Thermometer (In)accuracy

[BravoBravo]

Has anybody else noticed their onboard thermometer seems to be wildly inaccurate, or is it just mine? This morning, when I was leaving for work, the weather network indicated the temperature was 4 degrees C. My S10 thermometer indicated all the way in that the ambient temperature was 16 C. My seat of the pants thermometer seemed to indicate that the weather network was a bit closer to the actual temp. It is consistently reading higher than the true temperature.

Just wondering.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[~TABASCO~]

O yea... Its with all the bikes... Ours down here can read 20*+ off..... I did an experiment over the summer by covering the whole air box in the DEI gold heat tape. After doing so my air box temps are very close (if not the same) as the ambient temp outside... If this is your goal, you might want to try the gold.... ::008::

 

[snakebitten]

Come on Jaxon......post the NASA pic!

 

[~TABASCO~]

I was going to, but got caught on the phone.. let me go find one...

 

[~TABASCO~]

Here is the gold and also, another mod..

 

[snakebitten]

I don't know what it is, but I want it.

That is just so cool looking. Thanks for posting.

 

[~TABASCO~]

If you get the gold roll, get the 2"X 30'... The dash temp is much more in line with reality... ::008::

 

[BravoBravo]

Cool! Thanks for the info. ::008::

-Bruce

 

[oilfield_trash]

I've found mine reads much hotter following the installation of my altrider skid plate. Once I'm moving a while it gets closer.

 

[MIKE R]

I've noticed when touring that the dash temp gauge (which takes it's measurement for the airbox) is a constant 3 degrees higher than air temperatures as indicated by the roadside thermometers. Obviously when parked and there is no airflow the dash gauge is way higher than the actual air temperature.

Mike

 

[thfraser]

That Tabasco air box is something special! I bet it keeps the aliens away!

I find that mine seems to run about 4 degrees F higher when I'm moving. However, when I'm sitting and idling or when I start the bike up after its been warmed up, my temperatures can be much higher, even as much as 20 degrees F.

 

[MIKE R]

Should have said that in the UK the temp is measured in Centigrade so it appears we are agreeing.

Mike

 

[BravoBravo]

Should have said that in the UK the temp is measured in Centigrade so it appears we are agreeing.

Mike

Same in Canada, Mike. ::008::

-Bruce

 

[Ironhand]

I don't know what it is, but I want it.

That is just so cool looking. Thanks for posting.

+1. That is one sexy airbox!

 

[joneil]

Just me asking a dumb question again: any concerns with this affecting the fuel injection? I know temps are one of the things the EFI monitors. Could that affect performance???

 

[avc8130]

The IAT is located IN the air box. Whatever temp the air is in the air box is what the ECU uses to adjust fueling.

ac

 

[Ironhand]

The IAT is located IN the air box. Whatever temp the air is in the air box is what the ECU uses to adjust fueling.

ac

Just to continue that thought, if we know that the IAT inside the airbox reads several degrees higher than actual ambient temps, wouldn't the EFI be able to more accurately adjust if the IAT read the same or as close to the same ambient temp possible? Sort of along the lines of a cold air intake without the actual cold air intake...

 

[Karson]

Good thought, but I think based upon whatever reading that sensor is getting is probably very close to what air temps the TB's are sucking up. They're very close in proximity.

So, in other words, the ECU is fueling correctly even if the sensor is off from the correct outside ambient air temps with an unmodded airbox.

Taping the airbox with that fancy tape lowers the internal temps to be more accurate with ambient outside temps, and your dash is a lot closer to correct temps. So it's really a win-win.

You'd need to drop $40-50 on tape and an afternoon of time.

 

[Don in Lodi]

And on that point, engines do like colder denser air, you get more O2 per cubic measurement. LOL, 3-5 degrees cooler ain't enough. And theoretically, in the Arctic, the engine warmed air box could be good for the engine, icing and all that... provided anybody rides around much when things go negative.