tbhall777 Posted May 16, 2001 Share Posted May 16, 2001 The latest Sppedometers fitted by caterham have a digital (LCD) adometer (mileometer / trip). Does anybody know the following. 1/ How is it driven. 2/ where is the pickup and is it active (powered), or passive. 3/ can you programme it for wheel circumference. 4/ Is the analogue speedometer moved by stepper motor or moving coil etc. 5/ Can it be hacked easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edzup Ezzer Posted May 16, 2001 Share Posted May 16, 2001 Given that Rover 25's and 45's also have LCD odometers then I would say that a word with an intelligent mechanic at your local Rover dealer might help throw some light on it. Just have to find a mech with some grey matter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhall777 Posted May 16, 2001 Author Share Posted May 16, 2001 So has my nissan mica. A rover dealer is not going to know the answers to the questions relating to a bespoke instrument, made for caterham by whoever, wether a badged generic item or not. i.e. Is the pickup wheel mounted, gearbox, propshaft. Err I dunno mate. i.e. Can it be programmed. Err I dunno mate.etc.etc. Thanks anyway. smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edzup Ezzer Posted May 16, 2001 Share Posted May 16, 2001 Point is that I presume the Caterham in question has a K series engine a la Rover 25. Some of your queries may well be common (pick-up location etc). Others may respond with real data - I was just making an observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhall777 Posted May 17, 2001 Author Share Posted May 17, 2001 No offence meant Eric. The vehicles may share a common engine, but that’s as far as it goes. The rover is front wheel drive transverse. The 7 is rear wheel drive, uses a totally different gearbox, with different ratios. The diff has a variety of ratios, wheel sizes, tires etc. The rover range could well be driven from the ECU, which in turn would have to be programmed for all of the above variables as well as knowing what gear the vehicle is in. They probably take it from the gearbox, but could take it from one of the ABS sensors, but I guess that’s silly, because ABS is probably an option. Caterham could have arranged it in such a way that all of these variables can be accommodated, probably the same as R500 /stack, which I think picks up from the gearbox and not for instance the front wheel disk bolts; as many do. But the stack is programmable and when correctly set will be very accurate. If the units are not programmable, then they must be O.E.M. configured for the seven. It could well be that they are literally a direct copy of the older mechanical type and just as inaccurate. I am pretty sure there is no flexible drive involved. They are driven by a signal. My guess is they use the standard array of speedo drive adapters for whatever gearbox and are not much better than the predecessors, although more reliable. Anyway:- Once again; Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Call the Westf1eld Factory. 01384 400077. Westf1elds have had the VDO digital speedo for years........ Where Westf1eld, lead C******m follow, and the list keeps getting longer blush.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Christ, if "since when were VDO gauges first used" is so important I suggest looking back quite a long way in Caterham's history... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Toooooo easy biggrin.gifwink.gif The advice still stands though, 'cos no-one (including me) seems to have any other good news for Mr Hall............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonwelton Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 I can dimly remember fitting mine, it connects to the 6 speed gearbox in the same place as the mechanical drive, though with a wire coming out rather than a cable. It's much easier to fit. I am sure there was something about it that gave me the impression it was set up for my car, though this is NOT done by different size gears unlike the mechanincal versions. It aslo differs in that it has 3 little lights built in, indicators, full beam and ignition, they are quite neat and move them away from between the dials on the dash board. The needle still doesn't move very smoothly, particularly at low speeds, though whether that means it's a stepper motor or not I couldn't tell. Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyDave Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 "Caterham could have arranged it in such a way that all of these variables can be accommodated, probably the same as R500 /stack, which I think picks up from the gearbox and not for instance the front wheel disk bolts; as many do. But the stack is programmable and when correctly set will be very accurate." actually you were correct first - its off the wheel bolts - and you can set the wheel diametre so ends up pretty accurate (but not when you first get it!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Circumference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 I know you're only fishing Blatman, but you could at least use some facts rather than just making up any old b*****ks. Do you work for a tabloid paper? wink.gif Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Having a bad day Mikequestion.gif Fact: Westf1eld have been using the electronic odo/speedo for quite a while. It would seem that C******m have just caught up, but I could be wrong........and why not phone the tech boys there. The advice will be good, and free.........apart from the cost of the call of course. Fact: Westf1eld produced a 'Blade engined car before C******m Fact: Westf1eld produced a "wide-bodied" car before C******m C******m have yet to catch up on rear suspension design....... Thus Where Westf1eld, lead C******m follow, and the list keeps getting longer tongue.gif Or have I just bitten too fast and too hardsmile.gif Retires to nomex bunker waiting for the next napalm........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyDave Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 thanks Andy, I'll consider that a black mark at school! I know what I meant - even if I didn't say it :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Blatman .... if w*******d are sooooo good then **** off to their own site !! and yes I am having a bad day !! Edited by - Dave J on 17 May 2001 17:18:36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Ooh look, now I've hooked one... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 wink.gif I knew what you meant too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FH Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Boys, boys, boys - be nice with your mice thumbsup.gif Otherwise Anna and I will take away your toys and give you all Saxo's instead - then you'd be well and truly s****ed blush.gif FH wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhill Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 The pick wheel up for the new spedo is the same as the old one. There's a gear in the tail of the 'box, which drives a transducer, which connects to the spedo via a simple electrical connector. This transducer replaces the previously mechanical 'angle' drive, which then connected to the spedo via the cable with the turny thing inside. The gear in the tail of the 'box is different for different diff ratios, brown being the one for the 3.62 diff. I don't know what the colours are for other diff ratios, but know this is the way it's done as I spoke to the factory about it when mine seemed difficult to locate ("hit it harder with the mallet"). Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Bugger biggrin.gif I surrender......... Dave J...........I'm on "my" site simultaniously........ Tomorrow is another day, and the weather will be bettersmile.gifthumbsup.gif Truce flag waving. You'll see it, if you can catch me.......tongue.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhall777 Posted May 17, 2001 Author Share Posted May 17, 2001 OK so now we know. It's basic not programmable for circumference and will indicate somwhere in the ballpark of legality. If you where to change from say 14" to 13" wheels and perhaps 60 to 50 profile tyres; you would end up having to do some calculation / phone caterham; then buy a new gearbox transducer, which would be a compromise. i.e. reading 28mph at 30mph but better than 35mph at 30mph. I personally think it's a shame it is not programmable for circumference as it would have done away with brown, ping, red with brown spots adaptors and would be accurate and accomadate any configuration. Best to go to Halfords and buy a cycle computer, which has this and a host of other functionality. Thanks for all the input. Now Blat Off. smile.gifthumbsup.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted May 18, 2001 Share Posted May 18, 2001 Aw, so no fishing today then? I rather enjoyed yesterday's catch tongue.gif Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 18, 2001 Share Posted May 18, 2001 Yeah yeah..........smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted May 18, 2001 Share Posted May 18, 2001 I take it the memory chip is a non voilitile type? Ie if you unplug it it will not reset to zero? Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesm Posted May 18, 2001 Share Posted May 18, 2001 i am currently on my third electronic speedo after various problems with lights/accuracy etc.. as far as i remember if you take the rubber grommet out of the back of the speedo there are a series of switches which can be altered to suit your combination of gearbox/diff/wheels. James M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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