Custom Quad and Triple Combo Gauges
 

After a few months of trial and error, my son and I have put together a quad gauge prototype that we're happy with. Our goal was to build something using as many of the stock gauge parts as possible and that looks like it belongs in the car. The biggest challenge was making a face with the radius around the openings to match the other combo gauges.

All the face parts are CNC machined from aluminum. There is a fair amount of fit and finish and labor to put these together but I'm sure we can make them for much less than the usual shops. Most of the ones I've seen have a flat face, without the radius around the openings. Each one needs to be custom made so there are no plans to pre-make these for sale. However, we do plan to offer them to Pelican members.

They can be made with almost any 4 gauges or warning lights you want. They won't be cheap because they require at least 2 donor gauges to get the movements and needles. I can't really post a price since there are a bunch of variables but our plan is to make them to order for a reasonable price.

Here is a link to a simple Google Form I put together so I can get a list of those interested and what everyone is looking for. If you're interested in a quad or triple gauge please fill out the form and I'll get back to you with any questions.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKfN5oK1IoIvy0WaOXr-1M5Lc2QwozaCwlsiEG32Vy50CN7A/viewform?usp=sf_link

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607800681.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607800681.jpg

Bravo! I'm ordering one soon!

interested in triple

john

Factory look AND all the right ingredients! Nailed it!

Those are really beautiful, congratulations on the fruits of what I can only assume is a helluva lot of labor!

wow. very nicely done. Nice work

Damn John, that's beautiful!

Very nice job there....

Fantastic work.

Looks great. What are the impacts on the wiring harness, if any?

John,

These are great!

Wowzer! That is just beautiful work. Congratulations on a job well done and also for offering your talents to the community. :)

Beautiful work.

amazing.

I'm in for a triple style gauge

How about a 4 gauge combo, fitted in 1972 to my 914-6. Made by Hans Ritter after he left VDO to found 'SPECMO Enterprises' in Michigan. One of 3 he made.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607885869.jpg

How do I order one of these? This is amazing craftsmanship. This will be a valuable addition as I try to dial in my MFI.

I’m in for a tri-guage. AFR, voltage and a real oil quantity gauge if that is possible. The one that can only be read at warm idle is nearly worthless.

I want one just like that. Keep us posted!!

If you can just make the faces and point us to where to buy the needed parts (in this case, voltage and AFR movements), that would be enough.

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I'll get back, via PM, to everyone that has expressed interest.

This is really going to depend on what 4 gauges are used. For any gauges that are already part of the wire harness they will just plug right in. The voltmeter will get power internally so that wont require additional wiring. The AFR gauge, in this case, would require an analog signal from an AFR controller. So it really depends, but the gauge will have the same male spade connectors as found on all the other guages to make it as easy as possible.

Not sure on the "real" oil quantity gauge as that would require another sender but if there is a VDO gauge for it I can most likely integrate it into the quad or triple gauge. I also have a microcontroller circuit I can use to drive these VDO movements if there is something unique and we can't find a gauge to match a specific sender. In those cases the circuit can be used to match them.

Unfortunately, there is more to it than just the faces. It requires modification to the case and a custom back plate to mount the movements. It will also require custom LED bulb holders to mount any internal warning lights. The AFR gauge I custom make using a old VDO movement and a microcontroller circuit to interface it with the wideband controller output. So, these will each need to be custom made.

Agree with comments - neat way to keep look of our older analog cars. Looks like four indicator lights could be integrated?

Like you, I'm unsure how a "real" oil level gauge would work. Porsche must have been disappointed in the ones we have, as later models have ones where you check electronically, but standing still. That way, I suppose, gravity/inertia doesn't affect the float lever system, and the sensors may not be as prone to wear out. But that would be for when you make a gauge to replace the fuel and oil level gauge?

Arduinos and other micro processors are amazing devices - and inexpensive to boot, and easy to use if you can learn how to program them.

Here is a sneak peak at the triple gauge. I messed up the artwork for the face and didn't orient the lettering correctly so I need to redo that. But this is essentially what the triple gauge will look like. This one has Temp, Pressure and a Voltmeter at the top. It could also be rotated 180 degrees and have the centered window at the bottom.

Like the quad gauge it can be made with or without the silver center button. We are trying to finalize the instrument light position and wiring and then my plan is to figure out what we can make these for. I've had several people inquire and hopefully I got back to everyone.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1608220829.jpg

Don’t for get me!

Thanks

will you be doing any with the green SWB style?

Please put me down for a triple style gauge

You might consider offering a blink feature for the warning light options. LEDs which blink are inexpensive and readily available (didn't even exist when Porsche and VDO designed these instruments). A blinking warning light attracts a whole lot more attention. I've put a couple in my track car. Work great.

I didn't forget about you. Sorry if I didn't reply. I have a list of those that expressed interest and I will get back to everyone on Monday or Tuesday. The plan is to try to finalize the gauges this weekend and figure out what it is going to cost to make them. I'll be in touch.

No reason I can't do the early SWB style gauges as well. I already have the green color matched for the graphics so it's just a matter or doing one to make sure there are no complications with the design. I've been looking for some cores so I can build one before offering them but not having much luck finding any 65-67 combo gauge cores.

If anyone has any 911 or preferably 912 65-67 combo gauges please let me know.

Done.. I'll be in touch

Hey Walt... That's a great idea. All the warning lights will be internally mounted LEDs behind colored plastic lenses so it would be easy to use blinking ones. I'll get some. Thanks for that.

Still trying to figure out what it will cost to make a few of these since most is labor and these prototypes were built over a couple months. I think we'll build one from start to finish and see how cost effective we can make these. In the meantime I'm going to put together a form that I'll send out to everyone that expressed interest and we'll use that to give a more accurate quote.

It's looking like each one is going to need to be custom made since the gauges and warning lights will be different. Cost will also depend on what core gauges are available to build it.

So if you expressed interest you should be getting something from me after Christmas and hopefully we'll build a few of these after New Years.

Nicely done. Keep me posted on the triple

Interested in triple gauge: Fuel level; oil pressure and oil temp. with numbers

Thanks,
Sherwood

Here is a link to a simple Google Form I put together so I can get a list of those interested and what everyone is looking for. If you're interested in a quad or triple gauge please fill out the form and I'll get back to you with any questions.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKfN5oK1IoIvy0WaOXr-1M5Lc2QwozaCwlsiEG32Vy50CN7A/viewform?usp=sf_link

Just a quick update....

I have 12 requests (7 for quad and 5 for triple) and I'll be getting back to everyone this weekend. I realized that I forgot to include the options for the warning lights on the form so we'll need to figure that out separately for those that choose to move forward.

The plan is to work through the pricing for each request and build these as a batch in the next couple of weeks. More to come.

Happy New Year!

The thought I had, is which light goes with which gauge? How does a person tell?

Finally got started on the first 3 quad gauges. The faces and backplates were CNC'd and are ready for finishing. Hoping to have all the faces done tomorrow so I can start assembling them. I still have a few issues to work out with the lights but otherwise they should go together smoothly.

More to come.....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1612727457.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1612727457.jpg

This is spectacular.

LOVE John's work! Man has been a godsend for us hardcore gauge nerds. 🙌🏼

I got my dual! Will post a pic when its installed but that will be a few weeks. The gauge looks like Porsche (VDO) made it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1612971823.jpg

Progress on the first 3 quad gauges. Hit a little hiccup and had to order some parts and remake a few but still moving forward and hoping to have this first batch done in a week or so.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1613706153.jpg

Looks fantastic! Well done

Thank you!

Also... I noticed a couple more forms were submitted but I haven't responded yet. I will get back to everyone and assuming this first batch goes well I'll start another one after these get shipped out. Just be patient with me please :)