TheSamba.com :: View topic - Gauges

Sat Sep 18, 2021 7:56 am

BlueTooth gauge set I am working on using Android smart phone.
Showing oil pressure and temp.
It has 6 more inputs available.
Record mode records day/time and data every 10 seconds into text file.
Min/Max recording and alarm settings for min/max.

Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:04 am

Oil temp and pressure using an oil filter sandwich adaptor.

Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:37 am

So, it looks like my tachometer gauge is mostly dead, I've replaced the cluster foil with an aftermaket circuit and thought everything else works great, the tachometer still intermittently dies on its own (a tap on the top of the cluster revives it temporarily).

Is there a drop-in replacement for the OEM tachometer gauge (with fuel and temperature)? I'm hoping something that perhaps uses very similar wiring?

Original tachometer it's a VDO but doing a fast search in the VDO website I couldn't find that tachometer (or anything similar).

Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:55 am

pnwkayaker wrote: So, it looks like my tachometer gauge is mostly dead, I've replaced the cluster foil with an aftermaket circuit and thought everything else works great, the tachometer still intermittently dies on its own (a tap on the top of the cluster revives it temporarily).

Is there a drop-in replacement for the OEM tachometer gauge (with fuel and temperature)? I'm hoping something that perhaps uses very similar wiring?

Original tachometer it's a VDO but doing a fast search in the VDO website I couldn't find that tachometer (or anything similar).

A friend of mine had one of the Gowesty boards installed. He has the same issue. I think it is a problem with connection points losing contact.

Surely someone has deciphered the Cluster Foil and has the Circuit Schematic available for sharing!

Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:59 am

I have this image in my notes if that would help, although I'm sure there's one in the Bentley.

I originally found it here, http://www.kpcnsk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/instrumentpanel.jpg

Looks like this guys created a replacement for the blue foil before the GoWesty solution was developed.

-Steve C.

Mon Sep 20, 2021 11:58 am

dbartisan wrote: I have this image in my notes if that would help, although I'm sure there's one in the Bentley.

I originally found it here, http://www.kpcnsk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/instrumentpanel.jpg

Looks like this guys created a replacement for the blue foil before the GoWesty solution was developed.

-Steve C.

I used this to rewire the cluster myself a few years ago.

Before:

During:

After:

More info here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7785281#7785281

If you really have the time, do it. Otherwise, buy a kit from one if the usual Vanagon vendors.

Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:25 pm

As I mentioned earlier, the cluster has been completely rewired (using the kit from slowbbridgeinnovation] and it works great. However, the tachometer itself is not working correctly (intermittent drop-offs), so I'm looking for a suitable drop-in replacement (ideally, having the same/similar connections).

I'll dismantle the cluster again this weekend and double check all the connections (though I already did that when I rewired the cluster 2 weeks ago)

VicVan wrote:
If you really have the time, do it. Otherwise, buy a kit from one if the usual Vanagon vendors.

Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:37 pm

This is my setup, plus air temp and clock in a pod on the celing

Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:42 pm

calo1956 wrote:
This is my setup, plus air temp and clock in a pod on the celing

Very nice! Have you done anything to the plastic on your dash board? It looks factory fresh!

Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:06 pm

I decided to go UP instead of OVER with the added gauges. Used a modified instrument cover with an aluminum and plastic fascia to mount the gauges.

For my seating position and height, the new gauges line up right above the steering wheel for good visibility.

Jim Davis

Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:10 pm

whoa! thats an intimidating amount of info!

what's everything up there do/show?

Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:49 pm

SyncroHead wrote:

valvecovergasket wrote: whoa! thats an intimidating amount of info!

what's everything up there do/show?

Left to right:
Instrument Binnacle:
Scangauge for GoWesty EFI system, engine oil temperature, engine oli pressure, voltage, added switch for fog/driving lights (above defroster switch),

NavCom station:
Cell cradle 1, Magellan GPS 1 & 2, Camera mount, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Cell cradle 2.
I find it necessary to have GPS navigation without cell signal, thus the Magellans. Often have one set to the next waypoint and the other set to the 2nd waypoint or sometimes one zoomed in and one zoomed out for the same destination.

Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:53 pm

Here's my speedhuts with custom pattern. the console is for the 6 speed suby transmission.

Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:13 pm

human compass wrote:
SNIP
Here's my speedhuts with custom pattern. the console is for the 6 speed suby transmission.

Love the Speed Hut. Had one on my air cooled triumph Scrambler (motorcycle)

Is there a build thread for your 6 speed build?

Owen

Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:17 am

9.5isCanadian wrote: human compass wrote:
SNIP
Here's my speedhuts with custom pattern. the console is for the 6 speed suby transmission.

Love the Speed Hut. Had one on my air cooled triumph Scrambler (motorcycle)

Is there a build thread for your 6 speed build?

Owen

Hey Owen,
check out the syncaru 16 thread for the inside view of my madness!

Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:46 am

So most examples I've seen used on this thread use 5-25% of their available displays outputs to represent what the WBX/Vehicle will actually experience under normal circumstances. Why modify or add more? Add cold war avionics? Add a row of antiquated gauges. No! get a electronic solution; a tablet mounted from the ash tray is simple/smart and super useful as GPS or general home point, or a smart phone mounted sideways behind the steering wheel covering the non-used indicators in the middle of the cluster and its camera viewing the CTG, alarming the driver if things are out-of-order. All desired monitoring is available with out wires or bulk gauges. No more 8-Tracks.

BK

Sun Jan 09, 2022 2:01 am

What I wrote was rude but true. If you want to reinvent the stock dashboard, have a speedometer reading between between 30 - 80MPH. Do not have a tach-o-meter, our ears can hear what's happening (a over 5K rpm warning after 3 mins is ok, up shift). Fuel level sure. Coolant temp, yes (with a blunt warning if things are not ok)

TBC

BK

Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:13 am

1988M5 wrote: What I wrote was rude but true. If you want to reinvent the stock dashboard, have a speedometer reading between between 30 - 80MPH. Do not have a tach-o-meter, our ears can hear what's happening (a over 5K rpm warning after 3 mins is ok, up shift). Fuel level sure. Coolant temp, yes (with a blunt warning if things are not ok)

TBC

BK

This no tach thing probably works for you.
You have experience with the sound an engine makes at a given RPM. You probably learned this skill from driving a lot of cars...............
........... WITH Tachometers!

Add to this, your hearing us probably quite good.
Not all of us are so fortunate to be fully blessed with that sense.

As with most modifications made to these Vans do what pleases you. But don't go telling me that I am silly for wanting to take up dash space for or don't need a Tach.
I'm very experienced with the automobile, but always being able to hear 5,000 rpm? ....... it ain't happening.

Dave

Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:19 pm

human compass wrote:
Love the black on white. I was inspired by these guys. https://shop.classicinstruments.com/vt58slf Super dear and so this is where I am now.

Duncan

Sun Jan 09, 2022 2:05 pm

My gauge project on my 89 Syncro Doka (build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763624)

- Autometer GPS speedo - antenna is routed through the A pillar
- Volt meter with LED indicator wired to the factory charge warning
- Electronic oil pressure gauge - tied into my EJ25 via a sandwich block above the oil filter and LED tied to the factory oil pressure warning
- Tachometer signal routed from the subaru ECU
- Water temp - factory signal, but with modified routing to avoid the coolant temp relay - that relay is still used to monitor coolant level though and routed to an adjacent LED
- Fuel level - routed through a metermatch to dial in the ohms from the factory sending unit and LED that flashes when I've got about 30 miles to empty

Center LEDs
- High beam (blue)
- Turn / Flasher (green)
- Check engine (orange)
- E Brake (red)

All LEDs are far too bright at night right now, so my next project is adding a photocell to the dash to serve as a daylight dimming resistor - I have it bench prototyped, just not installed yet

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Initially started with an ABS panel and quick splices below the 14-pin connector

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Final version laser cut out of carbon fiber, replaces the 14-pin connector with individual weatherpack connectors, and moves the flasher and headlight switches to toggles mounted on the dash

And finally adding a momo wheel that is much too small for a manual steering rack, but... free cross fit, so I'm not complaining.

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And a question for someone who knows more than me about the front diff - is there any issue with making a threaded cap for the speedo drive on the diff? My concern I guess is, does oil seep out of there to lubricate the stock speedo cable? Worried if the answer is yes and I block it off it could create unwanted pressure? Maybe a non-concern? Anyone know?