Putting gauges on steering column or dash

#1

Has anyone seen a solution that they liked to do this? I’m leaning towards replacing my 2 5/8th gauges with 2 1/16th inch gauges because the smaller ones have analog “outs” that I can connect to the Traqmate. That means logging data without installing additional sensors, and it also means that the data logger is getting the exact same info. No worries about how a different sensor is getting different info because of location or calibration issues.

But if I’m going to consider smaller gauges, I want to get them closer to me. The 2 5/8th inch gauges are in the center console, a solution I never liked all that much anyways. So I’m looking around for ideas re. how I might get those 2 1/16th inch gauges close to me. Ideas?

#2

Ranger wrote:

[quote]Has anyone seen a solution that they liked to do this? I’m leaning towards replacing my 2 5/8th gauges with 2 1/16th inch gauges because the smaller ones have analog “outs” that I can connect to the Traqmate. That means logging data without installing additional sensors, and it also means that the data logger is getting the exact same info. No worries about how a different sensor is getting different info because of location or calibration issues.

But if I’m going to consider smaller gauges, I want to get them closer to me. The 2 5/8th inch gauges are in the center console, a solution I never liked all that much anyways. So I’m looking around for ideas re. how I might get those 2 1/16th inch gauges close to me. Ideas?[/quote]

Ranger,

Just some thoughts …

Are the sensors 0-5v? If so, why not just posi-tap off the leads before the gauge and not move all your gauges around and save your self the money :slight_smile:

As a sanity check - If the sensors are ohm based, do the gauge outs provide 0-5v?

  • Dan
#3

Ranger, I have a Traqmate Data Logger that I used pretty extensively on my SC’d Miata. IIRC you can’t tap off the wiring of a gauge sending unit. It compromises the reading you’ll get (altered resistance). I’m pretty sure you need a seperate sender for your data logger circuits.

Things I logged on my Miata were RPM, Brakes(on/off tapped off a brake light wire), Throttle Position, Boost and Wide Band O2(Innovate).

What would I log on my SE30? Hadn’t thought about it too much. Let’s see - RPM, Brakes(optionally upgraded to a inline pressure transducer), Oil Pressure(which would require a separate sending unit). You can’t log Throttle position on these particular BMWs - the TPS isn’t a potentiometer, it’s just a pair of microswitches indicating the extreme ends of the throttle range. Steering input would be nice. I have some ideas based on a belt driven potentiometer or a Hall Effect based sensor. I’m not sure on what you’d gain from installing the Innovate Wideband other than not liking what the DME is doing, but - what the hell.

I have an ETA dash cluster currently in my car. The tach is off and probably the speedo too, since the car is an ETA based build. Traqmate has a programmable smart dash that should be available sometime between Dec and March. In the mean time I’m trying to be patient.

#4

I went ahead and got the Stack 2 1/8th gauges that have analog “outs”. I also found a gauge pod sort of thing from rallyroad that looks like it will allow me to put the gauges on the steering column, while allowing some adjustability so idiot lights won’t get obscured.

I currently log rpm and OP. OT and coolant T are next. The biggest reason for logging much of that is that it allows me to test various ideas I dream up when I’m bored.

I agree that attempting to piggy back on a gauge’s sensor is unlikely to work.

#5

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/sharp-ir-distance-sensor-gp2d12.aspx

Just in case your bored enough to measure suspension travel.