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Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 27 Jan 2014, 22:22
by kevtherev
For an early petrol that the OP has then it is a mare.
A separate pod is far easier.
Caravelles already have them but switching the tacho pod from one does not just involve the tacho.
It can be done but it's not plug'n'play
I thought diesels had tachos?
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 27 Jan 2014, 23:41
by Tufty_B
It looks like I need to do a bit more research before fitting a tacho in the dash pod to my 2.1 Caravelle.
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 15 Feb 2014, 22:02
by ScienceBoy
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261294541952? ... 1439.l2649
I just bought one of these. Can't lose for that money. Worth a go I reckon.
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 15 Feb 2014, 22:17
by Tufty_B
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 17 Feb 2014, 20:46
by willpom
Tufty_B wrote:I'm also thinking of adding a tacho, but I was looking at replacing the right hand clock in the instrument pod rather than adding an additional pod/clock.
I'd like to know people's reasons for choosing to add a standalone tacho rather swapping out the clock in the existing pod, is it just the cost?
Was thinking the same. My right 'pod' just has fuel and water temp gauge, there is a blank in the centre where I assume the clock or tacho if in original spec would have been fitted. Perhaps other gauges would have been differently arranged.
If I go down this route I was thinking one of these
http://www.justkampers.com/vdo-tachomet ... 00rpm.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I''ve had the dash instruments off this evening, being careful of the printed circuit ribbon stuff and disassembled to see my options. No space between the 2 gauges present. About 25mm from back of dial and base plate. So I've emailed VDO to see if there is any way the needle could be made to stand away from the module via a custom spindle. Then mount the module behind the base plate using spacers to clear printed circuit ribbon with spindle passing through to front of dial. Depending on depth of module may need to bring the entire dash instrument panel forward a bit to clear the brake fluid reservoir. These are my initial thoughts I'll wait to hear from VDO.
I know when to change gear, it's the misses though, she told me yesterday she'd driven 20 miles on the motorway in 3rd

Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 17 Feb 2014, 22:29
by CovKid
If you try to mount some other rev counter through the existing clock you'll give yourself one hell of a project and one you'll wish you never started. The correct and easiest way is to remove that complete clock and replace it with a proper rev counter as made for the T25 - which will have the extra guages built in. They do come up but are getting rarer, diesel ones even rarer so they say. Better to get a cheap dash mounted one until the right one comes along. In the end its less hassle and a lot cheaper.
A few have tackled more ambitious projects using clocks from other cars but its a wiring nightmare, some require specific sensors to work and I haven't seen one that I was really impressed by yet. Most were jobs half-started but never fully completed. Its not an easy pod to deal with by any means. A Pig in a poke is a better description. The plastic is very brittle now too - doesn't take much to break bits off the pod.
Kev, mines a Caravelle GL and it didn't have a rev counter fitted. May have been the case post-85 but mine didn't have one and it was definately the original pod.
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 17 Feb 2014, 22:37
by 300CE
I have one of those chinese rev counters ready to fit, however, I've seen this bad boy with shift light (so i know when to change after the nitrous kicks in

) for what looks like a good price of £22.00.
http://bit.ly/1bGjtiv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 17 Feb 2014, 22:39
by CovKid
Nothing wrong with optimism

Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 17 Feb 2014, 23:11
by ScienceBoy
Lol. And incompatible with air cooled VWs.
I'm going for the 52mm in the spare bit between the dials. Photos as it happens!
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 19 Feb 2014, 10:27
by willpom
CovKid wrote:If you try to mount some other rev counter through the existing clock you'll give yourself one hell of a project and one you'll wish you never started.
Looks like you are right there, with further investigation the VDO tacho module is far to deep to mount behind the dash pod even if I could elongate the spindle. Would have to move the pod forward by about 50mm. Shame.
ScienceBoy wrote:I'm going for the 52mm in the spare bit between the dials. Photos as it happens!
If there was a like button I'd be hitting it now.
Otherwise the cheap Chinese tacho as mentioned in the other thread sounds appealing both for cost and ease!
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 19 Feb 2014, 13:32
by 300CE
ScienceBoy wrote:I'm going for the 52mm in the spare bit between the dials. Photos as it happens!
Should look something like this:

Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 19 Feb 2014, 14:13
by willpom
300CE wrote:Should look something like this:
What's the extra gold knob thingy you got there under hazards & fog?
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 19 Feb 2014, 17:43
by 300CE
It's not a pic of my van Will so not sure mate although i'd like to think its some kind of oil slick release button for when there are baddies in pursuit

Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 20 Feb 2014, 00:18
by ScienceBoy
300CE wrote:
Should look something like this:
Exactly like that

Mine has a black face. Did you just hole saw through that face, or did you make a plate?
Re: wiring a rev counter
Posted: 20 Feb 2014, 22:23
by 300CE
ScienceBoy wrote:300CE wrote:
Should look something like this:
Exactly like that

Mine has a black face. Did you just hole saw through that face, or did you make a plate?
Hi scienceboy, the van isn't mine mate, i located the pic as I remembered seeing a van for sale with a 52mm rev counter in the centre. Does looks pretty smart.