Shift lights installation
Super Duper Moderator
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,773
Likes: 21
From: YQU
I am in the process if installing a Shift-I but can't seem to get it to read RPM.
I have lights with ignition reading voltage (so wiring of power and ground are correct) but no RPM at all.
I used pin 2 on the tach - can anyone confirm this is the right pin? Did you have to alter sensitivity at all?
Thanks.
Marc
I have lights with ignition reading voltage (so wiring of power and ground are correct) but no RPM at all.
I used pin 2 on the tach - can anyone confirm this is the right pin? Did you have to alter sensitivity at all?
Thanks.
Marc
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 0
From: Apex, NC
Marc I'll see if I can pull my tach later tonight and take a photo
it should pick up the tach signal w/o adjusting it at this point
No need to remove the windshield to get the dash out & you don't have to wire it that way you can route it around the dash
it should pick up the tach signal w/o adjusting it at this point
No need to remove the windshield to get the dash out & you don't have to wire it that way you can route it around the dash
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 0
From: Apex, NC
Marc - i took mine apart it is KL.TD from the looks of it - i'll correct the install doc with Shift-I
Second pin up from the bottom on the left side of the tach (with tach facing away from you)
Second pin up from the bottom on the left side of the tach (with tach facing away from you)
Last edited by Cupcar#12; Jul 19, 2007 at 02:07 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: London
Rob,
I'm curious as to how you set the rev level that the LEDs cut in ? Does the voltage output from the tacho increase with revs and the LED unit interprets that ? Can you adjust it ?
Out of interest I've just installed my own shift light, but went about it a slightly different way. My car has MoTeC which has any number of spare outputs. I got 9m to wire up a cable to the MoTeC harness that gives 12volts when the revs are at peak power (6,400 rpm or something like that). I then routed the wires along the sill and up under the dash and positioned a single 8mm blue flashing LED set into the cover of the engine buzzer between the tacho and the oil and temp gauage (just above and to the left of the steering column). The install looks totally stealth !
I did this at the same time as another friend, and rather than use the engine buzzer, he dropped the rheostats for the guage lights and intermittent wiper back into the dash and put twin 8mm red LEDs into the holes in the dash instead. This looks really good as you have a light either side of the wheel just above hand height.
I like the idea of the simplicity of your install and now wonder if we could have done the job a whole lot easier going your way, but ours cost only a couple of bucks for a bit of cable and a handful of LEDs (clearly only of use to anyone with MoTeC though !!!!!!)
Jamie
I'm curious as to how you set the rev level that the LEDs cut in ? Does the voltage output from the tacho increase with revs and the LED unit interprets that ? Can you adjust it ?
Out of interest I've just installed my own shift light, but went about it a slightly different way. My car has MoTeC which has any number of spare outputs. I got 9m to wire up a cable to the MoTeC harness that gives 12volts when the revs are at peak power (6,400 rpm or something like that). I then routed the wires along the sill and up under the dash and positioned a single 8mm blue flashing LED set into the cover of the engine buzzer between the tacho and the oil and temp gauage (just above and to the left of the steering column). The install looks totally stealth !
I did this at the same time as another friend, and rather than use the engine buzzer, he dropped the rheostats for the guage lights and intermittent wiper back into the dash and put twin 8mm red LEDs into the holes in the dash instead. This looks really good as you have a light either side of the wheel just above hand height.
I like the idea of the simplicity of your install and now wonder if we could have done the job a whole lot easier going your way, but ours cost only a couple of bucks for a bit of cable and a handful of LEDs (clearly only of use to anyone with MoTeC though !!!!!!)
Jamie
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 0
From: Apex, NC
the LED level is set by the user, for instance mine starts at 4000 RPM and incriments 1 light per 500 RPM up to the red one at 7000 RPM. The Shift-I unit takes a straight tach signal and interperates RPM from there, it is adjustable for sensitivity so you can Tune it to +/- 100 RPM or so.
For MoTeC you could have the ECU run a secondary tach signal to power this (i believe) or just use the Tach signal as we did.
it really personal preference as to what works for you - 7 lights or 2 at Max RPM only
you can have the shift-i light up at only max RPM as well (there are a few different modes)
I use mine mostly to gauge RPM at different intervels on the track (along with my ear) and it gives me a bit of repeatability - and knowing when i can strech a gear in the heat of action.
For MoTeC you could have the ECU run a secondary tach signal to power this (i believe) or just use the Tach signal as we did.
it really personal preference as to what works for you - 7 lights or 2 at Max RPM only
you can have the shift-i light up at only max RPM as well (there are a few different modes)
I use mine mostly to gauge RPM at different intervels on the track (along with my ear) and it gives me a bit of repeatability - and knowing when i can strech a gear in the heat of action.
Super Duper Moderator
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,773
Likes: 21
From: YQU
Hey Rob,
Your tach may be different than mine but KL.TD and the pin you describe/photographed above is actually pin #6 which works. Pin #7 in mine is +KL.15 and does not work.
For the record, KL.TD seems to be the right pin, regardless of its number.
Thanks again.
Marc
Your tach may be different than mine but KL.TD and the pin you describe/photographed above is actually pin #6 which works. Pin #7 in mine is +KL.15 and does not work.
For the record, KL.TD seems to be the right pin, regardless of its number.
Thanks again.
Marc
Last edited by Marc Shaw; Jul 20, 2007 at 01:12 PM. Reason: added info
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
Super Duper Moderator
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,773
Likes: 21
From: YQU
No, it is second pin up just like you showed but it is labelled #6 right on the black plug and it corresponds with the legend on the label on the back of the tach.
Marc
Marc
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,876
Likes: 870
Dang this RennList - $168 quickly zapped from the car budget!!!! 
Marc - which pin are you regarding as KL.TD? Someone post a clear image!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Rob for the head's up on this cool shift light setup!
Marc - which pin are you regarding as KL.TD? Someone post a clear image!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Rob for the head's up on this cool shift light setup!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: London
Originally Posted by Cupcar#12
the LED level is set by the user, for instance mine starts at 4000 RPM and incriments 1 light per 500 RPM up to the red one at 7000 RPM. The Shift-I unit takes a straight tach signal and interperates RPM from there, it is adjustable for sensitivity so you can Tune it to +/- 100 RPM or so.
For MoTeC you could have the ECU run a secondary tach signal to power this (i believe) or just use the Tach signal as we did.
it really personal preference as to what works for you - 7 lights or 2 at Max RPM only
you can have the shift-i light up at only max RPM as well (there are a few different modes)
I use mine mostly to gauge RPM at different intervels on the track (along with my ear) and it gives me a bit of repeatability - and knowing when i can strech a gear in the heat of action.
For MoTeC you could have the ECU run a secondary tach signal to power this (i believe) or just use the Tach signal as we did.
it really personal preference as to what works for you - 7 lights or 2 at Max RPM only
you can have the shift-i light up at only max RPM as well (there are a few different modes)
I use mine mostly to gauge RPM at different intervels on the track (along with my ear) and it gives me a bit of repeatability - and knowing when i can strech a gear in the heat of action.
Jamie
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Marc, one does not produce better how to pictures than those. Fantastic!
On a related note, is there a comparable variable voltage pin on the speedometer where the voltage varies with speed? I could have some uses for that!
On a related note, is there a comparable variable voltage pin on the speedometer where the voltage varies with speed? I could have some uses for that!
