29 replies to this topic

[geo]

Im fitting a digi dash in my 1994 mini to replace the nippon 110mph 3 clock dash. My question is what happens to the voltage stabiliser in the fuel gauge?

Thanks George

Edited by geo, 18 December 2007 - 03:44 PM.

[Jammy]

I believe that its only usually Smiths clocks that need a voltage stabiliser, so I *think* you won't need it, but I'd double check in the instructions first.

[geo]

Thanks for the fast reply. Im 99% sure mine has a built in voltage stabiliser but unlike the smiths ones i think is built into the fuel gauge itsself rather than a seperate little box on the back.

Thanks

[Ethel]

Acewell's have built in fuel gauges and are intended as an accessory for motor bikes that don't have any gauge. They've just started doing one with a more realistic rev scale for cars. There's another manufacturer of cheapo digital dashes that slips my mind at the mo.

[Udo]

I did the same conversion and you dont need to do anything with regards to the voltage stabiliser the only thing you do need to do is add some resistors across the tank sender unit so that it works at the same ohms as the gauge. cant remember the figure you need at the moment


Edit found it 158ohms across the sender

Edited by Udo, 18 December 2007 - 06:59 PM.

[mini93]

i have one in my '93 mini i just replaced the whole thing, was told that a resistor would be needed but my fuel gauge was so out at 1st (not sure why) but when i put the acewell in it worked fine and red basicly what was there or at least when i needed to be told

[Udo]

I'll add then that mine read correctly to start with - I checked with the old run till empty with a can of fuel in the boot trick

[geo]

So i should be able to install the didi dash and just ignor the voltage stabiliser then? Could some one explain what the voltage stabiliser actually does as it doesnt seem right that my standard clocks need one but the digi dash wont.

Also is the required resistance accross the fuel sender 158ohms regardless of the mini or age

Many thanks

[mini93]

think its to do with the bio-metalic strip, voltage is put to 2 sides the more power on one side rather than the other moves the needle accordingly
as the acewell is digital it doesnt need that kind of thing

still...might be wrong

[mineeeeee]

Voltage stabilizer is just that


your voltage will alter slightley with engine speed and load ie lights/heater and so on but
your gauges need a constant voltage because the sensors that give the readings to the gauges
work by resistance that alters according to what its reading.
So if the voltage increases the the needle will rise regardless of the sensor reading.

If anybody can explain it better then feel free as expressing what i mean is not my strong point.

[geo]

If thats the case the does th digi dash work off the current?

Do i still need to find a way of stabilising the voltage?

Im getting more and more confused

[mini93]

i didnt use one

the voltage stabliser will be because of the needle in the clocks which the digidash doesnt use

[mineeeeee]

your digi dash is electronic and will have a built in regulator prob. using zenor diodes or the like.
In fact it is very possable the dash internals are only 5v and the voltage is dropped and regulated as part of the circuit
but dont hold me to that as i am not up on car dash boards but this is common in electronics.

As for compatibility with the sensors,that needs to be explained by somone who has fitted this type
of dash.

[Ethel]

your digi dash is electronic and will have a built in regulator prob. using zenor diodes or the like.
In fact it is very possable the dash internals are only 5v and the voltage is dropped and regulated as part of the circuit
but dont hold me to that as i am not up on car dash boards but this is common in electronics.

As for compatibility with the sensors,that needs to be explained by somone who has fitted this type
of dash.

I think you're right, I believe Acewells can be fitted to 12v or 6v systems (they're meant for bikes) without any concerns over voltage. The only issue I could see is matching it to the Mini's petrol tank sender unit. You could just measure the resistance of the Mini's and the one that comes with the Acewell (if there's no such info in their docs) and add some inline resistors to match. From what's been said it seems like the Mini's, handily, has lower resistance.

Trailtech are the other bike dash manufacturers I couldn't remember.

[geo]

I understand now so i dont need to worry about the voltage stabiliser which puts my mind at rest on that one.

Just out of interest is there any circumstances where the current will change affecting the setup of the dash after ive installed it.

Many thanks for all you help