Electronic speedo fogging

[YING]

Does anyone with a Smiths electric speedo have a problem with fogging and if so any suggestions on how to cure?Mine clears within minutes and only happens during the summer months.
Thanks,Mike

 

[robs ss]

...don't breathe so heavily?

 

[YING]

...don't breathe so heavily?

I knew the solution was out there.

 

[robs ss]

Mike - no-one seems to be responding so (serious this time)...

Is it both speedo a tacho fogging up?
The moisture has to be coming from somewhere. Are all the sealing grommets intact?
If it were me, I'd pull it off and open it up as far as possible to dry out and then reassemble ensuring seals are all good.
It can't be good for the internals if moisture is trapped inside.
Cheers
Rob

 

[YING]

Mike - no-one seems to be responding so (serious this time)...

Is it both speedo a tacho fogging up?
The moisture has to be coming from somewhere. Are all the sealing grommets intact?
If it were me, I'd pull it off and open it up as far as possible to dry out and then reassemble ensuring seals are all good.
It can't be good for the internals if moisture is trapped inside.
Cheers
Rob

Rob,
It is just the speedo that fogs.Only in the summer months. I will try taking it off and see what my options are.Do you have any recommendations for what to use where the coated loom is held in place with a nut that holds it into the unit. I was thinking Hylomar blue after putting some low heat directed into the unit before attaching the nut.Your thoughts?
Thanks,Mike

 

[robs ss]

Rob,
It is just the speedo that fogs.Only in the summer months. I will try taking it off and see what my options are.Do you have any recommendations for what to use where the coated loom is held in place with a nut that holds it into the unit. I was thinking Hylomar blue after putting some low heat directed into the unit before attaching the nut.Your thoughts?
Thanks,Mike

Just pulled mine out to look
I really don't think you'd need any sealant there at all
Once properly dry(which evidently it is not) it should be fine. Is your boot over the bottom of the bucket in good order? I have a pair of Matt's CNC machined alloy buckets which have alloy "floors" in them, but not completely sealed.

Maybe contact the makers for advice?

Caerbont Automotive Instruments | Smiths Instruments

Design and manufacture of premium bespoke gauges and heritage Smiths Instruments for automotive, motorcycle and marine applications.

www.smiths-instruments.co.uk

Cheers

 

[kommando]

Common repair for damp electronics is to seal inside a bag of rice and leave for a few days with the seal removed so the moisture can be absorbed by the rice.

 

[YING]

Just pulled mine out to look
I really don't think you'd need any sealant there at all
Once properly dry(which evidently it is not) it should be fine. Is your boot over the bottom of the bucket in good order? I have a pair of Matt's CNC machined alloy buckets which have alloy "floors" in them, but not completely sealed.

Maybe contact the makers for advice?

Caerbont Automotive Instruments | Smiths Instruments

Design and manufacture of premium bespoke gauges and heritage Smiths Instruments for automotive, motorcycle and marine applications.

www.smiths-instruments.co.uk

Cheers

Rob,
I will try them again.Sent the speedo back to them once and it sat on his desk until I kept bothering him. I don’t know why it does this but will try Kommandos suggestion with the rice. I use the rubber boots which probably help.
Mike

 

[marinatlas]

It happens to me once , just after a heavy rain the smiths tacho stop working , hopefully send it it back to AN and they do their warrenty job ( I had bought only the tacho cause I had fitted it on my Seeley with a maney exhaust and cannot fit the mechanical smiths one ) .

 

[mdt-son]

Common repair for damp electronics is to seal inside a bag of rice and leave for a few days with the seal removed so the moisture can be absorbed by the rice.

Calcium chloride is more effective than rice. That's the salt inside moist absorber bags sold in most hardware stores.

-Knut

 

[Fast Eddie]

Maybe just tape a plastic bag around the clocks in situ, with some calcium chloride or some pre made absorber bags inside the bag?

Removing it, and dealing with the associated wiring, would be best avoided IMO !

 

[YING]

It happens to me once , just after a heavy rain the smiths tacho stop working , hopefully send it it back to AN and they do their warrenty job ( I had bought only the tacho cause I had fitted it on my Seeley with a maney exhaust and cannot fit the mechanical smiths one ) .

Marina,
The guys at CAI got back with me on this issue and suggested putting it face down on a boiler after loosening the nut on the back for a while. I got back to them to see if I could use another heat source. I will let you know when I hear back.
Mike
They just told me that I could use an oven but at very low heat so I will try that. I am pleased with them returning on my questions so quickly.60 degrees C.

 

[YING]

Maybe just tape a plastic bag around the clocks in situ, with some calcium chloride or some pre made absorber bags inside the bag?

Removing it, and dealing with the associated wiring, would be best avoided IMO !

Nigel,
I agree completely! I try to go into my headlight bucket as little as possible.
Mike

 

[concours]

Calcium chloride is more effective than rice. That's the salt inside moist absorber bags sold in most hardware stores.

-Knut

it's also corrosive. Battling corrosion on EVERYTHING automotive due to road salt has made me be very cautious. I would not bring that near any if my bikes.

 

[mdt-son]

it's also corrosive. Battling corrosion on EVERYTHING automotive due to road salt has made me be very cautious. I would not bring that near any if my bikes.

Concours, it's a salt, however not road salt, which is Sodium Chloride usually. True, Calcium Chloride is mildly corrosive if applied directly onto steel or aluminum. There is no danger of corrosion as long as the dissolved inorganic salt in water (i.e., the humidity we want to remove) is collected in a container or a plastic bag. It was never suggested to inject the salt into the instrument housing !

- Knut

 

[concours]

Concours, it's a salt, however not road salt, which is Sodium Chloride usually. True, Calcium Chloride is mildly corrosive if applied directly onto steel or aluminum. There is no danger of corrosion as long as the dissolved inorganic salt in water (i.e., the humidity we want to remove) is collected in a container or a plastic bag. It was never suggested to inject the salt into the instrument housing !

- Knut

Ok.
I have nothing further to add.