Trail Tech alternatives (maybe) UPDATED REVIEW
Feb 11, 2016 22:35:31 GMT -5
90GTVert, FrankenMech, and 3 more like this
Post by gsx600racer on Feb 11, 2016 22:35:31 GMT -5
I know a lot of us here like the Trail Tech digital tachometer/hour & temp gauges. We all wished thay had replaceable battery's and were back light.
I stumbled over this for those that might be interested in a less expensive alternative and had all the features we wanted.
First, hour/tachometer.
www.run-leader.com/index.php?product/info/11/196/202/99
Ebay link. $22.94 free shipping.
www.ebay.com/itm/Inductive-Tachometer-Hour-meter-w-Maint-Reminder-For-Spark-Ignition-Engines-/281766842161
Second, Temp/Tach/Hour
www.run-leader.com/index.php?product/info/11/196/225/129
Ebay link. $38.99 free shipping.
www.ebay.com/itm/Hour-Meter-tachometer-Temp-gauge-Honda-Yamaha-Suzuki-KTM-Dirtbike-engine-motor-/272094396538
The only drawback to this as it only shows either tach or temp and not both at the same time. I don't know if it alternates between both automatically.
Note to all, select the mfg link for product specs, the ebay links gives very little info.
I am thinking of getting both to test/use, will report back if so.
Also wondering if anyone here has tried them.
Update 02/12/2016. I received both gauges today.
Tach/Hour meter.
My likes (Pro's) It is a little larger than the Trail Tech. LCD is much easier to read(display about 2x larger) Great for us visually impaired folks. The lead wires are 66 inches long. Should work for a horizontal engine, but a tad short for the vertical engines. Battery was included(and replaceable). You can set service reminder(hours). Instructions were straight forwards for a china product that gets translated to english. For what you pay, not a bad deal.
My dislikes(Con's) Wish the lead wires were longer. It uses a 2 wires, one to ground and one to sparkBack light is nice, but only stays on for about 3 seconds the shuts off. Does not stay on if it senses engine running. Does not cycle from max RPM/Current RPM while engine is running. You have to select manually. Over rev indicator(which is adjustable) is just an indicator on the display and not easy to see.
Temp/Tach/Hour meter.
Uuugh where to start.
First the temperature range. I did test with heat gun, It went to 302 then error-ed out(over range). You do have an option to select the higher sensor, but it needs to be connected to the higher temp sensor to store/save it(it auto magically defaults to lower range temp sensor) I did order the Trail Tech stand alone 14mm sensor to see if the higher range temp sensor works.(on its way) Seems the PT-100(high range) sensor is an industry standard(-20℃ - +300℃/-4℉ - +572℉). Have not found a decent price US source but overseas(china) you can get 10 for 20 bucks with free shipping on ebay. You will have to build your own setup tho.
For the rest of the cons.
Wires from the gauge to the connectors was about 16 inches. From the connector to the temp sensor 25 inches.(41 inches total) This REALLY sucked(if you are mounting on your handle bars). You will have to add to cable to reach your engine unless you are mounting between your legs on the seat. From the plug to batter connections was 39 inches(55 inches total) You might make it to your batter but don't hold your breath. My guess is if you connect it to your ignition or under gauges & plastics the cable length should be fine. The tach cable was 45 inches(total 61 inches). Again it might reach for horizontal engines, for verticals forget it. The time is in 24 hour format and could not change to 12 hour format.
The adjustable over rev indicator was hard to see(same a tach/hour meter). It did not come with the red cable splices that was shown on the products web site.
What I thought it was lacking is batter voltage indicator. Think about it, you are given the option to use an external power source(12v) why not have it show voltage too.
(Id pay a few buck more for the feature)
The pros.
The good new is the back light WILL come on and stay on when scooter is running IF you are using the external batter source cable. It will shut off in 10 seconds when it senses the engine has stopped running. It is a little larger than the Trail Tech. LCD is much easier to read(display about 2x larger) Again great for us visually impaired folks. Battery was included(and replaceable). You can set service reminder(hours), rev limit warning too. Instructions were straight forwards for a china product that gets translated to english.
Overall not a bad deal for what you pay and what you get. I say this because I think this product was originally marketed/designed more towards the people that do powered paragliding. The engines are usually liquid cooled(low temp range) and the engine is strapped on your back(short leads). Iv seen this product and several sites that cater to this sport/hobby. Maybe some day we can get a version for scooters.
By all means this was not intended to bash Trail Tech, this was more for the people that are building on a budget. I love my Trail Tech setup(rpm/temp), but $40 for each gauge another $10 for the temp sensor extension we are at 90 bucks which some day the battery will die in both, for another 35 bucks you can get a Vapor with all the bell and whistles. I want to gauge all my scooters some day but @ $100 factoring in some shipping, you start looking at cheaper alternatives.
I hope this helps some, and for those are disappointed with the temp range(302 max), well I am still working on a inexpensive solution.
03/04/2016 My Final update.(maybe)
After a couple weeks waiting I finally received the PT-100 bare sensor. They were 5 for $10 with free shipping on Amazon.
The only thing I did not like was the leads had no insulation on them.
I set this up to test A: see if they worked, B: if they went to the higher temp range
The good news, they worked, gauge automatically switched to the PT-100 temp sensor option.
It also registered above the 302 degree max(included temp sensor).
Just one little thing I did notice. When you are only using the built in battery, the temp refresh rate is about every 8 seconds. When you connect it to your scooters battery, the refresh rate is about .5 seconds as advertised in specs.
I cannibalize the included sensor for connector and spark plug sensor holder. I made my own harness using grey satin phone cord. It was the only with I could find in my stash that was small gauged and was flexible to my liking. I tried to solder with plumbing solder but the sensor housing would not tin its self. I ended up crimping the sensor holder to the sensor and used JB weld to mechanically hold it in place after wrapping it in heat shrink tubing.
Going to have to wait till it warms up, and run it side by side with the trail tech to see if there is any difference between the two.
On the look out for 1 pair silicon wire, 28-32awg.(the wire that runs form the gauge to temp sensor on the trail tech gauge) If anyone knows of a source give me a shout.
I stumbled over this for those that might be interested in a less expensive alternative and had all the features we wanted.
First, hour/tachometer.
www.run-leader.com/index.php?product/info/11/196/202/99
Ebay link. $22.94 free shipping.
www.ebay.com/itm/Inductive-Tachometer-Hour-meter-w-Maint-Reminder-For-Spark-Ignition-Engines-/281766842161
Second, Temp/Tach/Hour
www.run-leader.com/index.php?product/info/11/196/225/129
Ebay link. $38.99 free shipping.
www.ebay.com/itm/Hour-Meter-tachometer-Temp-gauge-Honda-Yamaha-Suzuki-KTM-Dirtbike-engine-motor-/272094396538
The only drawback to this as it only shows either tach or temp and not both at the same time. I don't know if it alternates between both automatically.
Note to all, select the mfg link for product specs, the ebay links gives very little info.
I am thinking of getting both to test/use, will report back if so.
Also wondering if anyone here has tried them.
Update 02/12/2016. I received both gauges today.
Tach/Hour meter.
My likes (Pro's) It is a little larger than the Trail Tech. LCD is much easier to read(display about 2x larger) Great for us visually impaired folks. The lead wires are 66 inches long. Should work for a horizontal engine, but a tad short for the vertical engines. Battery was included(and replaceable). You can set service reminder(hours). Instructions were straight forwards for a china product that gets translated to english. For what you pay, not a bad deal.
My dislikes(Con's) Wish the lead wires were longer. It uses a 2 wires, one to ground and one to sparkBack light is nice, but only stays on for about 3 seconds the shuts off. Does not stay on if it senses engine running. Does not cycle from max RPM/Current RPM while engine is running. You have to select manually. Over rev indicator(which is adjustable) is just an indicator on the display and not easy to see.
Temp/Tach/Hour meter.
Uuugh where to start.
First the temperature range. I did test with heat gun, It went to 302 then error-ed out(over range). You do have an option to select the higher sensor, but it needs to be connected to the higher temp sensor to store/save it(it auto magically defaults to lower range temp sensor) I did order the Trail Tech stand alone 14mm sensor to see if the higher range temp sensor works.(on its way) Seems the PT-100(high range) sensor is an industry standard(-20℃ - +300℃/-4℉ - +572℉). Have not found a decent price US source but overseas(china) you can get 10 for 20 bucks with free shipping on ebay. You will have to build your own setup tho.
For the rest of the cons.
Wires from the gauge to the connectors was about 16 inches. From the connector to the temp sensor 25 inches.(41 inches total) This REALLY sucked(if you are mounting on your handle bars). You will have to add to cable to reach your engine unless you are mounting between your legs on the seat. From the plug to batter connections was 39 inches(55 inches total) You might make it to your batter but don't hold your breath. My guess is if you connect it to your ignition or under gauges & plastics the cable length should be fine. The tach cable was 45 inches(total 61 inches). Again it might reach for horizontal engines, for verticals forget it. The time is in 24 hour format and could not change to 12 hour format.
The adjustable over rev indicator was hard to see(same a tach/hour meter). It did not come with the red cable splices that was shown on the products web site.What I thought it was lacking is batter voltage indicator. Think about it, you are given the option to use an external power source(12v) why not have it show voltage too.
(Id pay a few buck more for the feature)The pros.
The good new is the back light WILL come on and stay on when scooter is running IF you are using the external batter source cable. It will shut off in 10 seconds when it senses the engine has stopped running. It is a little larger than the Trail Tech. LCD is much easier to read(display about 2x larger) Again great for us visually impaired folks. Battery was included(and replaceable). You can set service reminder(hours), rev limit warning too. Instructions were straight forwards for a china product that gets translated to english.
Overall not a bad deal for what you pay and what you get. I say this because I think this product was originally marketed/designed more towards the people that do powered paragliding. The engines are usually liquid cooled(low temp range) and the engine is strapped on your back(short leads). Iv seen this product and several sites that cater to this sport/hobby. Maybe some day we can get a version for scooters.
By all means this was not intended to bash Trail Tech, this was more for the people that are building on a budget. I love my Trail Tech setup(rpm/temp), but $40 for each gauge another $10 for the temp sensor extension we are at 90 bucks which some day the battery will die in both, for another 35 bucks you can get a Vapor with all the bell and whistles. I want to gauge all my scooters some day but @ $100 factoring in some shipping, you start looking at cheaper alternatives.
I hope this helps some, and for those are disappointed with the temp range(302 max), well I am still working on a inexpensive solution.
03/04/2016 My Final update.(maybe)
After a couple weeks waiting I finally received the PT-100 bare sensor. They were 5 for $10 with free shipping on Amazon.
The only thing I did not like was the leads had no insulation on them.
I set this up to test A: see if they worked, B: if they went to the higher temp range
The good news, they worked, gauge automatically switched to the PT-100 temp sensor option.
It also registered above the 302 degree max(included temp sensor).
Just one little thing I did notice. When you are only using the built in battery, the temp refresh rate is about every 8 seconds. When you connect it to your scooters battery, the refresh rate is about .5 seconds as advertised in specs.
I cannibalize the included sensor for connector and spark plug sensor holder. I made my own harness using grey satin phone cord. It was the only with I could find in my stash that was small gauged and was flexible to my liking. I tried to solder with plumbing solder but the sensor housing would not tin its self. I ended up crimping the sensor holder to the sensor and used JB weld to mechanically hold it in place after wrapping it in heat shrink tubing.
Going to have to wait till it warms up, and run it side by side with the trail tech to see if there is any difference between the two.
On the look out for 1 pair silicon wire, 28-32awg.(the wire that runs form the gauge to temp sensor on the trail tech gauge) If anyone knows of a source give me a shout.
