3 replies to this topic

[HarveyT]

Evening all.

So I'm wanting to buy some gauges to go in my dash but wanted to know what's involved with connecting the various options I want and how to go about it.

1. I am looking at a vacuum gauge such as this one:

http://www.minispare...sic/TIM008.aspx

Is it possible to fit this to an SPI and if so how?

I wasn't sure if the extra lengths of vacuum lines involved would disrupt the ECU readings.

2. I have a 2 cluster Speedo and fuel/temp set up as standard so I want a rev counter/tachometer.

What do I wire this to and do I need a certain type? Obviously I know it needs to be for a petrol engine and not diesel.

3. Amps/volts guage. I want to be able to read the performance of the alternator to make sure it's charging the battery properly or if anything is drawing too much power. Which one do I need and how do I go about wiring it?


Any help much appreciated.

I have a 1995 spi 1275.

Cheers

[viz139]

I have 3 clocks plus tacho added to my '96 SPi. I chose Vacumnn, time and oil pressure.

For the vacumnn I "T" into one of the vacumnn outlets on the back of the manifold.

For the Tacho I obtained a 3 dial cluster and swaped in my speedo to retain the correct milage. The wire for the tacho pulse is already there.

Amp gauges are very hard to wire correctly and if done poorly will effect the reliability of the whole car. They are more suited to cars with dynamos which have a lower output than altenators.

Personally I don't rate volt gauges as they only give the voltage at one point in the system, a bad connection or poor earth can mean that the voltage reaching the battery can be less than the gauge reading. The charge light will generally indicate the condition of the altenator. 

[HarveyT]

I have 3 clocks plus tacho added to my '96 SPi. I chose Vacumnn, time and oil pressure.
For the vacumnn I "T" into one of the vacumnn outlets on the back of the manifold.
For the Tacho I obtained a 3 dial cluster and swaped in my speedo to retain the correct milage. The wire for the tacho pulse is already there.
Amp gauges are very hard to wire correctly and if done poorly will effect the reliability of the whole car. They are more suited to cars with dynamos which have a lower output than altenators.
Personally I don't rate volt gauges as they only give the voltage at one point in the system, a bad connection or poor earth can mean that the voltage reaching the battery can be less than the gauge reading. The charge light will generally indicate the condition of the altenator.

Thanks Viz that's really helpful. What should I be paying for a 3 clock set up?? I see varying prices but not really sure what's fair.

[Frazer stuart]

1. For my vacuum gauge i 'T'd into the red vacuum line (inlet manifold to air box) and ran a silicone hose to the back of the gauge and it works beautifully.

Haven't fitted any of the others so can't help there