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View Full Version : Small size digital gauges in clock bay



MarkSanne
17-01-2015, 12:02 AM
Many years ago (must be around 8 now?) I believe I was the first to have a set of gauges in the clock bay. To be fair, it wasn't my idea, it was my buddy Mark (aka 'Dutch Driver'). Although it's a very tight fit you can just fit 3x 52mm gauge.

Over the years one gauge stopped working, then another one had a faulty sensor and finally the boost gauge also broke.

Even though it looks really good, the readability of that setup is not ideal. Especially if your tall (like me). So this time, I wanted a set of smaller diameter gauges so it would both fit more easily and have better readability. I didn't find much, but finally I ran into gauges with just 37mm diameter display. Simple digital readout which is easy to read but not as sexy as these smokes analog gauges. Then again, they were cheap so I went for it. Installing them in the bay is without much effort :) Wiring everything up is not hard, but it takes a few hours.

That included creating a smoked plexiglass window with 2 mounts that screw into the top deck so it's held in place nicely. It also slightly dims the light output which I really don't mind as they are quite bright! Would be even better in white LED though, maybe on a rainy day :)

So far only the Boost sensor is completely functional, the other 2 are all wired up, but lacking sensors as I didn't receive my new oilfilter sandwidge plate yet.
After some spirited driving the max boost readout was 0,7bar which seems correct as it's still running stock.
When I've modified my new 34" wide intercooler and get a reprogrammed ECU it will be interesting to see what this old beast can deliver :)

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Erni902
17-01-2015, 12:27 AM
Looks good mate 10 times better than the 52mm option :thumbsup:

Davezj
17-01-2015, 03:30 PM
looking nice very slick.

Bobby~d
17-01-2015, 06:48 PM
That's very cool. Looks awesome as well

MarkSanne
19-01-2015, 05:46 PM
Did a bit more work on this.

Here's the smoked plexiglass piece:

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First some daylight pics:

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I tried to create some white rings around the gauges which would light up with IGN on.
From 3mm thick teflon I created a frame with three 37mm holes in it. As the teflon is white a LED behind it it lights it up just fine.
So then to cover up most of the white surface I sticked black tape to it and cut out 40mm holes.

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Moment of truth... the light from the single LED I put in the clock bay area had a to warm color causing the teflon to look yellow-ish.

(forgot to make a photo!)

Still... with some whiter LEDs and better light distribution and better cutting of the black tape I think it can totally work!

crazydriver81
19-01-2015, 11:23 PM
interesting option. and good work too Mark. Can you give us some more details about the gauges (manufacturer aso)?

MarkSanne
20-01-2015, 08:56 AM
The brand is EPMAN and I bought them online here:
Boost: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251687378865
Oil pressure: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251772102329
Oil temp: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261715415696
But they have a whole range of these gauge for other applications too. I didn't find them online so I contacted this eBay seller and they were quick to add them to their eBay store.

crazydriver81
20-01-2015, 08:52 PM
Thanks for the info - you can buy the gauges via Aliexpress too :)

MarkSanne
20-01-2015, 09:55 PM
Oh really!? I like Ali more and more :)