[dogmeatk]

I disagree that it wouldn't be a good idea - The clocks are selling rather well from the amount of posts I see about them on the internet. KOSO ones are just too pricey for a lot of people so there is a thriving market for the Chinese knock-off ones. If you were to sell them instead, it would reduce the waiting time for them to arrive in the post, and would be easier to ask for advice on fitting them. I say, go for it - and when you make millions, can I have a 10% cut for persuading you to do it? :LolLolLolLol:

Selling ripoffs here in the USA is a hairy situation. I'd rather not subject my business to the possibility of lawsuits.

Please remember that the knock-off and the real koso are NOT the same gauge! The koso reads a +12v signal, which is why you can wire it to the coil pack. That is also why you should set the cylinder number to 2 for wasted spark ignitions (two coils for four cylinders). The knockoff you and thomas have only read -12v signals, which only comes from the signal generator and actually has nothing to do with the number of cylinders of coil packs. It can vary by manufacturer, the frequency is determined by how many magnetic pickups they designed their signal generator with. From the tech that made the knock-offs (in original engrish):

Let me say it in details. as for the one cyliners motorcycle, parameter is 100Hz corresponding to 6000rpm;
as for the two cyliners, parameter is 100Haz corresponding to 3000r,
and as for the four cyliners, parameter will be 100Hz corresponding to 1500r.

 

[thunder_taz]

I have just discovered the old adapter I used to drive my DB-01R clocks off the mechanical speedo on my Ace.

http://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/mechanical-to-digital-drive-converter-type-m-for-whiteblack-thin-square-plug-models-159-p.asp

These are the installation instructions

http://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/cable-drive-adapter-292-p.asp

I presume this uses a mechanism to turn the revolutions of the mechanical speedo into the sort of electronic pulses that the magnets passing by the sensor would use. Does anyone know if this would be usable on these Chinese gauges?

 

[dogmeatk]

I presume this uses a mechanism to turn the revolutions of the mechanical speedo into the sort of electronic pulses that the magnets passing by the sensor would use. Does anyone know if this would be usable on these Chinese gauges?

It's a very similar mechanism, however, the three wires make me skeptical that it would work with the knockoff Koso in this conversation. Most magnetic hall-effect pickups from the chinese manufacturers utilize a 5v signal to the hall-effect sensor. That's what the third wire is. The signal generator on most motorcycles utilizes a 12v signal. Sooo .. you might be able to McGyver something if you wire it in parallel with the signal generator .. but if the magnet count in the sensor is wrong, you will still have the same problem.

 

[Selena]

I will pass all the info on to my mate and see if it makes him go - "Ahh! Now I get it" LOL

All the info I have is based on the KOSO, so the info you have provided will be far more relevant - Thanks both of you

 

[thunder_taz]

I just read a how to on a Yamaha forum about setting up a DIY gear display which I should be able to hook up to the gauges. Not sure how relevant it will be to other bikes, but here is the link...

http://www.bikersoracle.com/thunder/forum/showthread.php?p=92933&posted=1#post92933

 

[thunder_taz]

Got my gauges today and had a few problems:

1. No magnets. I am going to use magnetic bolts but I have messaged the seller to send me some as I will keep them as a backup.

2. Wires don't match the information sheet entirely. Some that are meant to be a solid colour are striped and I have a purple wire that doesn't correspond to anything. Does anyone know what this might be for? I have messaged the seller who might be able to provide an answer.

 

[thunder_taz]

MORE PROBLEMS....

One of the wires was the wrong colour. It appears that what should have been the brown wire pin 19) which is the battery connection was actually purple on my clocks. This is supposed the maintain power to the gauges to keep time correct, but when I turn off the ignition, the clocks are dead and when I turn the ignition back on, the time is reset.

I spent ages looking for the red wire which +5v even though I am not sure what this is for. I then realised that maybe it should have been spliced with the red wire for the speedo sensor like the blue wire. Lo and behold, no splice on the red speedo wire, so I spliced it myself, though I am not sure what the red wire is supposed to connect to as there is already a wire for a switched positive (black), which I have connected to the live that powered the motor on the rev counter.

Thirdly, the ring of LED's that is supposed to light up in sync with rev counter needle is not working!!!

I have contacted the seller to see if I am doing anything wrong, though I don't beleive I am.

 

[thunder_taz]

Sorted out a couple of problems which were down to me being a numpty. I sorted out how to change the cylinder number after I read the instructions properly.

The red wire I spliced didn't need splicing as that is just the positive feed to the hall sensor.

However, the direct battery connection is still a problem. I have tried connecting this directly to a spare battery and the gauge comes on for a second and then goes off again. As I understand it the clock is meant to be permanently on.

I have contacted the seller who said to return it if faulty, but I don't want to have to wait for the gauge to get back to the seller and then another one sent out as they are coming from China, so I will just do without the clock and the LED's that should light up with the rev counter. Now I need to order the magnetic disc bolts to get the speedo working!!

 

[Selena]

I am beginning to think that these gauges are more trouble than they are worth

They may be cheap(er) than the KOSO's but as you say Taz, you don't want to have to send them back and wait for another set from China. Yours don't seem to be working properly and neither are mine.

My mate has explained that he is very reluctant to try to connect any more wires without a proper wiring diagram for the clocks - He doesn't want to damage the clocks or the wiring on my bike if he makes a mistake, so thats fair enough. So I am stuck with no rev counter and an inaccuarate speedo and odo. Past caring at the moment - I will just have to carry on looking for the answers/wiring diagram but the bike runs without the clocks working properly, so that will have to do for now.

 

[thunder_taz]

My rev counter seems to be working OK off the stock wire for the OEM gauges, but with one quirk.

On the Ace it has a diagnostic tool which works through the rev counter. It will move the rev counter needle and keep it there for a few seconds to indicate the fault. 8K indicates a problem with the fuel system. In my case it threw up the code because I no longer had the original fuel warning bulb wired in!!!

Now on the default setting of 1 cylinder it ran to 8K. Now I amended the cylinders to 2 (4 cylinders, but 2 coils) and it indicated 4K which is not an error code!!!!.

I am having problems getting the bike started at the mo so I don't know if it will behave differently when actually running, though I don't see why it should. I am going to order some magnetic disc bolts and see how I go with the speedo.

I will set it up as per instructions and then use the GPS on my phone to fine tune it until it is correct by increaring/decreasing wheel size.

 

[Dagarjus]

I read all the thread because I am very interested in one of this speedometers.
I see them nice and cheap.
If I do not understand bad, the rpm wire should be connected to the pulse generator, called pickup coil, I am right?
This is the pickup coil for my bike, the little sensor with two wires, green and blue, they have current AC with 1,5 volts to 6 volts accelerating.

Where should the rpm wire be connected? to the blue, to the Green or it does not matter.
Thanks

 

[Selena]

I'm sorry Dagarjus but you are asking the wrong person. If I had any idea how to wire them, I wouldn't have started this thread in the first place.

 

[diazarusmc]

Damn I was thinking about getting one of the Koso digital clocks but it seems like more trouble than its worth.

 

[Dagarjus]

Did you try to connect to one of these wires Green or blue?
I did not try because I am waiting for my speedometer from china, I ordered one on ebay
The seller told me to connect it to the pick-up coil ( the Little sensor of the picture) , I think it does not matter wich one because they are AC (positive and negative frecuency) and this speddometer work with negative signal
Hope you can make it work

 

[dogmeatk]

Did you try to connect to one of these wires Green or blue?
I did not try because I am waiting for my speedometer from china, I ordered one on ebay
The seller told me to connect it to the pick-up coil ( the Little sensor of the picture) , I think it does not matter wich one because they are AC (positive and negative frecuency) and this speddometer work with negative signal
Hope you can make it work

It is not AC. It does matter which wire you connect it to. Easy way to determine which one is just touch the bare wire end to each and see which gives you a signal.

 

[scrappy610]

I know even with the koso gauge on the f2 there are problems getting a clean rpm signal. With the koso, they actually sale a filter that you hook up and it cleans the signal up from the tach signal. I haven't tried it yet but my idea if I order one of these for my bike is, if I can't get a clean signal, order the filter and try it. I think it's like 30 bucks or something. I have a link if anyone is interested, kinda hard to find on their website.

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[taylorjr]

Damn I was thinking about getting one of the Koso digital clocks but it seems like more trouble than its worth.

Another option that works really well is the Vapor by Trail Tech. Their 75-600 (or 752-600 for the black color) kit works really well for Japanese water cooled sport bikes. I've got one on my ZX7R and haven't had any sort of problems with it at all.

 

[thunder_taz]

Just discovered a problem which it seems is pretty common with all Chinese clocks. I have condensation on the inside of the clocks, so it looks like water is getting in. I have taken them off and brought them inside to give them a chance to dry out properly and then I will seal them up with clear silicone sealant.

 

[shotgun]

Do the old stick it in a bag of rice trick.

 

[RaZed1]

Damn I was thinking about getting one of the Koso digital clocks but it seems like more trouble than its worth.

This has been my thought as well. They look sweet, and I don't really like the digital bar tach on my Z, but they seem like a royal hassle to install and get everything working properly.