Fixing a Temperature meter/gauge/monitor for bikes that do not come with it (Eg: S4)

[exige]

Hi all,

Not sure if someone has asked this before or not, but I cant seem to find any info on this:

 

Where can we fix a temperature gauge/meter for bikes that do not come with it? Eg: Super Four, etc.

 

I know that for bikes without the temperature gauge, there is usually a warning light if the engine is overheating. But I am looking at installing a temperature gauge so that I can monitor the engine's temperature for long distance riding at high speed, etc.

Any ideas on where I can fix it, and the costs?

 

arigato!

[Iceachilles]

Hi all,

Not sure if someone has asked this before or not, but I cant seem to find any info on this:

 

Where can we fix a temperature gauge/meter for bikes that do not come with it? Eg: Super Four, etc.

 

I know that for bikes without the temperature gauge, there is usually a warning light if the engine is overheating. But I am looking at installing a temperature gauge so that I can monitor the engine's temperature for long distance riding at high speed, etc.

Any ideas on where I can fix it, and the costs?

 

arigato!

 

I am interested to know too

[at0m87]

exige thanks for tagging!

[exige]

at0m87, Iceachilles,

No problem!

Lets hope we can find some answers together from here

[ldslds]

Count me in!!!! =p

[IvikaRazI]

Got one device that can measure that and more...Digitally....I know MW has it.

 

http://www.acv.co.jp/01_product/active_digitalmonitor/ph7.jpg

 

http://www.acv.co.jp/01_product/active_digitalmonitor/ph8.jpg

 

http://www.acv.co.jp/01_product/active_digitalmonitor/ph6.jpg

 

OR ...Cheaper alternative...Temperature sticker. I still got a few left when I bought it over in US.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B001PNQGEK/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotivehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B001PNQGEK/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotivehttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AFCr-WLoL._SS500_.jpg

Edited September 15, 2010 by IvikaRazI

[Demon]

Hi all,

Not sure if someone has asked this before or not, but I cant seem to find any info on this:

 

Where can we fix a temperature gauge/meter for bikes that do not come with it? Eg: Super Four, etc.

 

I know that for bikes without the temperature gauge, there is usually a warning light if the engine is overheating. But I am looking at installing a temperature gauge so that I can monitor the engine's temperature for long distance riding at high speed, etc.

Any ideas on where I can fix it, and the costs?

 

arigato!

 

you can probably modify a digital temperature meter to read off the temperature from the bike. It will not be difficult but it will test your DIY skill and squeeze your brain juice.

 

An easier method and also not too expensive is to get the get the Trailtech Vapor Meter.

http://trailtech.net/adventure_vapor_kits.html

 

It comes standard with a temperature kit for water-cool bikes. It will involve cutting your radiator hose, and insert a T-joint in which the sensor is located, and wire in to the meter, you will have temperature reading on the Vapor meter. You can also set the upper temperature reading so that it will warn you when it reaches that level.

 

For air-cool bikes, there are other temperature sensor kits but these must be bought separately. There is kit to tap temperature from the spark plugs, from the engine oil, etc.

 

[exige]

Count me in!!!! =p

 

Tagged! ;-)

[exige]

Got one device that can measure that and more...Digitally....I know MW has it.

 

OR ...Cheaper alternative...Temperature sticker. I still got a few left when I bought it over in US.

 

 

Thanks IvikaRazI~

Do you remember how much will it cost? This digital meter looks neat. I shall go MW check it out one of the days.

 

For the temperature sticker, where do you stick it on? The side of the radiator?

Reminds me of a similar type of sticker I used to stick on my fish tank.

[exige]

you can probably modify a digital temperature meter to read off the temperature from the bike. It will not be difficult but it will test your DIY skill and squeeze your brain juice.

 

An easier method and also not too expensive is to get the get the Trailtech Vapor Meter.

http://trailtech.net/adventure_vapor_kits.html

 

It comes standard with a temperature kit for water-cool bikes. It will involve cutting your radiator hose, and insert a T-joint in which the sensor is located, and wire in to the meter, you will have temperature reading on the Vapor meter. You can also set the upper temperature reading so that it will warn you when it reaches that level.

 

For air-cool bikes, there are other temperature sensor kits but these must be bought separately. There is kit to tap temperature from the spark plugs, from the engine oil, etc.

 

 

Thanks Demon for the info! I guess the first method is quite out for me. Unless maybe I get Cypher (fellow S4 biker here) to help me with it. haha.. I shall go check out MW and compare the display they have versus the Vapor Meter. Both looks good and can give me the data I want.

[sihan0110]

engine temperature can i take from the casing or inside the engine ? the difference is it very big taken from the 2 location ?

[Iceachilles]

Thanks IvikaRazI~

Do you remember how much will it cost? This digital meter looks neat. I shall go MW check it out one of the days.

 

For the temperature sticker, where do you stick it on? The side of the radiator?

Reminds me of a similar type of sticker I used to stick on my fish tank.

 

I hope nothing too ex. I dun mind diy so long I know the place to get all the items and some simple guide. Ya, that sticker sure remind me of my dad's fish tank temp sticker. hahaha

[IvikaRazI]

Thanks IvikaRazI~

Do you remember how much will it cost? This digital meter looks neat. I shall go MW check it out one of the days.

 

For the temperature sticker, where do you stick it on? The side of the radiator?

Reminds me of a similar type of sticker I used to stick on my fish tank.

 

I hope nothing too ex. I dun mind diy so long I know the place to get all the items and some simple guide. Ya, that sticker sure remind me of my dad's fish tank temp sticker. hahaha

 

The LCD one .... be prepare to fork out money hahhaha

 

Actually the stickers juz stick to the radiator. So far been quite accurate or at least you know roughly how hot it is.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I'm just going to head to Tangs and get myself a nice oven thermometer and wedge the darn thing in my engine compartment. ($10?) Of course, there's no way to read the temperature on the move, but most of my riding is start-stop city stuff and the gauge is there to give an indication of how lean I can run for the day... possibly more precise than using my ears and nose to estimate fuel/air ratio :3

 

For proper steampunk effects, I could even have a few oven thermometers stuck onto the cylinder head, block, exhaust manifold and crankcase

 

Now, where do I get a vacuum gauge to monitor my DIY forced induction system...

[IvikaRazI]

Ohh ya this is the readings I took last year from the sticker. It still works till this day.

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs216.snc1/8322_171414756773_633266773_3612745_4543759_n.jpg

[exige]

Ok, I just visited Motorworld earlier and saw the Digital meter IvikaRazI mentioned.

Yeah.. its not cheap. The guy there quoted me $280 for the meter, including installation but excluding the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor is out of stock at the moment. Said to cost about $60-80. This sensor will measure the temperature by intersecting your radiator and radiator hose.

So in total, it looks like it's gonna cost between $340-$360.

 

BUT.. before I left, the guy showed me another device. This one should be made in Taiwan if I'm not wrong. Its not as high-tech as the $280 display. This small one displays only the temperature and it comes together with a sensor. Best of all, this kit only costs $60 including installation! Cheap and good. Just nice for what I want too.

 

BUT... this sensor is not installed between the radiator and radiator hose. It is to be fixed at the place where the S4's original temperature sensor is. The PROBLEM is..... urghh... this sensor is slightly longer than the S4's original sensor... and the mechanic was unable to get the sensor screwed on. After trying in vain for sometime, he proposed that I either wait and get the more expensive display and sensor, or I bring my bike another day (I reached MW at 7pm+ just now), he try to help me diy/mod the sensor to fix it between the radiator and radiator hose.

 

So now I'm back at home contemplating my options. I guess if the $60-80 sensor stock comes in, maybe I'll buy the $60 taiwan kit, and pair it with the $60-80 sensor? It wont be as cheap, but its still as good? Hmmm....

[ahcaibiker]

Ohh ya this is the readings I took last year from the sticker. It still works till this day.

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs216.snc1/8322_171414756773_633266773_3612745_4543759_n.jpg

 

how accurate are the readings taken from this temp sticker? which part of the radiator do you paste it at?

[IvikaRazI]

how accurate are the readings taken from this temp sticker? which part of the radiator do you paste it at?

 

These stickers are actually used on scramblers to monitor temperature. So most places that does not exceed 120 degrees celcius would be fine. Juz stick to the radiator's metal section lor. Where else to stick. On the fins I dont think will stick firmly.

[Iceachilles]

Ok, I just visited Motorworld earlier and saw the Digital meter IvikaRazI mentioned.

Yeah.. its not cheap. The guy there quoted me $280 for the meter, including installation but excluding the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor is out of stock at the moment. Said to cost about $60-80. This sensor will measure the temperature by intersecting your radiator and radiator hose.

So in total, it looks like it's gonna cost between $340-$360.

 

BUT.. before I left, the guy showed me another device. This one should be made in Taiwan if I'm not wrong. Its not as high-tech as the $280 display. This small one displays only the temperature and it comes together with a sensor. Best of all, this kit only costs $60 including installation! Cheap and good. Just nice for what I want too.

 

BUT... this sensor is not installed between the radiator and radiator hose. It is to be fixed at the place where the S4's original temperature sensor is. The PROBLEM is..... urghh... this sensor is slightly longer than the S4's original sensor... and the mechanic was unable to get the sensor screwed on. After trying in vain for sometime, he proposed that I either wait and get the more expensive display and sensor, or I bring my bike another day (I reached MW at 7pm+ just now), he try to help me diy/mod the sensor to fix it between the radiator and radiator hose.

 

So now I'm back at home contemplating my options. I guess if the $60-80 sensor stock comes in, maybe I'll buy the $60 taiwan kit, and pair it with the $60-80 sensor? It wont be as cheap, but its still as good? Hmmm....

 

Wah.. bro super ex sia. hahaha.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

These stickers are actually used on scramblers to monitor temperature. So most places that does not exceed 120 degrees celcius would be fine. Juz stick to the radiator's metal section lor. Where else to stick. On the fins I dont think will stick firmly.

 

You are right, the location needs to be thermally conductive (clean, bare metal surface) and as smooth as possible for an accurate reading.

 

Mind PMing me the source/cost of the stickers? Locally available?

[Iceachilles]

Today went to a hardware shop and saw a infra thermometer gun selling from $95~$130. No doubt cannot monitor during riding but after stopping and point and shoot. hahaha. much cheaper. Anybody got a cheaper method?

[IvikaRazI]

You are right, the location needs to be thermally conductive (clean, bare metal surface) and as smooth as possible for an accurate reading.

 

Mind PMing me the source/cost of the stickers? Locally available?

 

Only source.....amazon.com. I still got a few left with me.

[exige]

Wah.. bro super ex sia. hahaha.

 

yea.. Its pretty pricey. And I'm somehow worried about the digital meter being vandalised / stolen if I were to install it.

 

Only source.....amazon.com. I still got a few left with me.

 

hoho.. how much did you get it for? If its not too expensive, I don't mind getting one from you. Do PM me if ok?

 

Am rather tied down with work recently. But I will continue to source for other cheaper alternatives on engine temperature monitoring..

[at0m87]

Ok, I just visited Motorworld earlier and saw the Digital meter IvikaRazI mentioned.

Yeah.. its not cheap. The guy there quoted me $280 for the meter, including installation but excluding the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor is out of stock at the moment. Said to cost about $60-80. This sensor will measure the temperature by intersecting your radiator and radiator hose.

So in total, it looks like it's gonna cost between $340-$360.

 

BUT.. before I left, the guy showed me another device. This one should be made in Taiwan if I'm not wrong. Its not as high-tech as the $280 display. This small one displays only the temperature and it comes together with a sensor. Best of all, this kit only costs $60 including installation! Cheap and good. Just nice for what I want too.

 

BUT... this sensor is not installed between the radiator and radiator hose. It is to be fixed at the place where the S4's original temperature sensor is. The PROBLEM is..... urghh... this sensor is slightly longer than the S4's original sensor... and the mechanic was unable to get the sensor screwed on. After trying in vain for sometime, he proposed that I either wait and get the more expensive display and sensor, or I bring my bike another day (I reached MW at 7pm+ just now), he try to help me diy/mod the sensor to fix it between the radiator and radiator hose.

 

So now I'm back at home contemplating my options. I guess if the $60-80 sensor stock comes in, maybe I'll buy the $60 taiwan kit, and pair it with the $60-80 sensor? It wont be as cheap, but its still as good? Hmmm....

 

any idea what is the brand of the meter? any website that can get better details of specs?

[exige]

any idea what is the brand of the meter? any website that can get better details of specs?

 

The meter I saw was basically similar to what IvikaRazI has posted in #6:

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/301645-Fixing-a-Temperature-meter-gauge-monitor-for-bikes-that-do-not-come-with-it-(Eg-S4)?p=6683876&viewfull=1#post6683876

 

If not, I guess you can check out the other display Demon has posted:

 

you can probably modify a digital temperature meter to read off the temperature from the bike. It will not be difficult but it will test your DIY skill and squeeze your brain juice.

 

An easier method and also not too expensive is to get the get the Trailtech Vapor Meter.

http://trailtech.net/adventure_vapor_kits.html

 

It comes standard with a temperature kit for water-cool bikes. It will involve cutting your radiator hose, and insert a T-joint in which the sensor is located, and wire in to the meter, you will have temperature reading on the Vapor meter. You can also set the upper temperature reading so that it will warn you when it reaches that level.

 

For air-cool bikes, there are other temperature sensor kits but these must be bought separately. There is kit to tap temperature from the spark plugs, from the engine oil, etc.