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General Category => Modifications => Topic started by: racerrad8 on July 21, 2010, 01:03:56 PM

Title: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: racerrad8 on July 21, 2010, 01:03:56 PM
Quote from: Marsh White on July 20, 2010, 11:42:11 PM
Quote from: mikeholzer on July 20, 2010, 11:59:45 AM
Marsh, what is the LED numeral in the center of the gage panel for?

That is a custom made gear indicator - but that is a topic for another thread!

Well here is the new thread...

I stock a digital gear indicator for the FJ. The difference is that it is manufactured in a housing that looks just like the oil temp gauge Marsh is using. It requires a 2" hole for mounting. It comes with the white engine indicator and only requires a 12v source. The amp load is under 3 as that is the size of the fuse that come with the unit.

I have not attempted to disassemble on to see if the indicator & circuit board could be mounted elsewhere.

I will try and get a picture or two posted shortly.

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Marsh White on July 21, 2010, 01:13:02 PM
I'm VERY interested in it!  How does it get the gear information?  Is it electronic? (I don't think that is possible with the FJ - but i hope I'm wrong!)   Or is it mechanical?  How does it work?  Mine has two microswitches externally mounted that are tripped when I physically move the foot gear shift lever.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: simi_ed on July 21, 2010, 01:53:50 PM
Marsh, here's a gear indicator that uses hall effect sensors, mounted to the shift lever. 

http://hackaday.com/2010/06/04/motorcycle-current-gear-indicator/ (http://hackaday.com/2010/06/04/motorcycle-current-gear-indicator/)
<http://tinyurl.com/247w7bp (http://tinyurl.com/247w7bp)>

YMMV,

Ed
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: racerrad8 on July 21, 2010, 01:56:48 PM
You replace the single contact neutral indicator under the chain guard to the new unit which has the contacts for all of the gear positions.

The shift barrel has a brass contact in the end that grounds the respective gear position circuit to illuminate the light. No micro or hall effect switches required.

Randy - RPM

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1_21_07_10_1_50_37_0.jpeg)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1_21_07_10_1_50_44_1.jpeg)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1_21_07_10_1_50_51_2.jpeg)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1_21_07_10_1_50_57_3.jpeg)
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Marsh White on July 21, 2010, 02:18:15 PM
Awesome - I want one!  Get us pricing when you can!

And I can't believe I have NEVER heard of this before - my custom "micro-switch" indicator is a serious pain in the ass.  The switches have to be located "just right" and frequently move out of position.  I LOVE having to not worry about that anymore!
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: E Double on July 21, 2010, 03:05:48 PM
Oh yeah, I would like one of them too!
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: pdxfj on July 21, 2010, 04:04:51 PM
Hmmm...

Someone who's handy with a soldering iron could remove the LED display and wire it up so the larger unit could be placed elsewhere.

Hmmm.....
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Marsh White on July 21, 2010, 04:36:43 PM
Quote from: pdxfj on July 21, 2010, 04:04:51 PM
Hmmm...

Someone who's handy with a soldering iron could remove the LED display and wire it up so the larger unit could be placed elsewhere.

Hmmm.....

My thoughts exactly!  Or I could probably use the existing indicator I already have.  My current one does have a photocell to dim the display at night and keep it bright during the day.  I bet I could keep that functionality too...
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: rktmanfj on July 21, 2010, 09:11:09 PM

Ok, I have the breadboard out... now if I just had the time to mess with it.      :dash2:

Randy T
Indy
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Scooterbob on July 22, 2010, 12:09:21 PM
Quote from: Marsh White on July 21, 2010, 02:18:15 PM
Awesome - I want one!  Get us pricing when you can!

And I can't believe I have NEVER heard of this before - my custom "micro-switch" indicator is a serious pain in the ass.  The switches have to be located "just right" and frequently move out of position.  I LOVE having to not worry about that anymore!

I'm in too!
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Firehawk068 on July 22, 2010, 06:40:35 PM
I'll take one of those also  :good:
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: SlowOldGuy on July 23, 2010, 09:03:58 AM
I don't understand the big need for a gear indicator?  The only time it would help me is when I'm on the highway trying to find 6th gear.

The tach tells me when to shift, the gear I'm in doesn't really matter.

Or is this just a gadget fetish?

DavidR.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Dan Filetti on July 23, 2010, 09:54:58 AM
My thoughts exactly.  I guess on the track, if you wanted to specifically know what gear you were rounding a corner/ set of corners it may be able to help you to see if you're doing better/ worse than your previous laps, others?

Still it seems fairly superfluous.

Dan
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Marsh White on July 23, 2010, 10:46:34 AM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on July 23, 2010, 09:03:58 AM
I don't understand the big need for a gear indicator?  The only time it would help me is when I'm on the highway trying to find 6th gear.

The tach tells me when to shift, the gear I'm in doesn't really matter.

Or is this just a gadget fetish?

DavidR.

David, if you have to ask you wouldn't understand...   ;)    No seriously, it's just a gadget fetish.  The love of LED lights, information, input, etc.  Oh, it does help to stop me from trying to find 6th all the time...

I will add, there are times when I'm in a little bit of a straight in between sets of corners - and as I'm approaching the next set of corners I wonder what gear I'm in.  Am I currently in 4th?  5th?  I know I want to be in 2nd for these upcoming tight corners to utilize maximum engine braking.  So I end up upshifting until I can't anymore to know for certain that I am in 5th, then I can start my downshifting with certainty.  This ends me from doing that little upshifting game.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: SlowOldGuy on July 23, 2010, 04:44:12 PM
Quote from: Marsh White on July 23, 2010, 10:46:34 AM
I will add, there are times when I'm in a little bit of a straight in between sets of corners - and as I'm approaching the next set of corners I wonder what gear I'm in.  Am I currently in 4th?  5th?  I know I want to be in 2nd for these upcoming tight corners to utilize maximum engine braking.  So I end up upshifting until I can't anymore to know for certain that I am in 5th, then I can start my downshifting with certainty.  This ends me from doing that little upshifting game.

I can appreciate that train of thought.  Around here I'm in a LOT of straight between corners so I rarely get out of 5th.  Plenty of time to set entry speed before the corner arrives.  Therefore, no hurried downshifting or braking required (in fact, I discourage both of those actions when teaching the newbies).  Also, the curves aren't all that tight so I'd estimate 95% of my "typical" riding loop is done in 5th gear.  :-(

One of these days, I'm going to find that 6th gear!

DavidR.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: RichBaker on July 23, 2010, 06:35:42 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on July 23, 2010, 09:03:58 AM
I don't understand the big need for a gear indicator?  The only time it would help me is when I'm on the highway trying to find 6th gear.

The tach tells me when to shift, the gear I'm in doesn't really matter.

Or is this just a gadget fetish?

DavidR.

I'm with you, Dave... I've never felt the need for one.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: FJato on July 29, 2010, 08:33:05 AM
I'm interested, too. No gadget fetish, just tired of trying to find 6th.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: delarbreavous on July 29, 2010, 10:51:53 AM
Is the search of the 6th gear the holly grail of the FJ owner??

Just asking...

Alain
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: racerrad8 on July 29, 2010, 01:35:28 PM
Based on the intial interest I am trying to determine if I can get better pricing on a quanity. As soon as I find out I will advise of the cost.

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: racerrad8 on August 02, 2010, 03:03:32 PM
Quote from: racerrad8 on July 29, 2010, 01:35:28 PM
Based on the initial interest I am trying to determine if I can get better pricing on a quantity. As soon as I find out I will advise of the cost.

Randy - RPM

Okay, I tried to see if I could get better pricing of I did a bulk purchase; they said sure, but the minimum number would have to be to great for me to justify putting too many of the shelf.

So, the cost is $250.00 plus some incoming freight.

I am looking to purchase possibly ten or so and that way I can spread that incoming freight around to lessen the cost of each unit.

If you are interested please email me directly; randy@rpmracingca.com

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: draku on December 25, 2010, 08:47:26 AM
250 $ for one digital indicator?
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: pajoXJR on March 29, 2012, 04:45:22 AM
Randy - RPM

what would be the price just for the white plastic that is changed for neutral switch? If parts can be purchased separately.

Thank you
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: fj11.5 on March 29, 2012, 05:03:05 AM
like one , but well$$$ would stop that 6th gear pissing off everytime I hit the highway  :dash1:
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: racerrad8 on March 29, 2012, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: pajoXJR on March 29, 2012, 04:45:22 AM
Randy - RPM

what would be the price just for the white plastic that is changed for neutral switch? If parts can be purchased separately.

Thank you


Well, since it has been a while since I inquired, I placed the call and I can now buy the sending unit separate, it is going to be $133.61. I am putting together a stock order and I will add one to the order so I will have it in stock.

As soon as I get it I will add it to the inventory.

Thanks for checking, Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Pat Conlon on March 29, 2012, 11:23:20 AM
That's cool Randy.

A question for Marsh.... Do you have any info. about your dash display? That is a very clean install, that display coupled with Randy's sending unit would be the cat's meeeow.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: Dads_FJ on March 29, 2012, 12:16:16 PM
I don't recall the model, but on some early Yamahas you could go from high gear straight to first.  The logic was that as you slowed to a stop from speed you could just 'lift up' one and be in low gear ready to take off.  I imagine too many people were reaching for the next high gear and would end up in first - yikes - because they added a stop to the shift drum.  At least they were two-strokes so they didn't float any valves... Anyone know the model please share.
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: weymouth399 on March 29, 2012, 12:36:08 PM
1976 Chaparral st 100 with a fuji motor has a rotary shift.
Wish someone should have told me that as a eager 13 yr old.   :shok: :dash1:

Bob W
Title: Re: Digital Gear Indicator
Post by: rktmanfj on March 29, 2012, 02:11:06 PM
Quote from: Dads_FJ on March 29, 2012, 12:16:16 PM
I don't recall the model, but on some early Yamahas you could go from high gear straight to first.  The logic was that as you slowed to a stop from speed you could just 'lift up' one and be in low gear ready to take off.  I imagine too many people were reaching for the next high gear and would end up in first - yikes - because they added a stop to the shift drum.  At least they were two-strokes so they didn't float any valves... Anyone know the model please share.

IIRC, Bridgestone did that on a few.