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LH / LX Electronic instrument cluster conversion

Started by _434LX_ , Nov 06 2014 10:25 PM

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106 replies to this topic

#51 UC308Hatch

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Posted 23 April 2015 - 06:22 AM

I assume that the speed limit doesn't drop in the tunnel? If not, then check your rpm before entering the tunnel against your speedo & use rpm to maintain speed 😉

Edited by UC308Hatch, 23 April 2015 - 06:22 AM.

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#52 TerrA LX

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Posted 23 April 2015 - 08:03 AM

So on the M5, where you go several meters under ground then back up again, your rpm will remain the same?
there will be no truck, etc, you have to slow down for?

Variable speed limits and cameras in our tunnels, yes, we have several in NSW, all avoidable, but except for toll dodging, why would you go out of your way.
I wouldn't risk it.

Anyhow, sweet looking dash conversion, and appreciate the work gone into it.

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#53 Lima31

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Posted 23 April 2015 - 08:15 AM

It's possible to use a conditioned accelerometer signal to work out any realtime changes in speed in tunnels provided it is constantly powered, but I doubt all the units would have that.

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#54 axistr

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Posted 23 April 2015 - 08:32 AM

434LX I used to fit GPS speed boxes up to drive electronic speedos for trucks and a few hot rods. They are the size of a small match box. I was the Australian agent for Ultra-Link products which we imported from Canada. I think I still have some brochures and tech data on them. And may still have one sitting in the shed draw, haven't looked for it since we moved. Some tunnels have repeater signals to compensate for no visual signal. Can't remember which one but the truck drivers said that only two tunnels the speedo signal drop out.

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#55 _434LX_

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Posted 24 April 2015 - 02:43 AM

The tunnel issue will vary depending on your location.

As Datto said, here in WA we only have one tunnel and most people struggle to do the limit in there anyway.

Speedhut offer VSS and GPS speedo's so anyone concerned with the GPS option can go for a VSS unit instead - problem solved.

Axistr - Drop me a PM, would love to read some of the tech data.

The first prototype gauge fascia decal has been printed and its on its way to me as I type. I'll post up some progress pics soon.

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#56 _434LX_

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Posted 24 April 2015 - 02:49 AM

Looking forward to the results. Are you going to use led strip lighting? Would be cool to get a nice uniform illumination across the dash, unlike the stock dash

Actually going to try out flexible neon EL cable first.

It's 12v, very thin, flexible and has uniform light intensity

Like this

http://www.ebay.com....=item2a49298f63

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#57 UCgazman

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Posted 24 April 2015 - 12:13 PM

As Datto said, here in WA we only have one tunnel and most people struggle to do the limit in there anyway....

lol I'd slow down in there but the echo makes the car sound awesome!

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#58 DanWA

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Posted 06 May 2015 - 03:18 PM

Still dropping in 2-3 times a week for this haha

Tacho left, VSS Speedo Middle (i have an elec speedo output fitted to my T400, Quad Gauge right.... mmmm can't wait!

Already sold one of my SLR Clusters for this, Another one to go shortly and have a mint SL cluster for donor

Edited by DanWA, 06 May 2015 - 03:19 PM.

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#59 _Boasey_

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Posted 08 May 2015 - 06:51 PM

Very Cool project 434LX.

Looking forward to getting more updates on this,

Will Defiantly be interested if you decided to sell kits.

Keep up the good work.

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#60 _434LX_

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Posted 08 May 2015 - 11:22 PM

Update - The Decals have been done and I will do some photos over the weekend.

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#61 _434LX_

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Posted 09 May 2015 - 10:17 PM

I've taken on the graphic design now
Very happy to be part of such a great project

Will most defiantly buy purchasing a unit for my hatch

Paul has done a fantastic job of the fascia decals !

He even through in some design ideas to stir the imagination.

And a trial fitment shows the sizing is spot on.

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#62 _434LX_

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Posted 09 May 2015 - 10:24 PM

So on with the conversion we go.....

I dummy fitted the gauges with the spacer rings to check clearence.

Note how thin these speedhut units are, so easy to work with.

Then I marked out the position of the spacer ring with a marker pen.

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#63 _434LX_

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Posted 09 May 2015 - 10:30 PM

Next, I gave the surface a quick rough up with some wet and dry and wiped the surface with a bit of metho.

I have tried a few adhesives over the years and found JB Weld to be excellent for small jobs like this.

My local Auto One stocks it.

One last check to make sure everything is OK before the glue goes on

And stick the spacer rings down. I'll wait 24 hours before touching it again.

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#64 Bigfella237

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Posted 09 May 2015 - 10:33 PM

~ He even through in some design ideas to stir the imagination.

LOL... too bad if you want to put them in a sedan!

Even the smallest "SS" is still too big for my liking but I like where he's going, maybe run some off with an "SL/R" alternative for those with surplus doors?

Seriously though, nice work so far to all concerned.

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#65 _434LX_

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Posted 09 May 2015 - 10:36 PM

Back to my idea for remote mounting the Gauge selection buttons....

If you read this far, you will remember that I removed the selection buttons from the two gauges.

My plan is to remote mount these under the dash.

One button for the Speedo and Two buttons for the shift light Tach, for a total of three.

I found a nice small jiffy box at Jaycar along with some good quality momentary push buttons.

I simply drilled 3 holes and mounted the switches for a tidy little unit that will mount under the dash (or anywhere you want).

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#66 toryman76

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Posted 15 June 2015 - 10:25 PM

G'day Andrew. I am following this with great interest. Love the attention to detail. I am curious to know how you will mount the custom panel with the guages into the body of the cluster as I am thinking of trying something similar for my build. Cheers

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#67 _434LX_

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Posted 19 June 2015 - 10:41 AM

G'day Andrew. I am following this with great interest. Love the attention to detail. I am curious to know how you will mount the custom panel with the guages into the body of the cluster as I am thinking of trying something similar for my build. Cheers

Im working on a solution to fitting the fascia to the body at the moment.

I normally try a few methods and pick the easiest / best method and use that as the next steps on here.

This fist one will be the hardest, but once complete, I will offer everything people require to D.I.Y. in a kit.

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#68 axistr

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Posted 19 June 2015 - 11:31 AM

Sorry 434LX forgot to give you the info on the Skydrive G.P.S speedo drivers. Have a look at the link below.

I checked my shed and the one I thought I had, I've either sold it or its been lost in the move. We stopped bringing them into the country as the Australian distributor when we sold our business.

I fitted around 12 units until the manufacturer decided to do a world wide exclusive deal with a instrument retailer. I don't know if the contract is still relevant, however the owner of the business is Tim Stevenson, I haven't spoken to him for a few years but I can shoot him a PM if you need any further info.

Lenny.

www.c-a-i.net/products.php

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#69 _434LX_

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Posted 01 July 2015 - 10:23 AM

OK time for an update....

I have been experimenting on a few methods to retain the new fascia panel into the cluster box.

The best I have come up with is to JB weld a few long bolts onto the back of the fascia plate.

Test piece

Using a nut and washer on the inside and outside of the cluster box, I can adjust the height of the fascia plate.

Because I chose to retain the factory fuel gauge, that also helps retain the fascia.

I JB welded that on too !

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#70 _434LX_

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Posted 01 July 2015 - 10:37 AM

ILLUMINATION

A while back I said I was going to try and illuminate the cluster with white EL wire, due to its uniform light output.

I finally got a kit from China and set to work gluing the EL wire to the fascia cover plate. As a side note, you can cut the EL wire to any length.

With a bit of farting about the the wire was fitted and ready to test.

So far so good.

But when I put a dummy fascia in to test it, I found that there was a strong reflection of the wire shining back at me.

Sorry for the crappy low light iPhone pics...

I chalked this one up to experience and moved on to the next idea. :dontknow:

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#71 _434LX_

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Posted 01 July 2015 - 10:55 AM

ILLUMINATION PART 2

Looking forward to the results. Are you going to use led strip lighting? Would be cool to get a nice uniform illumination across the dash, unlike the stock dash

As TUF308 pointed out earlier, another option would be led strip lights. This was my next option to try.

I had a few multi color led strip lights laying about from some other projects, but I decided to order a plain white strip for my test.

The controllers occasionally fail on multi color strips and the last thing I need is a disco in my face some night when driving home ! :party:

Because the led strips are much brighter than EL wire, I could fit the strip behind the fascia and use the reflected light.

A quick test run and I think we have a winner.

Dummy the fascia up and it looks great ! (The iPhone over exposed the photo a bit - there isn't a radical glow in reality)

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#72 _434LX_

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Posted 05 July 2015 - 09:24 PM

It's been raining all weekend, so I decided to get my ass into gear and finish this dash project up.

The speedo and tacho were dropped into position and screwed to the plastic spacer rings I fitted earlier.

I then fitted the group of six warning lights on the right hand side.
There were a few JD and cokes flowing, so I missed a few photos of the assembly stage.

Next began the fun part, wiring it all up.
Rather than take a photo of the rear of the cluster and confuse everyone, I put together a bit of a schematic.
I utilised the standard cluster plug for the bulk of the wiring.

I also added a new plug to run wires to the remote switch box.
The switch box was quite fiddly to do. As with this whole project - Do not attempt if you don't have the skill set required !

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#73 _434LX_

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Posted 05 July 2015 - 09:30 PM

Next on the agenda is to refit the needles. This time, an easy job.
The needles simply push back onto the servo shaft (pin). Make sure the needle is not at zero.

Because the servo drives have a zero stop, it is just a matter of pushing the needle back against the stop until it reaches zero.

And wha-la

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#74 _434LX_

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Posted 05 July 2015 - 09:47 PM

A new set of clear lenses were sourced from rare spares and glued into place.
Make sure not to use super glue as it leaves white shit everywhere. I used a hot glue gun.
The cluster almost ready for fitting !

I am a firm believer in checking connections before assembly.
Using a power supply I bench tested the cluster to ensure everything is going to work before I bolt it in.
Everything came up great, so I moved onto the main loom in the car. Here is where checking your work pays off.
There was no power to the grey wire which supplies 12+ve for the dash lights. A bit of poking and prodding with a multimeter revealed
the grey wire had come off the back of the fuse block. A simple fix and we were in business !

With the cluster in place and dash back together, I sat back with another JD thinking, thank F@*( that is over !
Here are a few photos of the finished project. Again, sorry for the crappy pics full of reflections