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Adding Gauges

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:05 pm
by Purfler
Because I am paranoid I like lots of gauges telling me what is happening. How does one go about adding a volt or ammeter to an NA without doing horrible things to the dash or anywhere else. It seems to me that someone should have made something that just plugs into the cancerstick lighter.

Suggestions?

Tim

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:10 pm
by hks_kansei
there's a blank pocket under teh radio, you can utilise this to fit gauges in.

there are kits that have pre-cut holes for gauges. (you'll need to check the NA has a standard sized pocket)

like this:
Image

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:45 pm
by slug_dub
Here's a couple of other variations on a theme

http://mx5mania.com.au/product1665.htm
http://www.rev9autosport.com/na/interio ... -pods.html

Also, there's many examples of gauges fitted in the eyeball A/C vents if you can live without one or two of those. :)

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:20 pm
by Jeo
Volt meters can also be added as simple digital displays. Finding space for a small rectangular display is easier than finding space for a full round gauge.

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:39 pm
by Purfler
Thanks all for the replies. I like the idea of a small digital display for the volts. I really want to know the alternator is doing its thing - having suffered from failures before...

Tim

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:19 pm
by Locutus
isn't that what the battery light is for in the instrument cluster?
red = bad

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:57 pm
by sliq

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:12 pm
by philz
Purfler wrote:Because I am paranoid I like lots of gauges telling me what is happening. How does one go about adding a volt or ammeter to an NA without doing horrible things to the dash or anywhere else. It seems to me that someone should have made something that just plugs into the cancerstick lighter.

Suggestions?

Tim


So do you just want a voltmeter?

Do you need oil temp/pressure, water temp?

Not sure why you need a voltmeter, unless you have hectic stereo with 10 subs and amps.
Money is better spent on getting a new battery, and you are now sure that it's got the right amount of volts.

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:34 pm
by sliq
philz wrote:So do you just want a voltmeter?

Do you need oil temp/pressure, water temp?

Not sure why you need a voltmeter, unless you have hectic stereo with 10 subs and amps.
Money is better spent on getting a new battery, and you are now sure that it's got the right amount of volts.


c'mon philz, no need to be cynical. how do you know his car isn't loaded with 2 12"subs and is used for George St purposes? :mrgreen: too hec71c brah

Re: Adding Gauges

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 4:23 pm
by Purfler
Sorry, didn't see the later replies. Fair question about the other gauges - but oil pressure is staring me in the face and coolant temp is a bit to the right. I just like to know what's happening with the electrics - weird, but there you go. I did find exactly the kind of thing I had originally thought of on ebay - a digital voltmeter that plugs in the lighter socket. Cost about $10 so I'm happy now...

Tim