Here in South Texas I normally see my fatboy between 230 and 250.

 

I read with interest this thread, and then decided to calibrate my
Drag Specialties chrome oil plug temperature gauge DS330039.


Put it in boiling water and used two other thermometers, one a laser thermometer I know to be very accurate. The DS330039 Drag Specialities was off by a whopping 25-30 degrees too low. Checked it three times.
I have now sent email to online retailer asking for replacement or refund (JT Cycles in NY). I'll advise what they do.
I have been using this device for couple of months, thinking it was reliable. After a ride, I got temps around 165 - 175 degrees. But, after reading this thread, I realized that was too low.


Thanks for all the useful ideas


Joe

 

OP - What engine temp does you PV give you?

 

The Train usually runs 185-210 in the summer months.As much as 225 in hot stop and go traffic. It's a 10.5-1 motor and dino oil, no cooler, 1ST gen SERT.

 

Those are awesome numbers. No problems there at all.

 

My 2 cents, simply for comparison purposes. I have 3 Harley's (all stage 1) and use this formula which is generally accurate for my bikes. I take the cubic inches times 1.5 and add the ambient air temp as a starting point. Thus, my 88 ci runs around 202 at 70 degrees (88 times 1.5 plus 70), my 96 ci around 214 at 70 degrees, and my 110 ci around 235 at 70 degrees. Obviously, if you are stuck in traffic it can up to 10% higher. I just check it quickly when I pull into the garage -- any large deviations would be concerning. Ron 😎

 

09 Heritage with a stage 1 to include a Fuel Pak.

On a cool day I'm in the neighborhood of 215.
On a hot day I'm in the neighborhood of 240.

In traffic I suppose it's higher than 240 but I've never got off and looked at the gauge.

 

Laser temperature gauges are very accurate when used in a suitable situation.. E.G. except reflective surfaces, and its important to understand that they are not gauging the temperature at the IR point but around it. (Chrome makes the reading unreliable) , water or transparent/reflective fluids (water or oils makes the reading unreliable).

Not sure how you are measuring the oil temp but if you are shooting the hole in the oil tank you might be reading the lip of the opening.

http://www.thermoworks.com/blog/2012...d-thermometry/

 

FWIW, generally speaking, your formula seems to hold true for my 103 ci 2014 Breakout too. I'd call 234.5 F a peak temp for 80 F ambient highway riding.

I find temps need to be checked with my dipstick gauge immediately upon stopping, before shutting down, as tank oil temp drops very rapidly after shutting down.

 

Calibration using laser temp for fluids, such as boiling water; bring water to boil with a wooden spoon in the water; shoot the light onto the spoon; read the temp.


Also, I have an industrial temp gauge that is designed for fluids, highly accurate, and the industrial reading was same as the laser thermometer in water/spoon.


Both of those were way off from the DS330039 oil dipstick temp gauge in boiling water; got a reading of 185 degrees.


My bike should be reading oil temp after a normal ride at STP (70 F) about 225 degrees; the DS330039 was reading 165 degrees. Terrible accuracy.


I am still waiting to hear from JT Cycles in NY for a replacement or refund. Will advise.


Best, Joe