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Temp Guage and stuff

  • Thread starter Thread starter cberkeley
  • Start date Start date
C

cberkeley

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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!
 
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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.
 
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...&Product_Code=14124&Category_Code=Electronics
It looks cool, lots of information, easy install and no hassles.
View attachment 1301
 
cberkeley said:
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...&Product_Code=14124&Category_Code=Electronics
It looks cool, lots of information, easy install and no hassles.
View attachment 1301
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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Where did you hook up the orange wire. I have a gs1100L And was thinking of ordering one myself.
Thanks
 
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.
 
fwwrcpg said:
Where did you hook up the orange wire. I have a gs1100L And was thinking of ordering one myself.
Thanks
Click to expand...
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.
 
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. :cry: 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.


.
 
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.
 
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.
 
So I take it stays on all the time?
Has anyone had a problem with it running the battery down?
 
Yup, display stays on all the time and that's ok, cause it's an LCD and draws very little current. The Switched (orange) circuit is for the Backlight (totally useless), top three Lights and the Low-voltage Warning Buzzer. These red, yellow and green indicators on the top edge are great. Green is on at 12.5 volts and over, yellow is on above 11.8 and the red is on once the orange wire has power. At voltages below 11.5, there is a beep to warn you. Never had a problem with it running down the battery. One of these days I am going to tear into that thing and fix the backlight with a couple of high intensity blue LEDs.
For about four years now I have had the plans for building a Vacuum-Forming machine, I think that is going to be my next shop project and the first thing I am going to vacuum-form is a clear cover for the voltmeter to protect it from those heavy downpours.
 
Thanks fpr the help. I will finish it up tonight and post a picture.
 
BTW Here's a pic of my bike now that she's all done. Shown in her "Touring Configuration":
cberkeley
 
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That looks great....you should post a pic taken at night, with the light show on :).

Tony.
 
Considering it's a 20-odd year old bike, that's absolutely amazing. I would definitely enter it in a show just to see how many people say "hey, look at that old CB750......WTH???"

What is that white bike you're on in the second pic? Looks like it says Shadow on the tank....new body option?
 
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