Tony Martyr Posted December 8, 2001 Share Posted December 8, 2001 I have now commissioned the direct speedo replacement using a VDO 80mm display and magnetic pulse sender; all supplied by Merlin Motorsport. It works very well, calibration was done via a GPS unit after getting the pulse/distance setting somewhere near (directions are suppled with the unit) The motion is more damped than the original and the dial illumination is much better. Dual miles and km per hour display The four magnets are epoxy glued to the prop shaft. Emery off the paint then use the hooks joints to give 90 degree points and etch the area with a scriber before glueing each one in turn letting it cure at the top (one magnetic per evening) The pick up braket is made out of 2 mm aluminium strip and is pot rivetted into place. The sender/magnet gap is set at about 1 mm. All seems to work very well. Now I can block up the speedo drive spindle that leaks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Dent Posted December 8, 2001 Share Posted December 8, 2001 Tony I have take out the speedo drive from my 6 speed box, and was wondering how to block the hole. Dave K tells me Quaife do a fitment that is meant for the job. Dont have a part number yet, but willl work on it and let you know. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted December 8, 2001 Share Posted December 8, 2001 Tony, If you had a photo of the display set up on the dash,I would be interested to see it. Also, what is the cost? I currently use a bicycle computer which works very well, but no lighting at night. Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaus Loske Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 Hi, I have also installed the VDO speedo. I have the continental version up to 200km/h. Instead of using the magnet on the prop shaft, I have installed a hall sensor which bolts on the original speedo cable. I also used GPS to calibrate it. It is really nice because you can re-calibrate it when using a new diff ratio. I have a very short diff (4.4:1) and there is no suitable mechanical speedo angle drive. VDO would charge me a lot of money to calibrate the mechanical speedo so in fact it was almost cheaper to get the electronic speedo. I am setting up my website to include some pictures. In the meantime, anybody who would like the pics can send me a mail kloske@aol.com and I will mail them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaus Loske Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 Hi, I have also installed the VDO speedo. I have the continental version up to 200km/h. Instead of using the magnet on the prop shaft, I have installed a hall sensor which bolts on the original speedo cable. I also used GPS to calibrate it. It is really nice because you can re-calibrate it when using a new diff ratio. I have a very short diff (4.4:1) and there is no suitable mechanical speedo angle drive. VDO would charge me a lot of money to calibrate the mechanical speedo so in fact it was almost cheaper to get the electronic speedo. I am setting up my website to include some pictures. In the meantime, anybody who would like the pics can send me a mail kloske@aol.com and I will mail them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Martyr Posted December 10, 2001 Author Share Posted December 10, 2001 Andrew - I was going to get an 'o' ring sealed plug made with the same retention collar as the existing drive unit so that the same circlip can be used, but I intended to retain the drive spindle (unless I had to get the engine out for other reasons) and simply make to plug hollow and long enough to cover the spindle. Please let me know details of the proprietary unit Pierre: it was not cheap, I think total cost will be cira 240 pounds which I can only justify by a greatly improved display and stopping the chronic oil leak from the gearbox drive spindle. I can send you a JPEG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 Tony, Great article in LF!! Could I have a copy of the jpeg too please? alex@alexwong.net Thanks Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 Tony, DITTO, Best Regards, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted December 11, 2001 Share Posted December 11, 2001 Tony, Klaus, when you say that calibration was done using a GPS unit, what do you mean exactly? Does it mean I would have to buy such unit in addition to the VDO system? Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted December 11, 2001 Share Posted December 11, 2001 Anyone knows the Merlin Motorsport web site? Thanks a lot, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaus Loske Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 GPS calibration: You do not really need a GPS to calibrate the speedo. To calibrate the speedo, you have to enter calibratio mode and then drive the car for 1km or 1mile (depending on your dial). By doing that, the speedo will count the pulses for the distance. I used a handheld GPS to measure 1km but you can also for example use another cars speedo to measure 1km or maybe a bicycle. Handheld GPS just makes it easier. Klaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 "use another cars speedo" How do you know any other cars speedo is accurate?? They are generally not. GPS is the only way to set up any form of electronic speedo and get totally linear speed readings. Fat Arn The NOW PROVEN R500 Eaterid=red> See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website hereid=green> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanteam Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Pierre, You'll find it here (maybe)here If not it's http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk Regards Naomi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Many Thanks Naomi. Regards, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Martyr Posted December 14, 2001 Author Share Posted December 14, 2001 Calibration of speedo. There are 3 methods: You can calculate the pulses per unit distance of travel and put that into the unit as a pulse count. You can use a run over a calibrated kilometre or mile by pressing the button at start and finish, or you can adjust the speed indication at a fixed speed which is designed to be done on a rolling road. I calculated the pulses and found that the indicated speed was 15% lower than actual so I fine tuned using a GPS unit. It would be best to have a passenger helping during this procedure but I was blest with an empty road. There are regulations govening speedo readings that state that it is illegal to have the actual speed higher than indicated speed and the average industrial setting is about 4 percent optimistic. Mine is about bang on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted December 14, 2001 Share Posted December 14, 2001 Andrew, why have you taken the drive out of the 6 spd box? If you are worried about it, you can grind the teeth off the cog so it doesn't turn. Makes a great plug for the hole! Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Haighton Posted December 16, 2001 Share Posted December 16, 2001 You can always use your local measured mile to set up the speedo. You may find that your local IAM or RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association, or local taxi firms, will know the whereabouts. Police use them too, so you may find one on a long straight road near to the local police HQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Dent Posted December 16, 2001 Share Posted December 16, 2001 Graham it was MR Leaky and was the source of any gearbox oil on my garage floor. Im sure I can block the hole up without too many problems. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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