Digital oil temp gauge problems
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 4
From: Santa Ynez, Ca
Digital oil temp gauge problems
My relatively new gauge (May of this year) is acting up and not reading when I first shut down. I suppose its overheating the battery as this is the second battery I've installed. Anyone else having this problem. Seems to work fine for a month they quits until I relplace the battery??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 172
From: Clarksville, TN
My guess is the pipes are roasting it. I wanted to get one but the cap is way to close to my pipes (V&H Big Radius) so I didn't want to chase spending the case on one even though I think they are cool.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 4
From: Santa Ynez, Ca
Might be the pipes but I think its more the cases cause even after the pipes cool down the gauge still won't work. It took about two hours of cool down before the display worked again. I'm going to change the battery again then write to HD to complain about it...not that will do any good however!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 26
From: Sonoma County, CA
Pcbunn, out of curiosity, what temp does the oil typically get up to? I've been thinking about one of these however if they are quirky, I may not invest in one.... My pipes don't come close to my oil cap so if it's the pipes I'd be fine. BUT if it's the heat from the engine...Hmmmm.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 4
From: Santa Ynez, Ca
Well, I've checked the temp at the end of each ride somewhat consistantly since I purchased the bike in May. Before I installed the Jagg oil cooler I averaged 237 degrees, the range was from a high of 267 to a low of 217 and after the oil cooler install it has averaged 222 degrees, a 15 degree reduction. I've really enjoyed keeping tract of the temp and if fact I may just be running the battery down checking it so much. The gauge works reliably except when the battery is dying or too hot. Its the case heat that is the issue I think as it works again when it cools down. I like mine and will just keep replacing the battery and stop checking every time I ride. Probably don't need to keep doing it so often anymore now that I know what it averages. Its been fun though!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 89
From: Tampa, FL
it sounds like you are just running the batery down quickly, or you bought a bad battery.
What you describe is exactly what happens to mine when the battery is dying. I too thought it might be temp related. But once i replace the battery it works with every puch of the button regardless of riding time or pipe temp.
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What you describe is exactly what happens to mine when the battery is dying. I too thought it might be temp related. But once i replace the battery it works with every puch of the button regardless of riding time or pipe temp.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 676
Likes: 2
From: Glendale, AZ
When I installed mine, i noticed that the cap was very close to the heat shield on my VH bigshots...so I slightly bent the heatshield away. This summer...in 110* heat I think the highest recorded temp after my daily 20mile ride home was 254* . No oil cooler. I check the temp every time I arrive at work and when I get home on hot days just to see...but I have not noticed any battery/heat issues. It has been installed for about a year and have not had to change the battery yet. Sounds like I've been lucky?
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 4
From: Santa Ynez, Ca
I just replaced the battery so I can see how long this one lasts and I won't be checking it everytime I ride, maybe just once a week from now on. For me it may have been a combination of factors; weak battery to start with, heat and checking it so often. We'll see what the future brings. Thanks for all the replys.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
I have the same temp gauge and use a JAGG 10 row side mount cooler on my FXDC
and I find that the temp really depends on air flow. If I'm riding moderately hard at
lower speeds or get stuck at a lot of lights, it goes right up.. 245 is about the max.
If I can keep some speed up, even at heavy throttle, it rarely goes over 220 and 210
is pretty common.
and I find that the temp really depends on air flow. If I'm riding moderately hard at
lower speeds or get stuck at a lot of lights, it goes right up.. 245 is about the max.
If I can keep some speed up, even at heavy throttle, it rarely goes over 220 and 210
is pretty common.