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tachometer light

Started by henge · around Apr 2005 · 17postsvBulletin 2004–05

This thread was saved without dates. "Around Apr 2005" is estimated from neighbouring threads.

hengedate not saved · #1

well my old steering wheel was falling apart, so i decided to get a new aftermarket one.. anyways, the one i got is a little bit smaller than the stock one, so now it is somewhat harder for me to see my gauges

so my idea is to somehow wire in a little LED that i can place in a highly visible location that will tell me when i get to certain RPM..

i was wondering if anyone had any idea of how i could go about doing this, and how i could get the light to turn on once it hits that certain RPM

geoffdonkdate not saved · #2

i love the idea, something like:

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/25/b7/a6_12_s.JPG

but 100 times less flashy just for you, not so all the passengers know when you're shifting. just a neat little white or red or green or whatever color lcd wired up somewhere.

hengedate not saved · #3

exactly.. and still be able to use it with the stock Tach rather than having to buy one of those ricer-rific 10" tachs

sidewaysdate not saved · #4

try this
http://store.racinglab.com/piledshupinl.html

but you could also use a msd rpm activated window switch with a relay and an ordinary bulb of some sort

Nebuchernezzerdate not saved · #5

There are quite a few i've seen available over the years, and alot less expensive than anything made by pivot. You can probably buy a kit from Jaycar or whatever your equivalent shop is.

hengedate not saved · #6

well i would rather prefer to make it myself for 3 reasons

1. there is a pretty good chance that i can make anything cheaper than i can buy it already made.

2. i enjoy being able to make stuff myself and getting experience making custom stuff

3. i can make it look how I want too, not how some company designed it too look

Nebuchernezzerdate not saved · #7

A jarcar kit would probably suit you then since you have to solder the thing together anyways and make whatever mods you see fit. I'll have to see if i can find a catalouge, i'm sure they have one.

hengedate not saved · #8

is this what you are talking about?
https://secure2.vivid-design.com.au/jaycar/productView.asp?ID=KC5265&CATID=25&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=347

not to get my own thread off topic:
but also,.. for the rest of you guys check this site out:
https://secure2.vivid-design.com.au/jaycar/productResults.asp?whichpage=1&pagesize=10&keywords=&CATID=25&SUBCATID=347&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&SPECIAL=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=
they've got some neat stuff like DIY turbo timer for like $17 or an intelligent turbo time for $25.90
This great module uses input from an airflow, oxygen, or MAP sensor to determine how hard the car has been driven. It then uses this information to calculate how long the car needs to idle, reducing unnecessary idle time. The sensitivity and maximum idle time are both adjustable

Arrodate not saved · #9

Just convert to digital dash, buy two lenths of long wires and 1 LED of whatever color you choose. Wire it to the existing LED that represents that RPM range. Locate new LED wherever you desire.

FIN.

Spooleddate not saved · #10

Eeeeeew Digital dash. :throwup: LOL

Alex Frostdate not saved · #11

Eeeeeew Digital dash. :throwup: LOL
Digital is the way to go...as long as the solder joints are still ok you are golden...except for the part about changing parts of the wiring harness to accomodate it...

I'll see if I can dig anything up for the signal to splice it off, and make something work...Out of curiosity do you know what rpm you want it to go on at??

hengedate not saved · #12

i'd probably have it go off at around 3500rpm,.. but if possible i'd even like to do something like have a green go off at 2K, yellow at 3.5K, and then red at 5K,.. but i know that might be pushing it

i dont want it for racing or anything.. just for everyday driving.. my speedo doesnt work so i drive by the RPM, and it makes it a little harder now not being able to see the tach

Spooleddate not saved · #13

Can you just adjust the tilt on the steering column so you can see it? It might be worth it to get rid of that steering wheel if not. Why go to all that trouble?

hengedate not saved · #14

oh its no trouble at all.. its just a fun little project,.. i love tinkering around and making stuff

and plus.. i paid:

$59.99 + tax for the wheel
$15.99 + tax for the install kit
$16.99 + tax for the hub extension

so i'm not getting rid of it too soon

Zmandate not saved · #15

How about this then?

http://hem.bredband.net/gabvar/Uppgrades%20on%20my%20car.html

(click on the second video from the bottom of the page)

hengedate not saved · #16

that is awesome! exactly what i was thinking of doing..

please do tell how you did it!!

Zmandate not saved · #17

There is a local guy that sells DIY kits. I think I payed something arround 30$ for the kit

http://www.jetronic.se/elektronikbyggsatser.htm#shift

Defenitly worth the price