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Condensation in my Gauges?

17K views 33 replies 13 participants last post by  Eye_m_no_angel 
#1 ·
I understand the theory of why condensation occurs, but as an observation, I note that when the temperatures are modest, so perhaps 45° or so, condensation is apparent in my speedometer gauge on my Harley.

Of course, because of the nature of condensation, when it warms up, it goes away; but I'm wondering if there's a way to inhibit it, so that it does not occur at all?

It makes me wonder if the rubber seal between the lens and the speedometer itself is compromised, and needs replacing; or if, even with a very tight seal, it's still going to happen anyway (as I suspect), and there's nothing I can do about it?
 
#2 ·
The eye doctor gave me this anti-fogging spray with a new pair of glasses years ago, I remember trying on the inside of my car's windshield, and it definitely worked. I don't see why it wouldn't work on gauge glass too...
 
#4 ·
I think it happened on my Honda Shadows too, if I remember correctly.

As for the eyeglass spray, I agree. I don't see myself taking the gauges apart, in order to apply that spray.
 
#6 ·
If it were proven that the issue was the gaskets, yes. But I could see myself replacing the whole gauge anyway, if that were the case, because I would suspect the possibility of a short, due to the moisture content having a potential effect on the circuitry in some way.

For the record, I see nothing inoperative about the gauges.
 
#8 ·
Soupy is like a horny Walrus: He likes a good tight seal?

It happens on some bikes (Harley) but I've never seen it cause a problem. The seal you see around the speedo seals it into the dash and keep water from getting behind the speedo and causing problems in the wiring in the dash. It doesn't seal the speedometer itself. That's a sealed unit from the factory and, generally speaking, can't be opened.
 
#9 ·
Every Harley I've owned had at least one gauge that would fog up. One was warranted but it did the same thing a year later. I don't know who makes their gauges but they could sure use an improved seal. Or something.
 
#13 ·
The speedo on my FXD has done that since I rode over an hour in driving rain more than a year ago.

I haven't tried it yet but I am told that if you put the gauge in an oven at 200F for a day or two, it will drive the moisture out. The problem is that most ovens aren't very accurate and will fluctuate around the 200 degree setting. A convection oven may be more stable.

One of these days I will give it a try.
 
#16 ·
Yeah, once the bike is exposed to warmer temps it evaporates, 'tis true for sure.

Desiccant (the little bags) is a great idea, but I can't get the package inside the gauge where it would do the most good, and......if I got the gauge open, I'd just wipe the gauge dry.

I suppose my original question was more to discover how typical or chronic the problem was, Forum wide, and if anyone knew if bike manufacturers were making any recommendations about it, thru the Service Tech's we have in here.
 
#17 ·
I wonder if the unit actually is sealed, but the air that they sealed inside contains too much moisture, and then when it is cold enough to hit the dew point it condenses. If they were leaking and adding moisture I think the problem would get worse and worse as time went on.

If I was building gauges I'd purge and fill them with dry nitrogen and then seal them 100%, no moisture, no condensation, no oxygen so there would be no corrosion and no problems. I wonder if that's how some are made?
 
#19 ·
Its not an uncommon problem with bike gauges, regardless of brand of bike. It has to do with humidity changes and humidity getting trapped in the gauges. A quick light use of a hair dryer on the gauge will make it go away pretty quickly, just don't cook it.
 
#23 ·
If he did he'd be complaining about the worthless ambient temperature gauge. Pure worthless. But apparently they make ones that aren't. The digital one on my Indian is pretty darn good comparatively.
 
#29 ·
Mike, they cured that display in the 2009 to present bikes. My 2013 Vision agrees within about 1ºF with the bank thermometers that I ride past in any weather. Yes, I do ride below freezing down to about 20ºF or so. At that point it depends a lot on the road conditions whether I will go colder.
 
#30 ·
Yes they did fix it, somewhere between my 08 which was production #160 (very early production built and delivered in 07) and around #2100 or so, a guy I corresponded with online had that one and his doesn't do it, I think his was an 08 too but I'm not sure.
 
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