19 replies to this topic

[j0-rdan]

Well I think iv pretty much said what I was wondering in the tittle. Just wondering how easy it is to fit a digital speedo, how much they are and where I could get one from?
Thanks

[camp freddy]

I've got one of these in ratty, pretty simple to fit,
this was from 'Banditmania' cost £85 , he was clearing them out.
you can get them from Acewell for around £150, different types avaliable
even round ones...



http://www.acewell.c...t-car/index.htm

didn't use the magnetic pick ups for the speedo i
got the drive converter and modded it

[j0-rdan]

Thanks Freddy, that looks really nice, although I was imagining like a little box that sat on top of the dash so I wouldnt need to remove the clocks that I have now??

[dklawson]

Freddy, is that pulse generator an inline unit that allows you to continue to use the "regular" cable-driven speedometer? If so, would you mind posting the name of the brand and where you bought it from?

The topic of digital instruments comes up often enough that it would be nice to collect a list of components like that pulse generator that people have found work well with the Mini.

[Tomf]

Freddy, is that pulse generator an inline unit that allows you to continue to use the "regular" cable-driven speedometer? If so, would you mind posting the name of the brand and where you bought it from?

The topic of digital instruments comes up often enough that it would be nice to collect a list of components like that pulse generator that people have found work well with the Mini.

Im pretty sure its a sensor that can be brough through the acewell site HERE

I think its the ACE - S2

Hope that helps a bit

[dklawson]

Thanks Tom.

That ACE-S2 should work at the speedo end of the threaded type speedo cables. I'll note that for the future. However, the picture from Freddy appears to be a gearbox end adapter. Both are good solutions, I'd just like to know as many options as possible.

[mini_mad69]

Quite easy to fit, just follow the instruction. Im using thr magnetic sensor with the magnet attatched to the rear drum.


It did work well, but now it gets confused, between 42 and 51 mph, it just sais what ever speed it feels like.


Is nice having trip counters though, makes working out mpg a bit easier. Also alot easier to read at night than the old mini clocks.

[dklawson]

It did work well, but now it gets confused, between 42 and 51 mph, it just sais what ever speed it feels like.

I suspect the problem you are experiencing is what I have cautioned about on previous digital gauge threads. The simple magnetic pickups are based on reed switches. Reed switches are going to cause you problems if they are mounted in a way that excites their natural frequency. There's no way for me to predict what that would be. However, consider for a moment that mounting your setup on a rear drum requires that the pickup also be mounted off of the radius arm which will be subject to a lot of vibration.

As a test, if you can "beef up" whatever method you used to mount your pickup you may find you can make the 42 to 51 MPH problem go away... or shift it to a lower speed. By adding mass you can lower the frequency of the system a bit. I had to make a much stiffer mounting bracket for the reed switch pickup on my car's bike speedo.

An alternative would be to buy one of those ACE-S2 pickups linked above. The description says that they are Hall Effect sensors. They use a different technology for switching but they are still basically magnetic. The Hall Effect sensor will be a 3-wire device so it will require a power source in addition to providing the signal for your digital instrument. The important thing is that it won't have a resonant frequency that will upset your gauge display.

[camp freddy]

Thanks Tom.

That ACE-S2 should work at the speedo end of the threaded type speedo cables. I'll note that for the future. However, the picture from Freddy appears to be a gearbox end adapter. Both are good solutions, I'd just like to know as many options as possible.

you have to modify it to work!

1, disassemble the hall sensor
2, discard the (m/cycle) locating nut as you need the mini one
3, find a washer to fit inside the mini locating nut, then
drill a hole (if needed) to allow the sensor drive shaft to
pass through it
4, put the washer inside the mini locating nut and push the
sensor drive shaft through both.
5, re-fit the square hall sensor unit onto to the shaft
6, find another washer, this is put inside the mini nut to stop
the sensor drive shaft fouling on the mini g/box drive and
helps to clamp the shaft,
7, last thing to do is to crimp the square drive on the gearbox
male square drive on the hall sensor is smaller, I suggest that
a little resin (araldite) is poured into the g/box square drive,
this secures the male square drive, I have done this...

Edited by camp freddy, 17 November 2009 - 07:13 PM.

[dklawson]

you have to modify it to work!

Can you elaborate on what's required? Are you saying that you used the ACE-S2 on the gearbox end and that modifications were required to fit it there or are you saying that to fit the ACE-S2 to the speedo end of the stock cable requires modification?

There's no reason that the "off the shelf" ACE-S2 should fit the gearbox end since the gearbox threads are 3/4-26 (close to M19x1). The ACE-S2 says it is for use with M12 threads which is what you'll find on Smiths speedometers up until the switch to the "clip on" cables.

We've had other threads were we directed people to Sailes Marketing for their Hunter brand of pulse generators. They have one that mounts "inline" with a stock speedo cable but requires the cable be modified to achieve this. Another member of this board had Sailes custom make a pulse generator for him. That installation screwed directly onto the gearbox without the capability of driving the original cable.

[camp freddy]

you have to modify it to work!

Can you elaborate on what's required? Are you saying that you used the ACE-S2 on the gearbox end and that modifications were required to fit it there or are you saying that to fit the ACE-S2 to the speedo end of the stock cable requires modification?

There's no reason that the "off the shelf" ACE-S2 should fit the gearbox end since the gearbox threads are 3/4-26 (close to M19x1). The ACE-S2 says it is for use with M12 threads which is what you'll find on Smiths speedometers up until the switch to the "clip on" cables.

We've had other threads were we directed people to Sailes Marketing for their Hunter brand of pulse generators. They have one that mounts "inline" with a stock speedo cable but requires the cable be modified to achieve this. Another member of this board had Sailes custom make a pulse generator for him. That installation screwed directly onto the gearbox without the capability of driving the original cable.

I fitted mine to the gearbox and not to the cable, couldn't see the point in
keeping the cable when I haven't got an analog speedo.
The as-2 is made to fit a motorcycle drive, the nut is too small...
I have used one

Edited by camp freddy, 17 November 2009 - 07:20 PM.

[evansisgreat]

Thanks Freddy, that looks really nice, although I was imagining like a little box that sat on top of the dash so I wouldnt need to remove the clocks that I have now??

More like this? I'm not sure how it's all wired up but I stumbled upon it and I want one. DIY digital speedo

[j0-rdan]

Quite easy to fit, just follow the instruction. Im using thr magnetic sensor with the magnet attatched to the rear drum.


It did work well, but now it gets confused, between 42 and 51 mph, it just sais what ever speed it feels like.


Is nice having trip counters though, makes working out mpg a bit easier. Also alot easier to read at night than the old mini clocks.

Yea this is very close to what I was looking for! How much did this cost?
Thanks

[camp freddy]

Quite easy to fit, just follow the instruction. Im using thr magnetic sensor with the magnet attatched to the rear drum.


It did work well, but now it gets confused, between 42 and 51 mph, it just sais what ever speed it feels like.


Is nice having trip counters though, makes working out mpg a bit easier. Also alot easier to read at night than the old mini clocks.

Yea this is very close to what I was looking for! How much did this cost?
Thanks

they are on the ACEWELL site

£115

http://www.acewell.c...t-car/index.htm

Edited by camp freddy, 17 November 2009 - 11:18 PM.

[mini_mad69]

This is how I mounted the bracket. I thought it was a bit odd how it used too work perfectly, but now it's not so great. The bolts and screws holding it in place are all still tight. So you think I should re-make the bracket?