Speedhut Oil Temp Gauge

[Firehawk068]

I had made it to the point where I was fed-up with my previous VDO temp gauge.





The light bulb had burned out months ago, the needle always bounced around so I couldn't get an accurate reading at highway speeds/rpms, and the sweep range of the gauge was never to my liking anyway.
I figured if I had to remove the thing to change the bulb in it, I might as well replace it with something better.

I ordered the 2" full-sweep electric oil temp gauge from Speedhut.



Before installation, I thought I should waterproof the face of it since it would be out in the rain at times.
The outer bezel unscrews, and the lens pops out.
I used RTV silicone to seal it up.



I removed the old VDO sensor and wiring, and installed the new Speedhut sensor.



Ran the new sensor wire through some 1/4" wire loom, and zip-tied it in place.





The new gauge fit the previous hole perfectly!
It is lower profile on the back side, so it takes up slightly less room underneath.



I went for a short 130-mile test ride during my vacation last week to test it out.
I love the new gauge!
It is very easy to read at a glance.
The needle doesn't vibrate or bounce at any speed or rpm. It is also way more responsive than the VDO gauge was.
It also reads about 10 or so degrees lower than the VDO gauge did at operating temps?
This could be attributed to the fact that I had Teflon tape on the threads of the old VDO sensor(instructions said to use it on the threads), and being grounded to the engine via the sensor, it may have caused more resistance than it should have been?
I didn't use any thread sealant on the new sensor this time. (could possibly be a more accurate gauge than the VDO was also?)

Anyway, I would highly recommend this over the VDO short-sweep gauge.

[aviationfred]

Looks good Alan 

On the temp decrease, per chance was the Speed Hut oil sensor longer than the VDO sensor? I spoke to Randy about this subject awhile ago. If the oil temp sensor is short and does not extend very far past the oil galley adaptor, the temp reading will be high due to registering more temp from the case and less from the oil.

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

.....It also reads about 10 or so degrees lower than the VDO gauge did at operating temps?
This could be attributed to the fact that I had Teflon tape on the threads of the old VDO sensor(instructions said to use it on the threads), and being grounded to the engine via the sensor, it may have caused more resistance than it should have been?
I didn't use any thread sealant on the new sensor this time. (could possibly be a more accurate gauge than the VDO was also?)

Thanks Alan, great write up!

You know I've always wondered about that...Is the oil temp sensor really reading the *true* oil temp, or is the heat from the engine case transferring through the brass plug and effecting the sensor?
[edit] I see Fred has already explained this question

I didn't even consider a false reading due to a shield on the ground path (teflon tape) You raise a good question.

I think oil temperature is important. Not so much the high range on a heat soaked engine, but more importantly the low range, showing the rider how long it takes your oil to get up to proper operating temperature (~180*) before you visit the kookaloo zone.

[movenon]

Nice write up Alan.  Good info on the sender.  I have a small digital unit and during the summer I run 210 to a recorded high of 266 (hot day, idling at a stop light).  Just average numbers.  I like the scale on your new gauge better than the VDO.
George

[Firehawk068]

Looks good Alan 

On the temp decrease, per chance was the Speed Hut oil sensor longer than the VDO sensor? I spoke to Randy about this subject awhile ago. If the oil temp sensor is short and does not extend very far past the oil galley adaptor, the temp reading will be high due to registering more temp from the case and less from the oil.

Fred

You know, this is good info also.
One thing I did pay attention to, that I really didn't think much about at the time, is that the new Speedhut sensor was significantly longer than the VDO sensor was.
More of the sensor would be in the actual oil stream.
What you relayed from Randy makes total sense, and probably contributes to the lower gauge reading.
This is all good stuff. 

[JMR]

 I have found the Shindy digital unit works very well (have it on 2 bikes) and is super easy to install.
https://www.denniskirk.com/shindy/digital-oil-temperature-gauge.p40756.prd/40756.sku

I also have an Autometer electric oil pressure gauge mounted in the left side fairing panel. Much more of a PITA to mount for sure.