Topic: Oil Level & Temperature Dipstick with Lighted LCD Readout (Read 4475 times)

dm930 · « **on:** November 17, 2016, 06:25:34 PM »

Does anyone use this product and is it effective? Thinking of getting one. I don't have to go with Harley Brand either.
I read reviews that they do not last and are inaccurate.

http://houseofharley.com/harley-davidson-and-reg-oil-level-and-temperature-dipstick-with-lighted-lcd-readout-chrome-62955-09A.html

dm930 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2016, 06:26:12 PM »

Another view.

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2016, 06:33:43 PM »

This subject hasn't come up for a while but if you try the search function you will find several threads. They don't last. I thought they were cool and have had a couple. They don't last.

FlaHeatWave · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2016, 06:35:36 PM »

Been through three of them on two different bikes...
Two of them did not last a year, The Other one crapped out within 16 months.
I've wasted some money on Harleys over the years but these POS take the cake...

Royalroadie · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2016, 07:11:23 PM »

I am on my 4th unit got two of them replaced by HD. This is in the past 2 1/2 years. I have found that if the head of the unit gets wet it will fail with in a month our two. I usually put a cup over them if it is going to be washed or I am parked in the rain for awhile. The one that have fail had gotten very wet. If you are riding in the rain the engine heat solves the moisture problem. It has alway happened when I forgot and washed or left it out in the rain without covering it. You will see condensation form on the Lcd window. That being said they have done a redesign on them about 4 months ago. I have had such problems with high oil temps I just can not see living without one. As for accuracy the one I have had were within 1-2* of spot on up too 300*. If you have a hot bike you might want one. If not forget it.

dm930 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2016, 07:14:41 PM »

Wow, between the bad reviews and these replies, I would never buy this. Wonder why they haven't tried to develop it some more though...

JerseyT · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2016, 07:53:22 PM »

Installed mine in 2009. Replaced battery once a few years ago. Still working perfectly. No issues with rain or water.

Para Bellum · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2016, 09:57:56 PM »

I installed one 3 years and 30K miles ago. Still works perfectly. Luck of the draw.

Mr D · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2016, 10:02:24 PM »

Read the rider reviews...
Parking lot bling if anything

http://mstore.harley-davidson.com/store/oil-level---temperature-dipstick---lighted-lcd-readout-pa-10-6300409--1#featuresTab

grc · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2016, 09:23:48 AM »

A long history of failures, and yet Harley keeps selling them and people keep buying them. Seems to be a theme at Harley.

If you want to know your oil temperature the best way is to find and install a real gauge. A temp sending unit screws into the oil pan (replacing the manufacturing plug) and the gauge can be mounted where you want. There used to be gauges made to fit the Harley dash that looked similar to the CVO gauges, but I'm pretty sure those are no longer available.

Since there isn't much you can do about the oil temps while riding down the highway, other than stop and shut it down, I decided a long time ago I really didn't want to know. There are enough other things to worry about, why add one more? Use a good synthetic motor oil in the correct grade and don't worry about it.

Jerry

havenolife · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2016, 10:14:37 AM »

me and a friend of mine both bought one with our new bikes june 2010 limited both have been grate with no problems and still the same battery

Road Dad · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2016, 11:06:55 AM »

I had a problem with one a long time ago, probably 7 years ago or so. No issues since then.

Quote from: havenolife on November 18, 2016, 10:14:37 AM

me and a friend of mine both bought one with our new bikes june 2010 limited both have been grate with no problems and still the same battery

bad00serg · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2016, 03:06:59 PM »

Has anyone ever used the temp this reads to do something "different" than they would have done when not knowing the oil temp?

Boatman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2016, 05:27:35 PM »

To the original OP and others have stated, don't waste your money. Have had two and both in trash. Each worked about 6 months until riding in rain and kaput. Took them apart to dry out but couldn't bring back to life. One was replaced under warranty.

TNCarters · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2016, 05:39:54 PM »

Had this gauge on my 2011 Ultra and worked ok for about a year. The oil level sensor quit but the oil temp is still working on the 2015 and actually pretty accurate. Now I just check the oil level the old fashion way and check the dipstick.

I'm sure it probably needs a battery after 5 years but don't want to push my luck taking it apart.

Royalroadie · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2016, 06:30:11 PM »

Quote from: bad00serg on November 18, 2016, 03:06:59 PM

Has anyone ever used the temp this reads to do something "different" than they would have done when not knowing the oil temp?

Yes, It caused me to purchase the Wards cooling fans, as well as an ultra cool fan assisted oil cooler which help for about 25-30* in total. If my bike gets over 275* I stop and let it cool.

Maczter · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2016, 10:17:57 AM »

Had one on my Ultra for 5-6 years, one dead battery in all that time, many washes and many rainstorms, no issues at all. Maybe I was lucky.

dm930 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 19, 2016, 10:20:24 AM »

When you guys all speak of batteries with respect to an oil temp gauge, are you saying that some has drawn power from the batteries and gone dead as a result of installing this item?

Fired00d · « **Reply #18 on:** November 19, 2016, 10:57:45 AM »

Quote from: dm930 on November 19, 2016, 10:20:24 AM

When you guys all speak of batteries with respect to an oil temp gauge, are you saying that some has drawn power from the batteries and gone dead as a result of installing this item?

They (oil temp/level gauge) have an internal battery that after time will need replacing.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

bakon · « **Reply #19 on:** December 02, 2016, 04:47:16 AM »

grc · « **Reply #20 on:** December 02, 2016, 08:48:16 AM »

If you're that worried about heat, take the money you would have wasted on that Harley dipstick and spend it on fans. The Wards head cooling fans have many supporters and excellent reviews, both product and customer service, and IMHO are the best looking option on the market as well. Then if you really get paranoid about oil temps, a better quality and capacity oil cooler with fan assist should eliminate your need to stay up nights worrying about your oil temperature. Or you could just ride the bike like folks have been doing for a century without adding any gauges or worrying about oil temps. Use high quality synthetic oil and change it when scheduled. Done!

Jerry

dm930 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 02, 2016, 09:48:52 PM »

Quote from: grc on December 02, 2016, 08:48:16 AM

If you're that worried about heat, take the money you would have wasted on that Harley dipstick and spend it on fans. The Wards head cooling fans have many supporters and excellent reviews, both product and customer service, and IMHO are the best looking option on the market as well. Then if you really get paranoid about oil temps, a better quality and capacity oil cooler with fan assist should eliminate your need to stay up nights worrying about your oil temperature. Or you could just ride the bike like folks have been doing for a century without adding any gauges or worrying about oil temps. Use high quality synthetic oil and change it when scheduled. Done!

Jerry

Wasn't too worried about the temp issue Jerry, just thought it was an attractive piece to get useful information out of... Always use Amsoil in schedule!

Author Topic: Oil Level & Temperature Dipstick with Lighted LCD Readout (Read 4475 times)