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Dials/guages


JST

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OK i am thinking of making a dash for the centre similar to Si Whites (tit for tat on copying!)

so dials etc was thinking

drivers dash - rev counter, coolant temp then 1 spare (suggestions)

centre dash (assuming room for 3)

fuel, voltmeter, plus one spare.

what would you put in the spare ones? clock is an option as i currently have one to fit although time is on the stereo so not a great issue.

oil temp? g/t/u box temps? oil pressure? EGT? turbo pressure?

what would be the most useful and would actually tell you something that you could do something about?

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This was something I tackled over the weekend. My dashboard houses a rev counter, fuel guage and coolant temp; my centre pod houses turbo boost ( I have a variable boost controller so this is quite helpful) a voltmeter and an EGT gauge ( this is vital for me considering the 90's current state of tune - its a good early indicator before you start warping and cracking things! :unsure: )

Horses for courses really - I suppose the electric winch guys with twin batteries may well want 1 (if not two) ammeters, and those with auto boxes will want to keep an eye on the temp of that.

These are just my thoughts, depends on what you've got and what you use it for (ooh er missus :blink: )

McS

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My standard panel houses from left to right as sat in drivers seat, Speedo,Rev counter,Water temp, Fuel, 4 gauge pod on top of dash houses from L to R --- batt condition gauge for winch batt, batt cond gauge for vehicle batt, oil temp & oil pressure, and a rectangular clock on the panel below the normal radio. :D

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[hijack mode on] Thanks for recommending that gauge pod, Ralph. I've got a three in the 90 and a four in the tomcat and they both look the dogs's b*ll*cks! [hijack mode off]

McS

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Main Dash: Speedo, revs & two water temperature (one on each head on GM V8)

Centre dash: Fuel level, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Volts, Amps & clock. I am considering EGT as like a previous post stated once the tuning increases so do the temps

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James, I have/plan to have a rev counter, fuel gauge and voltmeter (not ameter) in the main binicle then coolent, EGT, boost pressure, oil pressure, oil temp and gearbox oil temp in the centre console. I know it initially doesn't seem sensible to have all the engine gauges not in front of the driver but it means all the engine/transmisson gauges are in one place so a quick look lets you know everythings fine. If I was you I'd go for everything appart from a transmission temp gauge (not so much an issue on manuals). The only instriment I've lost is the clock which I never used.

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Main binnacle:

speedo/fuel/water temp/turbo boost

if I were to fit more:

volt meter not ammeter as I wouldn't want large amounts of current being carried up around the car near the other wiring

oil pressure

rev counter

there are some very nice double gauges in DT catalogue

ones that show EGT/Turbo boost in the same gauge

I already have an EGT/Boost otherwise I'd have got one of them, bit expensive but would have kept everything in the main pod

P_EDG211.jpg

Demon Tweeks selection

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In the 90 I've fitted rev counter, water temp, oil pressure and temp combined. And in the centre console I have fuel, clock and volts.

The temp and pressure guages are capiliary, if you're doing it you might as well do it right.

Volt meter may be changed for a better more accurate one (or two) when I fit the winch.

Air pressure guage will also be fitted when I install my on board air.

May put a temp guage in for the auto box too.

Think that's about it.

But with a tdi I'd be looking at boost and EGT, especially if there's any tweeking going on.

Like Tony says the duel guages can be a good way of saving dash space. Although I much prefer analogue guages to digital, easier to read with a quick glance IMHO.

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That dual gauge looks good, but I think I prefer an analogue boost gauge - one that you don't have to read.

OTOH I am happy with my digital EGT gauge as I only look at it when going up hills towing or other times when the temp will get high. And I do have an audible alarm in case I forget to look. I reckon the three important engine management gauges are Coolant temp (not the LR gauge), EGT and Boost. A rev counter on a tdi is a waste of time, I never look at it, though would be handy on a higher-revving motor.

I have the LR clock in the centre between the rear wipe and the cig lighter, and it is almost impossible to read unless one ducks down to the level of the gear lever.

Oh, and National Luna dual battery voltmeters in front of the cubby box. Not a good place really as the LED's are unreadable in sunlight.

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In the drivers binnacle I've got the Water temp/Rev counter and EGT guages

In the bunged together home made dash affair I've got , I have the fuel Guage, Battery guage and boost pressure(once its set you just need to know you're getting some "BOOST") and a couple of switches

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Well mine runs with a full compliment of three gauges:

Speedo, fuel and temp.

Requires a lot less wiring and less drain on the batter.

Keeps it simple and I don't need to worry till it stops :ph34r:

I have the standard compliment in the 1985, 110, 2.5 petrol as well, plus a rev counter and a vacuum guage which never, ever, enters the economy range but is great for indicating a proper idle 19-20 inHg.

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McS said:
[hijack mode on] Thanks for recommending that gauge pod, Ralph. I've got a three in the 90 and a four in the tomcat and they both look the dogs's b*ll*cks! [hijack mode off]

McS

IIRC the 4 gauge pod came from Europa Spares, can't remember how much though.

Europa Spares :D

this is mine

IMG_0240.jpg.646232714cc9feb39e162a3066630946.jpg

Edited by western
photo replaced
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Hi guys

I am new to this forum and this is my first post.

I started a thread on Difflock last night regarding additional monitoring gauges for the engine and another member kindly suggested that I try this forum.

I am interested in adding some gauges to my D90 Td5.

Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Water Temp, Turbo Boost and on reading this thread possibly a EGT.

What's the census on types of gauges in relation to using either electrical or mechanical/capillary ?

Any preferences to manufacturers?

I'm also thinking of a POD for 3 / 4 Gauges on top of Drivers Dash Binnicle. Has anybody got any suggestions for types of pods?

Any feedback will gratefully received.

Regards, gary :)

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A "Newbie member" still requiring some help please.

can I ask what EGT gauges & sensors (ie. manufacturer) you guys are using?

Also, would like some help & opinions with the choice of electrical or mechanical/capillary type gauges for water / oil temp & pressure??? Also which manufacturers to steer clear of and which you might recommend.

cheers, gary B)

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Hi guys, thanx for the rapid replies, appreciated :)

Hi Western

I think using original LR electrical gauges is good because they keep the continuity of the look and match the other vehicle gauges that I already have in the landy. I'm thinking that the electrical type maybe little easier to install than the mechanical type. Another benifit I see, is no risk of any hot fluids spraying into the cab area should I be unfortunate enough to suffer a leak in any of the pipe work of a mechanical type gauge. One reservation I have regarding the electrical type is acuracy, I think (but may stand to be corrected) that the mechanical / capilary type gauges are slightly more accurate.

I really would like to monitor the coolent temp as accurately as poss and ideally would like some type of early-warning system to draw my attention to an APPROACHING PROBLEM. I had the problem of overheating twice before on my Landy due to air trapped in the system. I eventually tracked the problem down no thanx to my Local LR Dealership and a so called "Specialist 4x4 company" that shall remain nameless. The first time I over heated I was on my way back from London on the A2 travelling about 70 when I just happened to look down at the Dials. I sh*t myself, the gauge was off the scale and I really didn't know for how long. I was lucky to be able to pull off straight away into some services and no damage done.

The second time was also a close encounter but this time when I looked the needle was just in the red. I appreciate that as a driver you really can't over monitor the vehicle dials too much but there is always that one time when you haven't noticed. I also don't have that much confidence in the acurracy of the OE gauges.

So I'm looking for a secondary coolant gauge that will sit on top of the dash along side other additional gauges. I'm looking for analogue gauges that have scales on the displays along with Engine Oil pressure and Oil Temp. I'm thinking if I have these important dials up high on the dash with all the normal operating postions of the needles pointing verticle, I will have more of a chance with a quick glance to see any approaching problems more quickly.

Hi Red90

I must say I do like the functions and automated colour coded displays of the Omega kit for the EGT, very smart.

I wish they did a round 52mm Coolant Temp gauge with all those functions, that would give me a lot more piece of mind regarding the above paragraghs.

My only reservation on my initial perusal of the gauges on that site is the size of the units. I'm really gonna struggle to fit something like that my very congested cab area.

For all the time I have owned my Defender Td5 I have resisted the temptation to have any engine power upgrades. I will go down that route eventually but before I do I want to install all of the above gauges plus the Turbo Boost and an EGT gauges. This will then allow me to monitor my engines perameters and note changes as I upgrade step by step.

Here are a few sites that I have came accross over the last couple of days researching the net on the subject of EGT gauges and probes.

http://www.red-ibex.com/EGTgauge.htm

http://www.turbobits.co.uk/acatalog/digita..._egt_gauge.html

http://redlinegauges.com/dieseltruckinfo.php

http://redlinegauges.com/info_pages.php?pa...a0087c34312fcdf

http://redlinegauges.com/installation.php

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.

Kind regards, gary B)

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