TheSamba.com :: View topic - Gauges

Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:14 pm

Here's another photo of the Brickwerks dual gauge pod available through T3Techniques. These have got to be the best on the market. So cool looking.

more info here:
http://texasvanagons.com/oil-pressure-temperature-gauge-pod/

Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:12 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: Saab gauges and ambient temp/compass readout in self-dimming mirror

Zeitgeist, and others with this style,
How is the 'glanceability' on an overhead setup like this? I'm planning on mounting all 4 gauges in place of the now-defunct driver side AC vents, just to the left of what's pictured above^
Been trying to 'test-glance' (...at the vents) while driving to decide if it's too far away. Any thoughts or experiences?

Also working on a fifth "swell gauge" linked to the RSS feed of local NOAA wave height buoy....;)

Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:19 pm

It's certainly outside your typical scan zone, but I regularly check both during a drive. It's not unlike checking your rear view mirror. I had overhead gauges in my '67 Split as well.

Sat Aug 08, 2015 5:00 am

Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:50 pm

Yeah, those anti-glare bezel trim ring things work great. I was bummed to see such a strong reflection on the windshield the first night I drove around with my new gauges. Slapped on a set of these and "problem solved."

Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:45 pm

boroko wrote: teaser...

Mark

Arduino based?
I am looking into the avionics style all in one and this could be an interesting arduino project

Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:25 pm

has anyone found a good cable with 6 or so conductors? I am thinking that getting the trailer hitch wire is the cheapest and tidiest solution but something shielded would be nice. I may run a length of CAT5/6 cable just to test it out but twisted pairs don't matter since I am not using differential pairs the way they are intended.

Fri Aug 21, 2015 10:00 am

mrcool wrote: has anyone found a good cable with 6 or so conductors? I am thinking that getting the trailer hitch wire is the cheapest and tidiest solution but something shielded would be nice. I may run a length of CAT5/6 cable just to test it out but twisted pairs don't matter since I am not using differential pairs the way they are intended.

I was told by Tencent that he use sprinkler wire from the hardware store. 7 conductors... sounds perfect! I havent tried it yet...

Fri Aug 21, 2015 10:04 am

That is an amazing idea! Really easy and accessible. Of course homedepot doesn't have a decent spec sheet with operating temperature. I just want to make sure that would be ok in a really hot engine compartment.

I am using a MGL E1 engine management system and uses a DB9 (d-sub) connector. I've also thought about getting a 25 ft long cable from amazon and running that. Then I can just cut off the connector and strip the cable that ends up in the engine bay. Maybe I can find one intended for industrial applications.

Fri Aug 21, 2015 3:32 pm

I've used trailer wire and I've used speaker wire. both have worked well without issues.

Fri Aug 21, 2015 3:38 pm

mrcool wrote: That is an amazing idea! Really easy and accessible. Of course homedepot doesn't have a decent spec sheet with operating temperature. I just want to make sure that would be ok in a really hot engine compartment.

I think it'll do fine with the heat. Just don't go ziptieing it to your exhaust runners or anything. Hehe

Fri Aug 21, 2015 4:05 pm

Thanks guys.

I'm probably over-analyzing the issue. I'll just put some friggen wires in there

Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:17 am

This spot has been working well for me, it doesn't interfere with the shifter and I can glance down there pretty easily. Version 2.0 would have the gauges tilt toward facing the driver, like the ash tray pod posted above, for a more accurate reading. Note the beer is for garage use only, not on-road.

It's just a piece of aluminum that I bandsawed and holesawed and bent in the metal brake. I had to file away a small bit of the plastic dash vent cover to route the wires. Trying to imagine how to tilt the gauges toward the driver without having them stick out any further from the dash, into shifter country. Slightly more technical bending is on the way..

Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:47 pm

Just finished installing my Prosport OP, OT and Volt gauges.....

Fri Feb 12, 2016 3:04 pm

My dash is super hammered and i haven't decided what im going to do with it yet, so i needed something temporary and came up with this.

Edit: A friend mentioned that everyone does not have metal working tools, so I thought i would add that this could also be easily replicated with a wood chop saw using 2" ABS pipe and by making a box from Plexiglass and MEK for a boding agent.

Tue Jul 12, 2016 2:55 pm

Dude, that steering wheel is tight! What is that from? Special mods?

mr_vanagon wrote: Had a few misplaced spaces there.

syncrowestytd wrote: I installed this one about nine years ago after grenading my first 1.9 TD:

Tue Jul 12, 2016 2:57 pm

Bit of gauge pornage!

http://www.ebay.de/itm/VW-T3-Dehler-Profi-original...Swvg9Xb9r7

Tue Jul 12, 2016 3:16 pm

This is exactly what I was envisioning.

Three dual VDO Wasatch gauges right above other gauges. I didn't want to hack way at stuff though. The magnet and wiring route is a good idea!

T3 Pilot wrote: Syncro Pilot wrote: Nice Cluster Bill!

I just have the basics installed........

I usually run with a Garmin Nuvi on the dash next to the instrument binnacle.

The Oil Pressure Gauge is the one that I watch the most.

These gauges are held in place by 3/4 inch rare earth magnets, no drilling, great wiring access, wires are led under the leading edge of the instrument cluster binnacle. I would hate to have access to my vent window blocked too. The magnets are attached to the base of the gauge pods with 2 side tape. Perfect heads up position. Ran this way all last winter and the defrost system keep things clear.

Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:14 pm

anybody try something like this?

Tue Jul 12, 2016 8:44 pm

I made this dash for the doka. I know I will need to deal with the m/c. I bought the left gauge on ebay. The original gauge was about 50% larger than I needed. I machined a new housing the same size as a Porsche tach housing and fit everything in, and used the Porsche lens and trim rings. The tach is from a 914, and the speedo is a mechanical 911 unit. I bought a early vanagon mechanical speedo cable to connect the gauge.