Ashtray Gauges

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Spailpin Fanach
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Ashtray Gauges

Post by Spailpin Fanach »

Hi all. 

I thought I might install the following in place of the existing unused ashtray. 

https://www.slaughterhousecustoms.com/p ... es-rhd-lhd

I also thought I might change the gauges to coolant temperature and oil temperature. What do people advise? 

Also, how would I connect to engine? 

Many thanks
 
1989 LHD VW T3/Type25 1.6TD JX Westfalia California poptop, 5-speed. 


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ajsimmo
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by ajsimmo »

A version of the gauge pod is available from Brickwerks, so you know it'll fit, and be good quality.
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/twin-gauge ... k-rhd.html
(I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Slaughter house custom stuff, I've just never bought anything there, or heard any feedback.)

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Robsey
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by Robsey »

I believe Brickwerks do specify that the some gauge manufacturers are changing their gauge mountings from the "U" clamp style to a threaded locking ring format.

They were advising that only the U clamp style fitted their pods at present.

As for gauges themselves...
I thought you may have gone for the usual voltage and oil pressure gauges.
These are the two things that most T25 owners get paranoid about. .especially those with waterboxers.

I suspect your main cluster would have a coolant temperature gauge already.
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Stesaw
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by Stesaw »

Yeah the vdo gauges changed, I got a mix on my temp and pressure gauge. They are a very tight fit on the brickwerks pod.
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keynsham1
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by keynsham1 »

I went for a voltmeter and 52mm rev counter! Easy to wire up and look good!

Spailpin Fanach
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by Spailpin Fanach »

Robsey wrote: 30 Jun 2021, 11:17 I suspect your main cluster would have a coolant temperature gauge already.
Thanks Robsey

I don't trust my existing instrumentation. I had an alternator belt break last week while on a long trip. When the altenator/battery warning light came on, I stopped. The engine was steaming and the coolant boiled over. The expansion tank was empty and there was a bit puddle of coolant under the engine area. The coolant gauge was at zero and the warning light didn't light up. 

This is why I'm keen to have a backup system. 
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Schnippzle
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by Schnippzle »

This is exactly why I've opted to have a ScanGuage2 installed into a holder in the ash tray compartment. 
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Splurt
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by Splurt »

The ScanGauge2 looks great but only an option if you have upgraded your engine to one that is OBD2 compatible.

I recently added two temperature sensors (coolant and oil).  The temperature needle has always sat on the high side and I wanted a second gauge just for piece of mind.  It's nice to be able to put an approximate value to it, so far I haven't seen it rise above 90, with the fan kicking in when it is meant to.

I already had oil pressure and turbo pressure but decided to rehouse them into an ashtray pod from BW.  It meant a bit of butchery work to the dash, cutting a hole to fit the second pod.  I had the dash out at the time, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.  I had never been able to see the boost pressure so added a shade which has done the trick.  Very happy with it now.

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I had ordered one of the gauge adopters from BW but it turned out that I needed more.  I was able to modify the plastic ring holder to fit by trimming it down to have two legs that hold the gauge in the pod on a smaller amount of thread.  Worked a treat but I am not sure if the pod would take two gauges with this modified holder, I only used one per pod.

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DoubleOSeven
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Re: Ashtray Gauges

Post by DoubleOSeven »

I went for oil temp as this gives an idea of how the engine is performing and a rev counter, which has a nice party trick upon start up.

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