New VDO gauges in my dash

[deQuincey]

New VDO gauges in my dash_ final pics

Well trying to summarize all the steps given in the last months about this issue i open this thread with the conclussions:

I intend to install 4 gauges that gave me fresh information of four key values in the correct running of an engine:

VOLTS
Coolant TEMPERATURE
Oil TEMP
Oil PRESSURE

the VDO system:

VDO gauges and sensors

we will detail later on the position of the sensors, because it has been a hard issue

aesthetics:

mechanical design and way of mounting to the dash (my intention is to avoid any hole or damage to the dash, so it is a self fixing unit)

 

[Tierfreund]

I really like the work you are doing on your coupe. It all looks first rate. And I very much appreciate you sharing it with us via these excellent and detailed pictures. Inspirational!
And the gauges look gorgeous. But why the one white one?

 

[deQuincey]

electric connections:
i have decided to get a fresh meassurement system, that means completely independent from the actual electrical wiring of the car, so i will not go through the ignition switch, but i will bring the (+) from the battery:

green diode to know that the system is in function

main switch, it is operated from below the panel

general aspect of cables and fuse

open a hole for future access to fuse, and arrange the non-used cables

including two thin walls to reinforce the base plate

red=positive, blue = ground, three green go eahc one to one sensor

in the other side the light switch can be seen

main connections protected and ready for assembly in the car

fuse access

final aspect in the dash

any comments on the look ? is it according to the aesthetics of the car, or on the contrary very modern ?


operation of main switch, it is handy but hidden !

 

[deQuincey]

...
And the gauges look gorgeous. But why the one white one?

ha, ha, ha

probably i am a bit eccentric, with this one, but i feel it a good choice to avoid the boring 4 black gauges one after the other

also it states a different class of gauge for meassuring volts

well, when i ordered them i was a little bit afraid but now i like them (and the white one too) :-D

 

[David]

I really like the work you are doing on your coupe. It all looks first rate. And I very much appreciate you sharing it with us via these excellent and detailed pictures. Inspirational!
And the gauges look gorgeous. But why the one white one?

I think the white one measures how much money he's spent on the car.

Looks sweet.

-D

 

[Tierfreund]

I like the chrome rings. Very classy.

 

[carbuffs]

Very nice and clean looking.

 

[deQuincey]

thanks,

any other reaction on the white gauge ?

more pics from today drive

 

[Stevehose]

I am looking at doing a gauge cluster also, if and when I get around to it I would make them look all the same, to me the white looks odd. Nice install though!

 

[Tierfreund]

I like. Even the white. Gives it a personal touch...

 

[deQuincey]

I am looking at doing a gauge cluster also, if and when I get around to it I would make them look all the same, to me the white looks odd. Nice install though!

hi steve

appreciate your response and opinion ! (humm..."odd",...ok, i like it!:-D)

when you decide to tackle this, do not hesitate to ask for drawings, details, explanations,...etc

regards

 

[giannicsl]

wooowww ;--))

 

[Stevehose]

"Odd" meaning I prefer all to be the same looking. Very nice work. You'll be hearing from me!

hi steve

appreciate your response and opinion ! (humm..."odd",...ok, i like it!:-D)

when you decide to tackle this, do not hesitate to ask for drawings, details, explanations,...etc

regards

 

[deQuincey]

"Odd" meaning I prefer all to be the same looking. Very nice work. You'll be hearing from me!

OK :smile:
i will be here waiting for you !

 

[deQuincey]

recover of an old thread

this intends the completion of the work done to install some additional gauges, I stopped it without finishing the connections, here you are:

probably you remember this drawing:

we need a positive from the battery, and a terminal for each sensor, all this means that we will need to pass new cables from the engine to the interior, so i will drill a hole, and protect it with an adequate rubber :

in this position it´s not bothering any other cable or mechanism

you can seee two protecting tubes for entering another positive but a really thick cable (2,5mm diameter) for the future renewal of the installation of the window electric motors

 

[deQuincey]

then routing the cables and preparing a robust connection pattern:

battery positive terminal point, this is the end of the protective black tube that comes from inside the car:

from that end i place a blue protective tube that goes backwards, towards the oil pressure sensor:

from the positive point there are also another two blue tubes; one goes to the temp oil sensor that was placed in the oil filter support

the last one is going to a duplicated water temp sensor:

 

[deQuincey]

the very final push to complete and final pics with light !

closing

so the cables from the engine were in their place now, and thus i need to prepare the connections, they were:

+: positive from the batt
Tw: water temp
To: oil temp
Po: oil pressure
-: ground

i will use a shielded quick connector with standard spades for the first 4, and a conventional faston for ground

result when connected, only power:

power + lights

night look

isn´t it nice ? I am surprised, they are not only working but they are beautiful too !

 

[pamp]

Gauges

Cool project....kind'a like building your own mini-dash board. Finished mine this past holiday season. The main goal was to include an A/F meter for me....

Creative exhaust work as to have the wide band O2 sensor in the same spot as pre-cat on the 635 csi. I added what the dash lacks....oil pressure and voltage (idiot lights) Used a dual sender but did not use an adapter....tight but it fits screwed direct to the head. Panel was made by the "orangener" and a gift included when he sent my strut brace.

 

[deQuincey]

Finished mine this past holiday season. The main goal was to include an A/F meter for me....
.

your work is beautiful !
i understand that you wanted new data that was not available in the actual dash, but in my case is a sort of cross-checking too

regards

 

[pamp]

Sorry

Not to take away from your work.....not at all. You did a most beautiful job and an incredible amount of detail on the project for others. It for sure takes planning and hand drawn schematics that you were gracious to share. I apologize that I am remiss in documenting.
Most times because I fear the mistakes I may make. My car, my shop, my work. No excuses for the work of other men, there are none, other than the kind gift from Andi. I really liked doing this one, quite a bit of contemplation. Also to show Andi that his part had been put to use.... sfdon had put the challenge to me. In that I mean using an inexpensive A/F towards the eventual goal of stand alone EFI. In the mean time it tells me what the dinosaur jet is up to....tuning tool.
I have a stereo in the spot you chose. Pit falls for me....depth of the dash to firewall....too close for comfort but it works. Andi has since built a bit of a spacer to bring the panel towards a bit....more clearance. Dimensionally shorter gauges? Not sure as I worked with what I had...VDO standard.
As a side note....Andi put quite a bit of work into the gauge plates since he did mine.....4 gauge panels, machine faced, veneer, angled, you name it.