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#1 Deathrow

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Posted 03 January 2008 - 02:12 PM

I'm starting to think about my custom dashboard design and I'd like to get some new gauges for it as my current 2 gauge setup doesn't look very good at all.

I see many cars that use gauges that look quite modern (see image below) but I don't understand how they could work in the Mini being that it has a mechanical speedometer.

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I'd like a modern looking speedometer and tachometer in the same size. Much like those pictured, but again I have no idea how they would work with the Mini.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me and help me understand what options I have?

Thanks,
Adam

#2 Jammy

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Posted 03 January 2008 - 03:15 PM

Its not that hard to fit an electronic speedo that runs off a Hall Sensor. Basically its a magnet that you stick to a driveshaft, drum brake backplate, wheel. When it passes the sensor it induces an electronic pulse, the speedo then reads how many pusles its getting in a given timeframe and by using the wheel diameter (which you input) it can work out your speed.

Other guages are generally pretty easy to install using the standard sensors, except an Ammeter, which can be dangerous if you don't get the wiring right, given the amount of current it has to cope with.

#3 Deathrow

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Posted 03 January 2008 - 03:48 PM

Its not that hard to fit an electronic speedo that runs off a Hall Sensor. Basically its a magnet that you stick to a driveshaft, drum brake backplate, wheel. When it passes the sensor it induces an electronic pulse, the speedo then reads how many pusles its getting in a given timeframe and by using the wheel diameter (which you input) it can work out your speed.

Other guages are generally pretty easy to install using the standard sensors, except an Ammeter, which can be dangerous if you don't get the wiring right, given the amount of current it has to cope with.

Thanks Jammy.

Are electronic speedos like that sold as a pack or would I need to buy a speedo from a modern car and then some sort of pulse module to feed it the correct info? I was under the understanding that modern cars take their speed readings directly from the ECU? Or am I wrong?

Yeah I read a post about ammeters and how much wiring there is to them. To be perfectly honest, if I could get a matching speedometer and tachometer to put in the middle of my dash I wouldn't be too fussed about any other gauges, maybe a temperature gauge for good measure.

Thanks again Jammy.

#4 Jammy

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Posted 03 January 2008 - 03:51 PM

Some modern cars do take their speedo and/or tacho readings from the ECU, some even take them from a sensor in the gearbox.

Most aftermarket speedos generally have a sensor kit you can buy for them.

Its generally easier to buy and fit an aftermarket guage than adapt one from a modern car.

#5 Deathrow

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Posted 03 January 2008 - 03:58 PM

Some modern cars do take their speedo and/or tacho readings from the ECU, some even take them from a sensor in the gearbox.

Most aftermarket speedos generally have a sensor kit you can buy for them.

Its generally easier to buy and fit an aftermarket guage than adapt one from a modern car.

Ahh I see.

I'll have a route round the net and post again in here if I can't find what I'm looking for.

Thanks again Jammy.




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