2008-03-29 - CA - San Diego - ST GPI Install

[scoutdriver73]

A couple of us are getting together to build/install Gear Position Indicators (GPI) on Saturday, 29 March 08 at 10am. I wanted to invite all in the area to come on down and join the party.

1483 Broadway
El Cajon, CA 92021

Google Map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1483+broadway+92021&sll=32.7157,-117.16172&sspn=0.629707,1.208496&ie=UTF8&ll=32.806178,-116.934528&spn=0.039317,0.075531&z=14)

One of our members, Pdfruth, developed the hardware/software needed for the install. More info can be found here (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33002) http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33002 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33002)


If you are unsure weather you can tackle this project on your own, this is the perfect opportunity to get one built/installed.


Pdfruth was kind enough to stock up on all the necessary parts. You can order a kit of what you need from him. If you have a soldering iron and other tools, bring what is convenient. I have a complete set of tools, but if very many people show up, waiting for a tool may be frustrating.

If you plan to come, please post in this thread.

Thanks,
Joe

[Marshal_Mercer]

I'll be there!

Marshal

[John Anthony]

Good show!!

Curmudgeon joined me for my install and the combination of his skills and someone to bounce installation ideas off of made this a fun project. Be sure to post pix. of your function.

John

[jnsgardner]

I have a Datatool Digi gear position indicator that I've never used because I was afraid of doing the wiring. If I showed up with it on the 29th, do you suppose it could be modified or just correctly installed? I've seen instructions on the MSN site about how to take it apart, solder in a smaller number plate, and install it next to the high beam blue light. Could something like that be done on the 29th? If not, then just wiring in the Datatool indicator would be good enough. The indicator cost close to $100. I hate to see it go to waste just sitting on the workbench.

John

[jnsgardner]

I finally got around to reading all 17 pages of posts. Maybe my Datatool DiGi isn't the way to go. It has a 1" display. The smaller displays look better as they match the other digits on the panel. If I ordered everything from Pdfruth and brought them with me on the 29th, could I actually drive home with a working GPI in amongst the idiot lights?

John

[scoutdriver73]

I finally got around to reading all 17 pages of posts. Maybe my Datatool DiGi isn't the way to go. It has a 1" display. The smaller displays look better as they match the other digits on the panel. If I ordered everything from Pdfruth and brought them with me on the 29th, could I actually drive home with a working GPI in amongst the idiot lights?

John

I don't know much about the datatool, but at the least we could get it installed. More than likely it would not be a problem to remote an LED into the panel with the idot lights. If you order the parts from pdfruth, you could definately leave with a working GPI. If you want to install in the dash, I would recommend ording the .56" LED instead of the .8" LED that pdfruth has. The part number is SA56-11SRWA. It would also be best to use this LED with the Datatool Digi if you wanted to install in the instrument cluster.

[Marshal_Mercer]

A couple of us are getting together to build/install Gear Position Indicators (GPI) on Saturday, 29 March 08 at 10am. I wanted to invite all in the area to come on down and join the party.

Thanks,
Joe
Giant smile here!

Marshal

Added Pan-European faceplate mod on 04/27/2008.

[st13fundred]

Giant smile here!

Marshal

Marshal, LOOKS GREAT!! Where did you locate the little PIC box?

How about some details on the install party.

Did you guys use Pat's new PCB's?

Inquiring minds want to know :D

Matt

[Marshal_Mercer]

Marshal, LOOKS GREAT!! Where did you locate the little PIC box?

How about some details on the install party.

Did you guys use Pat's new PCB's?

Inquiring minds want to know :D

Matt
Matt:

I'm going to let Joe provide the photos and comentary except as follows: the project box was Velcoed to an area just below the front cowl, near the electric windshield's adjustment tracks. Pat Fruth provided the Velcro in his kit.

No, Joe used Pat's Bread Board instead; I have the PCB on order from Pat, though. Version 1.3 of the IC code was used, FWIW.

The party was a party of two, and it was a blast! Kudos to Joe, his wife, and to Benjamin (aged 10 months) for their great hospitality and kindness.

Marshal

[Klackey]

that looks great, I just need to get all the other projects done so I can do this one..... I want one!

[Marshal_Mercer]

that looks great, I just need to get all the other projects done so I can do this one..... I want one!
Klackey:

This thing is very distracting, in a good way! I was watching mine every time I shifted gears -- and some times that I wasn't. It is a "smile enhancing" device! Make that: giant grin enhancing.

Marshal

[Klackey]

Ok, Ok ....... I just may have to move it it up to the top of the "to do" list. What size LED readout did you use? Did you order the parts "kit" or did assemble the parts yourself?

[st13fundred]

This thing is very distracting, in a good way! I was watching mine every time I shifted gears -- and some times that I wasn't. It is a "smile enhancing" device! Make that: giant grin enhancing.

A couple months ago, I bought the preprogrammed PIC, laser-cut translucent box (for the LED), and the big LED. I haven't done anything yet because I'm working my last winter farkle, the cruise control install (using your Goldwing controls doc & other info).

Now I'm glad I waited.. you guys and your in-dash installation, and Pat's new pre-made PCBs. And I'm not sure what rev. is installed on my PIC. I need to write Pat to see what he's offering these days (hardware & software).

Finally, is the GPI working as well as you hoped? Is it bright/dim enough? Can you fool it, say, if you shift twice/three times with the clutch pulled in? In other words, has it ever showed the wrong gear? I've been waiting to see how it worked with other riders, and their unique driving/shifting habits. Please know I'm NOT trying to be the devil's advocate with my questions, I want it to work (I'm pro DIY GPI!! :-))

Matt

[Marshal_Mercer]

A couple months ago, I bought the preprogrammed PIC, laser-cut translucent box (for the LED), and the big LED. I haven't done anything yet because I'm working my last winter farkle, the cruise control install (using your Goldwing controls doc & other info).

Now I'm glad I waited.. you guys and your in-dash installation, and Pat's new pre-made PCBs. And I'm not sure what rev. is installed on my PIC. I need to write Pat to see what he's offering these days (hardware & software).

Finally, is the GPI working as well as you hoped? Is it bright/dim enough? Can you fool it, say, if you shift twice/three times with the clutch pulled in? In other words, has it ever showed the wrong gear? I've been waiting to see how it worked with other riders, and their unique driving/shifting habits. Please know I'm NOT trying to be the devil's advocate with my questions, I want it to work (I'm pro DIY GPI!! :-))

Matt
Matt:

I'll take the questions in order.
Yes, the GPI works exactly as expected.

It is programmed to be bright in daylight, and dim in dark areas. A photo resistor is used to sense the threshold between the two states. This is a "learned" function, provided by you when you "teach" the device.

As far as I know, there is no way to fool the GPI into thinking that you are in one gear while displaying another, with one exception. The pulse counter gathers 64 pulses (IIRC) from the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) before evaluating for the gear that you are in. As the VSS outputs fewer signals when you are in first gear, when you shift to second there may be a brief pause where a "1" is shown instead of a "2", then the "2" is displayed. Reaching a higher speed in first gear reduces the lag. In other words, if one does not short-shift from first to second, you probably won't even see the lag. Since the device is "taught" what gear one is in by reading the VSS, placing the bike onto the center stand, allowing the bike to "idle", and selecting each gear to "learn" forces the lowest probable signal speed per gear. Unless one rides at below "idle" speed, there is no way that the GPI could read the wrong gear. Neutral gear produces a "neutral" signal, seen at the stock, green, "neutral" LED on the dash.

Pulling-in the clutch reads the clutch switch signal; a "-" is displayed. Neutral is "0".

Your healthy dose of skepticism is welcomed and appreciated.

Marshal

[Marshal_Mercer]

Ok, Ok ....... I just may have to move it it up to the top of the "to do" list. What size LED readout did you use? Did you order the parts "kit" or did assemble the parts yourself?
Klackey:

I ordered a 0.56 inch Kingbright LED from Mouser ($1.05 each). The kit that I ordered from Pat had an LED in it measuring about 0.8 inches; too big for my mounting location preference.

Marshal

[Klackey]

Marshal: Thanks that is the info I needed.

[st13fundred]

Marshal: Thanks that is the info I needed.

Ditto (for the replies to my questions above). Good info, much appreciated.

Matt

[scoutdriver73]

Marshal, thanks for coming down. I had a blast.

Here some of the pictures that I took.

As far as installation, we followed the directions that Pat Fruth supplied with two major deviations.
1. We installed the LED with the idiot lights.
2. We picked the VSS signal off the back of the instrument panel. For easy reference, it's the pink/green wire. See pictures for reference.

We mounted the learn switch on the main PCB since we didn't use the provided enclosure.

Pat provided everything needed in his kit, including a programmed PIC and wire. If you're going to install the LED with the idiot lights, then you'll have to use a smaller LED. We used a .56" LED. I posted the part number earlier.

Joe

[Marshal_Mercer]

Marshal, thanks for coming down. I had a blast.

<snip>

Joe
Joe:

Thanks for having me.

Great photos, as expected.

I ordered four of the Pan-European face plates from David Silver Spares today. Their name for the part is "GLASS ASSY *Y S-ORD". I have no idea how they came up with that name. The part number is 37601-MCS-E01, at a price of £3.56, each. We can create Pan-demonium with these babies.

Marshal