Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Cheers. So I take the leisure is connected to one side of the switch and the starter battery to the other?
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Whereabouts on the fuse box did you tap into? And if I did a direct wire what size fuse would I need?AngeloEvs wrote:Mines wired to the fuse box but you could equally wire it to the terminal of the battery via a fuse
Sorry for being a pest everyone

- CovKid
- Trader
- Posts: 8411
- Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 3529
- Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Yep, to monitor both batteries, just look for a switch with three terminals which will lallow you to switch between either (although no off position) - - mines like that and meter consumes so little I leave it on permanently. A two-pole switch will allow you to monitor one battery or switch meter off.
The ideal (and snobby AngeloEVS has one of those
) is a three-position/three-click switch that has a centre off position. That way you can monitor either or switch off meter. Depends what you want to monitor and how you'd like it wired.
You only need a single wire from either batter source (you could just find out which fuse/connection has 12v with everything switched off. Thats what I did.
The only thing I will add is with the voltmeter, you can get obcessed by it. All of a sudden you have a full monitoring system and you start to see what eats power. Switching the stereo on when you're driving won't alter things too much but it does when you park up. Not uncommon to see it dip well below 11 volts depending on volume. Likewise any other appliances soon make their presence felt....
Additionally, if your alternator stops charging, it will become glaringly obvious.
The ideal (and snobby AngeloEVS has one of those

You only need a single wire from either batter source (you could just find out which fuse/connection has 12v with everything switched off. Thats what I did.
The only thing I will add is with the voltmeter, you can get obcessed by it. All of a sudden you have a full monitoring system and you start to see what eats power. Switching the stereo on when you're driving won't alter things too much but it does when you park up. Not uncommon to see it dip well below 11 volts depending on volume. Likewise any other appliances soon make their presence felt....
Additionally, if your alternator stops charging, it will become glaringly obvious.
Last edited by CovKid on 05 Oct 2009, 09:24, edited 1 time in total.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
- eatcustard
- Registered user
- Posts: 1817
- Joined: 27 Oct 2008, 07:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 6062
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
The switch (I have shown a link to) is just on and off for the Leisure battery only
https://www.penguinjones.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; PM me for your 10% discount
- CovKid
- Trader
- Posts: 8411
- Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 3529
- Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Simple diagram using different switches added to the WIKI
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ging_cause" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ging_cause" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Cheers all
Just found one of these in my drawer. http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2360" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Initially got it for switching radio from starter to leisure but it was too big and I knew it would come in handy one day

Just found one of these in my drawer. http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2360" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Initially got it for switching radio from starter to leisure but it was too big and I knew it would come in handy one day

- AngeloEvs
- Registered user
- Posts: 1345
- Joined: 22 Nov 2007, 19:22
- 80-90 Mem No: 4709
- Location: Upwell, Norfolk
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Me a SNOB......
Any way, here's a 'centre off' toggle switch for other likeminded snobs..........http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=2341

1987 DG Karisma LPG with remodelled interior
- CovKid
- Trader
- Posts: 8411
- Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 3529
- Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
I suppose if we wanted to get really silly, we could mount a subminiature switch beneath the driving seat so that when you sat down it monitored starter battery, stand up and it monitors leisure. Have vision of EatCustard and AngeloEVS jumping up and down in traffic 

Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
- eatcustard
- Registered user
- Posts: 1817
- Joined: 27 Oct 2008, 07:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 6062
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
CovKid wrote: Have vision of EatCustard and AngeloEVS jumping up and down in traffic







https://www.penguinjones.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; PM me for your 10% discount
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Hey, eatcustard, thanks for the link - it seems to suggest ALL the wiring is already there in the multiplug to add a rev counter... is that really the case? 12 volt ignition, fair enough, lights yes, even the earth... but is there really a terminal from the coil already installed in the multiplug in an 82 Aircooled?? 

- eatcustard
- Registered user
- Posts: 1817
- Joined: 27 Oct 2008, 07:26
- 80-90 Mem No: 6062
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Hi Helga.
Not sure on an Aircooled.
You can take the binnacle off and have a look.
Not sure on an Aircooled.
You can take the binnacle off and have a look.
https://www.penguinjones.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; PM me for your 10% discount
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Now, just reading another post and somebody said it was better to fit an engine oil pressure dial rather than an oil temp gauge... which would you all recommend for making sure I don't mess up the engine? 

- CovKid
- Trader
- Posts: 8411
- Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 3529
- Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
- Contact:
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Pressure
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
So, an oil pressure dial for my 1982 Aircooled - what pressure should it go up to and is it as easy to fit as an oil temperature gauge? 

Re: Fitting a temperature gauge and a volt meter...
Hey, would this do the job? I found it on Ebay - screws into the oil filter housing.. what do you think, could then easily have oil pressure AND temperature realatively easily and cheaply...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Oil-Pressure-Temp ... 286.c0.m14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Oil-Pressure-Temp ... 286.c0.m14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;