Which gauges?

Bay Window Steve · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject: Which gauges?

I want to add some gauges inside of my driver, wondering what your thoughts on which would be the most important to have are. Limit yourselves to three. What would you pick? Oil pressure, head temp?

Thanks!
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dbo550 · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject:

Add the oil temp and you've got your trifecta.
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Bay Window Steve · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:

Sounds good. Do most people just use an under the dash thing like this?

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=240804
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CatfishCalhoun · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

Oil Pressure - CHT - Volt Meter
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vw76westy · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

the voltmeter is most useful in the back while camping Wink

head temp for sure
oil pressure
& oil temp

check how i installed them here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3336915#3336915

jah_B · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject:

I can't remember how many mounting options I saw when I "looked around the forum" for VDO AND gauges. Some I saw when I did that were done well, and some could be considered hacked. (wait to see mine...lol)

I've seen 4 in the dash where the clock/tach would go, (kind of cool) a real nice set of cut outs below the radio using an extremely well done template and a sharp hole saw, (there's almost no room for error, so it has to be done with great skill and care) the standard three in a plastic under-dash mount, some mounted on top of the dash in the same kind of module, one with a CHT in the steering column mount....etc. etc, limited only by imagination....There's even a digital one for avionics that mounts in the clock hole with an all in one all four cylinder CHT readout, as well as OP, OT, Amps, tach, vacuum, fuel pressure, the shyt gets damn near esoteric if you don't stop reading about it. make yer freakin head spin......

I'm personally going with the altogether obvious 3 under the dash for now, until I have time to screw around cutting up the new un-cracked dash I'll buy later.

So...the most obvious and most useful are CHT, oil temp, and oil pressure, maybe an ammeter, and maybe a tach in place of the clock hole, for those who cannot HEAR their engine....but really dude, in the nicest possible way......there's a LOT of threads on this. Cool

I did not use the S word. God forbid.
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Hippopotabus · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:00 pm Post subject:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I like my basic set up. CHT, OT, OP, and Tach.
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Dr. Gonzo · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject:

EvolveES · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:12 pm Post subject:

IF mounting a tach where the clock goes counts as a gage then i would go with a tach, oil pressure and oil temp, if the tach is viewed as a must have item that the factory just happened to leave out (how i think of it) then i would add a oil pressure, oil temperature and volt meter.

El_Güero · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2006 Posts: 573

i always like looking tach versus vacuum, it helps you learn how to drive your beast in all conditions best; cooler and more fuel efficient, Cool

Traveling Writer · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject:

I think you should look at this if you haven't already for your CHT gauge. http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=...prd347.htm

Analog looks better, but as far as I could determine from a lot of research, they have nothing on the accuracy of this CHT gauge. Watch the temps move up and down one degree at a time, just by thinking about downshifting on that hill...it's very very addictive). If you like, JB weld its sender to the fins next to #3 and you're set (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=304732&highlight=cht+sender++weld).

Apart from CHT, I've just ordered an Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, and Tach in the clock hole, so that should cover it. If I had more money, the gauge in the above thread (stratomaster aircraft all-in-one) would be a cool thing, so check it out. Fuel Pressure up front would be handy too....
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El_Güero · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2006 Posts: 573

[quote="Fuel Pressure up front would be handy too....[/quote]

if its a phisycal reading i don`t think its a good idea to run gas all the way to the front, if your not carefull you can have a live BBQ right at your feet

Traveling Writer · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:07 am Post subject:

I know what you mean, El Guero... I was thinking of a sender like for OP and just running the wire...
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1977 2.0 FI Westy
2011 1200cc Yamaha Super Tenere
1976 Feet (they work surprisingly well)

Desertbusman · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:40 am Post subject:

With your pancake engine, a CHT gauge is very important from what I read here on the Samba about T-4's with a lot of head problems. With an upright engine I don't think it's a concern and much need for a CHT gauge because of very few problems with heads. Oil Pressure is a must with any VW engine. Oil Temp is also a should have. However it can be misleading and get you in trouble. Once you get super familiar with your engine the OP gauge tells probably more about engine temps. A Volt Meter tells a lot more about the entire electrical system. Not just the charging rate like an amp meter does. A Tach is cool and fun. But actually it doesn't do squat for you once you get intimate with your engine. A bus isn't the kind of vehicle John Force drives at the strip. The speedo does everything you need to know about shift points. Just get familiar with different shift MPH's under the different load conditions. Shift earlier under no load such as going down hill. Let it wind tighter to a higher MPH when it is under a greater load. With a Tach there are no magic numbers. You have to "learn" your engine anyway. The owners manual has info about shift speeds.
Gauges are by far not a total substitute for your natural senses.

Polly didn't want a radio so we put 3 gauges (OP, OT, Volt) in the radio hole by making a mounting panel. That was a nice location. I have 4 in the gauge console just to the right of the speedo. What is real obvious is that if they are right in front of you they are much easier to monitor all the time. Off to the side by the radio they easily get ignored. Either that or a sore neck.

That was kind and accomidating of Jah B to not use that nasty "S" word. However by not using the "S", there is a lot of gauge info and pics that you won't see.
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hazetguy · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:35 am Post subject:


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