VDO Oil Temp Gage Installed..need power

[RFAR!]

I have installed a vdo oil temp sensor in the oil drain hole and a matching gage in the fairing. So now I need +12V power for the gage and gage light. The ground side is no problem a connecting to the sensor is likewise.. straight forward.

What is the suggested solution to grab switched 12V power for the unit? I would like to avoid splicing wires or tapping live wires that are in service.. Is there an auxilary 12 volt switched circuit with a plug in that is available near the right side of the bike.

I will study up on the shop manual.. but would appreciate advice and guidance on this.

Thanks

Jim, Ketchikan
RFAR!

[boxa]

Hi Jim

I just fitted a GPS and cigarette lighter to my R1100s and wanted a permanent on 12 volt wire. I looked in the right side box apposite the fuse box and there was an unused switched 12 volt plug in there. Not sure what it is for or what size fuse it runs through but might be suitable.

Thanx
Dave

[bikerfish1100]

Add something like a fuzeblock or Centech to tap fused power from the battery. Or, splice into parking light power lead.

[Guest24]

This is what you need for those add-on's. I gave up the CO2 tire repair thingy because I carry a Greem Slime compressor and patch kit in the egg bag.

[Trex]

Nail24 - Perfect solution. That's exactly where I put my Centech. I keep the original black plastic cover over it.

[bikerfish1100]

sheet, Bubba just swiped that location idea from me!

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by bikerfish1100

sheet, Bubba just swiped that location idea from me!

Every now and then I wobble across an idea own my owm, Joe. Of course, that's about the only suitabel place for it to go.

[bikerfish1100]

wait, wait. Maybe i stole yours. i dunno. Winter is setting in, my brain is icing over.

[RFAR!]

Thanks guys..

I am a will take the suggestions.. I like the fuse block idea and will also look in to the switched purple wire that is shown in my wiring diagram.
I am not looking to add a bunch of accessories. Just the oil temp sender and I will wire direct the LCD volt meter direct like the clock.

Thanks for the pictures.. I will report back and take photos of the solution and new installs when complete.

My plan is to ride this bike from Ketchikan to Fairbanks (cold) through Canada to Key West (hot) then across the Southern part of the USA and to California (hot) and up the coast and back to Ketchikan. I will start in May and hope to be complete by September.

My mission is to visit 100 Rotary Clubs.

I just want to be able to see when the heat is hitting the yellow zone (+200), if it goes over 230F I am stopping. I will be running Amzoil 20-50.

And I want to monitor the battery.

I appreciate the response..

Jim, Ketchikan
RFAR!

[bikerfish1100]

or, you could just not bother at all. As long as the bike is moving and has oil in it, you will have no heat issues. none.
if you get stopped in traffic for more than 5 minutes, shut 'er down.
sort of like the voltmeters on airheads- just another thing to confound you when the gauge goes bad, as that is much more likely to happen than an actual malfunction.
in 10 years of owning my R11S, and about the same number of years on this site, and even more on the MOA site, i can recall exactly ZERO posts about an Oilhead bike overheating- as long as it is moving. Only time overheating has ever been repoted has been when someone decides that the bike needs to sit and idle in their garage while drinking their pre-ride coffee.
Of course, i've never ridden my bike in temps over 115F, so all bets are off when ambient temps break 120F. (like that 5 degrees is gonna matter to the bike. at hose temps, I am the one needing a temp guage to warn of overheating.

[Guest24]

My mission is to visit 100 Rotary Clubs.

Great goal. do you notice my old Hp2S sticker?

[RFAR!]

First of all.. bikerfish..
I know your point.. I just like to monitor the base lines.. you do make a good point and it applies to the earlier airheads too. I hardly ever see a temp over 190 on the R75 when it keeps moving.. no oil cooler. The volt meter is LCD and is non automotive instrument quality so hopefully will be acurate and reliable. The wires are like threads.

Nail... RFAR stands for "Rotary Foundation Awareness Ride" and I will pass through GA.. If I can get your Club info... would like to meet up.

So, I wired the volt meter and temp gage to the same power lead. I went to the black box under the fuse holder on the right side and tapped into the green switched 4 amp wire. I stripped it and soldered a line with a 3 amp fuse for power to the gage, light, and volt meter. The power is a red fused line to the meters, I grounded a brown wire from the gage to a frame bolt.

I have not buttoned this up yet.. so today maybe I can finish it. Will post some pics of the finished result.

Thanks for your interest.

Jim

[sgoodwin]

Ok, I gotta ask this...how many actual riding days do you get up there?

[RFAR!]

We live on an island.. (the bridge to"nowwhere" fame) We have about 40 miles of State Highway. This is a marine climate as we are in Southeast Alaska with the Inside Passage.
Most days are rideable and we have a very active Harley Club. There are about 5 of us that have 'Cherman' bikes. I have the only oilhead sport bike, there are a couple3 GS's and an GS800, and about 3 airheads around.
On can get on the Ferry and ride the continent in Canada. About a 6 hr ferry ride, goes twice a week. But that is kind of snowy now.

We get an average of 160inches of rain per year.. it really is about off island for real riding.

jim

[RFAR!]

It is wired and it works... I did add a setup for a pigtail for adding a fuze box later.

Here are a couple of pictures.
Volt output regulated at 13.2 - 13.8 on average.
Heat runs about 180 to 190 degrees F. Nice to know what is happening.






Thanks guys for your interest.

Jim Dahl
Ketchikan, Alaska

[sgoodwin]

Nice clean install, now you got two more things to worry about while riding. I'm not sure I need or want to know as they've never been a concern. I had the rid display on my 11rs & it bothered me to see it getting hot but the bike didn't seem to care or notice. It does look good though.

[Drews323i]

Nice clean work! I like it!!