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Sun May 01, 2011 2:28 pm

Browsing the web I found a neat thermometer for $2,90. It looked like some stock article for machines or something. And after I installed it im very happy with the result, so here's a small report.

specs:
- Ultra compact, thin frame design
- Perfect for using at home, office, and in vehicles
- Displays in both degrees fahrenheit ('F) and celsius ('C)
-- Powered by 2 x AG13 batteries (included)
Remote sensor temperature range: -50'C to +70'C
- LCD working temperature range: -10'C to +50'C

step 1.

Order the thing from Dealextreme and wait 4 weeks to get it shipped.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/digital-compact-lcd-thermometer-with-outdoors-remote-sensor-15553

step 2.

I found a neat spot to put it, don't know what supposed to be there but it was empty on my van.

step 3.

Gather tools

step 4.

cut the middle section

step 5.

Draw some horizontal lines.

step 6.

Use a scraper to make the thing fit. take it easy and don't use to much force. Try fit regularly so you don't mess up. Use the lines from the previous step to see if you still horizontal.

result

I didn't place the feeling thing on the outside yet, that's for later.

my apologies for the picture quality

Sun May 01, 2011 2:49 pm

Nicely done, very stock looking, I just have a household indoor outdoor sitting up on the dash.

Sun May 01, 2011 3:45 pm

Odd_Dutch wrote:

step 2.

I found a neat spot to put it, don't know what supposed to be there but it was empty on my van.

Normally your seatbelt warning light and brake warning light are there

Clean install....looks good

Sun May 01, 2011 7:21 pm

Any pictures of the backside of the temperature display?

what kind of batteries does it use?

Sun May 01, 2011 9:27 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

what kind of batteries does it use?

It's in the original post- 2 AG-13 batteries (button cells).

Ed

Sun May 01, 2011 11:32 pm

Sir Sam wrote: Any pictures of the backside of the temperature display?

what kind of batteries does it use?

Thnx for the positive reactions 8)

Mon May 02, 2011 9:14 am

I have one like it (maybe ten years old from Radio Shack... I keep expecting it to die but so far...) but it's not as nice an install as yours. Cool.

FWIW I put my outside sensor inside the plastic bumper cap on the drivers side. It's out of the sun, away from cold steel so I think it's about as accurate at a ten year old Radio Shack thermometer can be.

Mon May 02, 2011 11:11 am

Odd_Dutch wrote: Sir Sam wrote: Any pictures of the backside of the temperature display?

what kind of batteries does it use?

Thnx for the positive reactions 8)

Yup, found it on dealextreme for $2.90 including shipping.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/digital-compact-lcd-thermometer-with-outdoors-remote-sensor-15553

Perfect thing for retrofit into older cars, I love the overhead console on my Jeep with the outside temp display, its very nice to be able to always know the outside temp(now to just find one that is also backlit!)

I showed this to a couple of Jeep guys and they are already digging it.

Sat May 14, 2011 3:29 pm

I went ahead and picked one up (at $2.90 with free shipping how could you NOT order one). It actually came fairly quickly (two weeks). But while the ad says it "displays in both Fahrenheit and Celsius," this one appears to only display in °C and I don't see any kind of switch or setting to change it to °F.

While I don't believe that the metric system is some kind of sinister plot for One World Government having to drive AND do the math...

°C to °F = Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
...might put others on the highway at risk while I multiply and divide on my fingers and toes. Am I missing something?

Sat May 14, 2011 4:45 pm

maybe this helps:
http://www.dealextreme.com/forums/Default.dx/sku.15553~threadid.631546

Sat May 14, 2011 5:24 pm

speedtek wrote: Odd_Dutch wrote:
I found a neat spot to put it, don't know what supposed to be there but it was empty on my van.

Normally your seatbelt warning light and brake warning light are there
Clean install....looks good

yeah, what's up with that?

Sat May 14, 2011 5:32 pm

Quote: Odd_Dutch

Location: The Hague
Not a standard spec. vanagon most of us are used to seeing.

Sat May 14, 2011 5:59 pm

MootPoint wrote: I went ahead and picked one up (at $2.90 with free shipping how could you NOT order one). It actually came fairly quickly (two weeks). But while the ad says it "displays in both Fahrenheit and Celsius," this one appears to only display in °C and I don't see any kind of switch or setting to change it to °F.

While I don't believe that the metric system is some kind of sinister plot for One World Government having to drive AND do the math...

°C to °F = Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
...might put others on the highway at risk while I multiply and divide on my fingers and toes. Am I missing something?

Funny you post this today, one of the Jeep guys who I showed this thread too also got his in the mail this week and posted up about not being able to get it to display F.

Dude, it looks like there is a way to get it to display F:

Sat May 14, 2011 7:09 pm

Ha! Thanks Odd Dutch and Sir Sam. Between the two of you it looks as if that's the solution. Neither of you talked about how to take it apart to get at the PC board but it shouldn't be too hard, I guess. I'll give it shot tomorrow.

This place is great!

Sun May 15, 2011 2:10 am

syncrodoka wrote: Quote: Odd_Dutch

Location: The Hague
Not a standard spec. vanagon most of us are used to seeing.

It's ex-German Military and after that Ex-German Firefighting bus. So its pretty basic but in very good shape.

Sun May 15, 2011 7:40 am

Very interesting. I might have to get one of these - I've been looking for something to do with the space the ashtray takes up on the dash.

Doug

Sun May 15, 2011 8:57 am

After reading some of the comments posted on the site Odd Dutch posted I'm not sure I would cut a hole in my dash to install one only to have it crap out down the line and then perhaps not be able to find a replacement for the hole. Though at $2.90 maybe you just buy a lifetime supply and keep 'em in storage until the need arises.