works fine. Three wires to connect
Black=Ground, Red=Constant 12V and Orange=Switched 12V
It's small so there's lots of mounting options. Other features too like Black Ice audible-warning and it logs the Highest and Lowest ambient Temperatures (resettable) sensed, low-voltage audible and visual alarm ....not bad for the price.

[fwwrcpg]

Where did you hook up the orange wire. I have a gs1100L And was thinking of ordering one myself.
Thanks

[cberkeley]

All wires were terminated inside the headlamp bucket. Some circuit probing is in order but you should be able to find Ground, +12Vconstant and +12vswitched in there, I believe I used the low beam power feed for the orange.

[cberkeley]

Where did you hook up the orange wire. I have a gs1100L And was thinking of ordering one myself.
Thanks

OK, the simple answer (I've been doing some work in the headlamp bucket so I verified it for ya) Orange from the voltmeter goes to Orange/Green in the headlamp bucket. This is key-switched +12v.

[fwwrcpg]

Thanks for the info. Ill let you know how it comes out.

[Steve]

I have one of those clock/volt/temp meters on my wife's 850 and on my son's 650. I mounted a flat panel across two of the handlebar clamp bolts, angled it slightly toward the rider, then Velcroed away. I ran my red and black wires to the ACC terminals in the fuse box and the orange wire to the tail light circuit. Almost looks like it belongs there.

Two comments about the meter, though.
1. It is NOT waterproof, or even mildly water resistant. I have sprayed both of mine with several coats of clear polyurethane to seal the displays. Works OK for mild stuff, have not had them in any toad-stanglers yet.
2. The backlight, in a word, sucks. Rather than use a constant-voltage divider to power the lights, the designers use a fraction of input voltage, so when you are idling, you will probably not be able to read the numbers.

The red, yellow and green indicators on the top edge are wonderful, though. Green is lit at 12.5 volts and above. The yellow is lit above 11.8, the red is lit all the time the orange wire has power. When voltage drops below 11.5, there is a very noticable beep to let you know.


.

[cberkeley]

Yup ...You pretty much nailed it.
I cut-off my auxilliary temp sensor as we'll never see snow here in Trinidad. I've been planning to vacuum form a thin, clear plastic cover that goes over the entire device to save it from those heavy down-pours ...but have not got around to it yet. As for the backlight ...well what backlight?? I'm planning to try and fix that too someday.

[fwwrcpg]

Well I got mine in yesterday went home and installed it looks great. But not sure it is working properly.
The unit stay on all the time. With or without the key on.
The top lights for the voltage do not appear to be working and absoulty no back light.

I ran the wires under the gas tank toward the battery.
The red wire is connected straght to the battery and the orange wire is connected to the fuel gauge wires coming out of the gas tank.
Ground is connected to the Fuel gauge ground as well.

I am planning on moving the red wire to the fuse box.

Is this unit on all the time? Or did I get a defective unit?

Also hooked up my running lights yesterday. They brighten up the highway.

[bonanzadave]

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m184/Bonanzadave/2003.jpg

I put a connector on mine and unplug it when Im parked. Was a great tool while fixing the R/R stator problem. :-D

[fwwrcpg]

So I take it stays on all the time?
Has anyone had a problem with it running the battery down?