Gauges - Mechanical or Electrical? and why?

Electrical (9)   69%
Mechanical (0)   0%
VDO (1)   7%
AutoMeter (3)   23%

Total Votes: 13

2013/02/05 23:55:26
Dudeman
Ok, So i'm looking at putting three 52mm gauges into a din slot. Oil temp, oil pressure and transmission temp. Considering putting an aftermarket temp gauge in place of the factory jobbie. (Not sure if its possible, give it a crack though) I'd put a new fuel gauge in too just to match but for the trouble of installing the sensor i'll pass - that and the factory one tells me just fine whats going on with fuel.
 
Omori boost gauge is ordered and and its way to shoo the factory one out. I'm going to use an old n/a cable driven cluster, remove the volt meter and put the Omori in there. Looking for an ADM cable driven speedo to replace the JDM one in there.
 
Undecided to to with AutoMeter Cobalt range, look nice enough and they get good reports, or go with good functional VDO gauges. 
 
Edit*   So as a poll - what would you go for Electrical or mechanical?    VDO or AutoMeter?
2013/02/06 00:01:59
WIDEMR
I dont understand the poll. Elec, mechanical, vdo or autometer?
 
Elec or mech standard dash? or should you get elec or mechanical versions of aftermarket ect?
 
If the 2nd, if your getting oil temps and pressure, then the temp would have to be elec, and the pressure i would deff recommend elec, saves having high pressure hot oil lines running into cabin when you dont have to.
2013/02/06 00:08:45
Dudeman
WIDEMR

I dont understand the poll. Elec, mechanical, vdo or autometer?

Elec or mech standard dash? or should you get elec or mechanical versions of aftermarket ect?

If the 2nd, if your getting oil temps and pressure, then the temp would have to be elec, and the pressure i would deff recommend elec, saves having high pressure hot oil lines running into cabin when you dont have to.

 
I want to get some gauges, The poll > what would you go for - Electrical or mechanical, VDO or AutoMeter. Its a standard mech dash for my daily, going to try and put an aftermarket temp gauge in place of the factory one.
 
The other three, oil temp / pressure and trans temp are for the din slot.
 
So yes, looking for the answer you have just given, avoid the hot oil lines into the cabin when not necessary. 
 
 
2013/02/06 00:34:30
Eric
I would vote electrical as the last thing you want is oil inside the cabin...

I run a water temp, vacuum and oil pressure gauge in my car, all are electric bar vacuum.
 
2013/02/06 12:33:01
Reddtarga
No contest, go for electrical.
 
I chose VDO because they are a great match for the stock instrument panel with appearance and night time lighting.


 
I made the pod assy from 50mm plastic plumbing sockets and mounted them in the center console, above my one din unit CD/radio
But it took quite a bit of effort to fit them, because the pod is slightly larger than one din unit, so I had to scollop  the console housing at the top to get it to fit.
IMO it is the best spot to mount them for easy visibility.

Have you seen this: Check out a few posts down. I believe they are Prosport gauges and looks like they fit one din unit.
http://www.mr2australia.c...mp;m=51019&mpage=6
2013/02/06 15:10:34
Dudeman
Thanks for the example red. They are a very good looking gauge. 
 
Where did you source them? I have emailed a couple of suppliers in Australia but no replies.
The AutoMeter ebay seller in the US get back right away to any enquiry.
 
How deep is the VDO temp gauge? Was considering using in the factory ones place. 
2013/02/06 15:33:43
Senor_2
+1 for electrical gauges over mechanical
 
I think we were chatting briefly about this on the last club run, my previous Autometer Cobalt elec boost gauge reacted noticeably quicker than the Omori that I've replaced it with, something to consider between the different brands etc
2013/02/06 16:20:13
Mrskylighter
100% use electric gauges.
 
In my old car I installed a Defi Din gauge under the stereo which blended in with the rest of gauges in the car. (Same colour green backlighting etc)  
The Defi Din has two temperature gauges and one pressure gauge which you can use for whatever you like. All the senders are electrical.  
Pic below is the same I used.
 

 
I used it for coolant temp, oil temp and oil pressure but would work just as well with your gearbox fluid temp monitoring requirement.
 
It does cost a premium though, but is a bolt in (To the dash) solution which looks quality and is quality.
 
I think I bought it through Dylan (Gorilla Ind.)
  
2013/02/06 16:25:09
Reddtarga
Dudeman

Thanks for the example red. They are a very good looking gauge. 

Where did you source them? I have emailed a couple of suppliers in Australia but no replies.
The AutoMeter ebay seller in the US get back right away to any enquiry.

How deep is the VDO temp gauge? Was considering using in the factory ones place. 

Body length of all VDO gauges I have seen is 45mm + 20mm extra for the connectors = 65mm deep overall
I don't think one would fit very well in stock temp gauge position in the fascia even if you could squeeze it in because it may sit too far back.
I got my VDO gauges from a local supplier here in Geelong Vic, 'Gaugeworks' and it only took a couple of days for then to order them in.
I think the style I have  is 'cockpit vision', and I chose PSI for pressure, and degrees centigrade for temp.
 
With VDO stuff there are so many different types (black face,  white face etc) with different scale calibrations in metric, or imperial so you have to be careful what you order.
That would apply to most different brands of gauges as well, and check face diameters as well as depth because some of them vary a lot
 
Google is your friend to find out more on this stuff and don't buy anything till you research it thoroughly.
 
 
 
 
2013/02/06 17:47:21
gcat
auber is good gauges, for snap mounting. has a small dimensions (panel cutout 22x45mm) can display boost, egt, oit/water temp,voltage, fuel/oil pressure
they  present on ebay too with  any sensors
http://www.auberins.com/i...21&products_id=139
 
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