DANGER! install volt meter now!!

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by pmax

I was wondering if this means anything more than just a voltage monitor... It protects the engine computer and 12-volt accessories from damaging surges when jump starting or recharging."

I think they had a Brian Williams moment

[Koizumi]

Originally Posted by Neel

Very nice!!! Where did you pick up the parts?? Good luck with your troubleshooting!!!

I got the parts on eBay from a couple of different sellers. The parts are all well-made, sturdy not flimsy at all. It's hard to capture with my iPhone but the install looks OEM.

Ebay Sellers:

Andy14nq

offroadarsenal


Inexpensive, too! I installed a 15A inline fuse as well. Took 15 minutes tops to install.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by jclotz

I had a gage made from a clock core by BigMarkDesign a number of years ago. Happy with the way it turned out.

I love the setup. Its perfect!

I've already got the spare gauge to work with. I talked to Harmut at Palo Alto, and he wasn't able to take on this project. I'll contact http://www.newvintageusa.com/bigmarkdesign.html

For now I'll attach a multi-meter for my next road trip. I always like to bring one along in my tool kit anyway.

[wayner]

Darn. They just got back to me to let me know they no longer work on our gauges

[jbell959]

Originally Posted by wayner

Darn. They just got back to me to let me know they no longer work on our gauges

I went down the same road and contacted Palo Alto and Mark with no luck. The difficulty is in the AFR movement. I'm pretty close to having a working gauge. I worked with an electrical engineer to design an external box that will drive the 2 stock fuel and oil level movements. This way, no modifications need to be made the the stock gauge other than the faces. It's also nice because the needles both move from top to bottom like the stock gauge. The electrical work is done and I'm having the faces made now. I'll post some pictures when everything is done. Should be a couple weeks.

[wayner]

I have a donor fuel gauge

Any ecomonies of scale here if I piggy back on your project contributing to your cost recovery?

[scarceller]

Great addition for our cars CHT and VDC the other would be a Fuel Mixture gauge.

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

yep, there it is....too lazy to look or take another pic. Like $40 bucks.....

[r-mm]

Lots of cool solutions here. Anyone find a cigg lighter option that is a bit more.... 80's looking?

Also wondering what the alternator idiot light reports? Total failure (ie belt snaps) under charge? Over charge?

[jbell959]

Originally Posted by wayner

I have a donor fuel gauge

Any ecomonies of scale here if I piggy back on your project contributing to your cost recovery?

All the heavy lifting is done... I'll post pics as soon as it's done. I'll post some pics showing what I did and I'll see if we can make the parts available. I have no interest in building these or making money on it so I'll do what I can to pass it on.

[wayner]

Thanks!

Standing by

[MrScott]

I ordered this warning light off eBay. It has different warning colors depending on condition (low battery, over voltage, etc.)



I was planning to run it in mode 4 (below), maybe install it in the unused warning slot in my oil pressure gauge or on the dash where the OXYs light is. I still haven't received it so it could turn out to be junk. If not I'll do a write up and post it. Mentioning it now because it seems relevant.

[KTL]

Here's some good information on the alternator light function. It's more than just a typical light bulb being turned on!

Race Car Dash Alternator Light

[jbell959]

Originally Posted by wayner

Thanks!

Standing by

Here is a picture of the finished gauge. As I mentioned it is a standard fuel/oil level gauge with new gauge faces. The little box converts the voltage and O2 sensor signals to the correct voltage ranges for the stock gauge movements. This setup works with the older narrow band sensor.

[wayner]

Can I order an electronic box from your guy?...or a kit with schematic??? Pre-assembled would be great.

Where can I get the gauge refaced?

Looks like the prefect solution (other than narrowband, but I can live with that ;-)

[jbell959]

Originally Posted by wayner

Can I order an electronic box from your guy?...or a kit with schematic??? Pre-assembled would be great.

Where can I get the gauge refaced?

Looks like the prefect solution (other than narrowband, but I can live with that ;-)

Let me talk to him and see if he'd be interested in making more of them. This is a one off board that he made for me so it wasn't too cheap. Then there are the faces. Those weren't cheap either since I had to have the artwork done and have the overlays made. The 2 small faces are overlays. The main gauge face is another story. Palo Alto and North Hollywood wanted more than $500 to re-screen that face and I couldn't find anyone else that would do it because it's not flat. So I bead blasted and painted a face and used dry rub lettering myself. Then a coat of matt clear over top. I'll let you know on the box and I can check with the guy that printed the overlays to see what it would cost for more. Sorry it's not a more simple answer.

I too wish there was a way to use a wide-band sensor but the circuitry is much more complicated and we couldn't come up with a way to use the existing movements. For one of my other cars I'm putting together a wide-band gauge using the parts from a clock but it will be a full sweep gauge based on the innovate gauge (no volt meter). I'll post a picture of that in a couple days.

[RNajarian]

Great advice Wayner, you motivated me to get some "insurance" as well.

My car has the dealer installed air conditioning unit installed. So I was able to buy a VDO bracket which fit perfectly in the space of the never used ash tray.

I installed an OEM 55 mm VDO voltmeter and an OEM VDO 55mm outside temperature gauge

Doesn't look too bad. I love knowing the status of my electrical system

[gliding_serpent]

My battery gave up the ghost mid lap at a hpde. I lost all power and the hood was smoking a bit, but i was "lucky" and there was no leaking. I have since switched to agm batteries, and saved some weight in the process.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by gliding_serpent

My battery gave up the ghost mid lap at a hpde. I lost all power and the hood was smoking a bit, but i was "lucky" and there was no leaking. I have since switched to agm batteries, and saved some weight in the process.

The battery was just the symptom. AGM will not save you from an overcharging problem, it will just delay the inevitable, with bigger thrills. Do some diagnostics, STAT!

[wayner]

Originally Posted by ClickClickBoom

The battery was just the symptom. AGM will not save you from an overchatprging problem, it will just delay the inevitable, with bigger thrills. Do some diagnostics, STAT!

Ditto
This WAS an AGM battery. AGM won't save you from a battery explosion if you are overcharging.

Originally Posted by wayner

RUN! She's gonna blow!!



]

[wayner]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Great advice Wayner, you motivated me to get some "insurance" as well.

My car has the dealer installed air conditioning unit installed. So I was able to buy a VDO bracket which fit perfectly in the space of the never used ash tray.

I installed an OEM 55 mm VDO voltmeter and an OEM VDO 55mm outside temperature gauge

Doesn't look too bad. I love knowing the status of my electrical system

Thats was easy!
(I still haven't gotten around to following my own advice but I did ride with a multimeter on the passenger seat last outing).