Club 80-90 Forums

I've got a simple throw switch on my van from maplins

I've just ordered one of these for when I fit the voltage gauge , wot do you think...Mark
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... &DOY=22m11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Be fine......

Just don't cut the required hole too big. Allow just enough to be able to push through and the spring lugs to hold it in place. Ideal switch.

pocolow wrote:I've just ordered one of these for when I fit the voltage gauge , wot do you think...Mark
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... &DOY=22m11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ok my Voltage gauge finally arrived from china today (took a month) and I plan to wire it up using the switch above^^ from Maplins. However any one any idea how to wire it as it has SIX terminals ..sorry If I'm being a bit dim here, but the switches mentioned on the thread only seem to have three terminals..Help..mark

The six terminals may actually be three in tandem - if you see what I mean. Just put a voltmeter across a pair and see if theres continuity, then you'll know. If you're unsure on doing that just dismiss one side and use the 3 on the other - chances are it'll work fine.

CovKid wrote:The six terminals may actually be three in tandem - if you see what I mean. Just put a voltmeter across a pair and see if theres continuity, then you'll know. If you're unsure on doing that just dismiss one side and use the 3 on the other - chances are it'll work fine.

Thanks for that when I get the van back from its mot work I'll get to it... Mark

Its a double pole, arranged in two rows of three. Select any row of three and forget the other three (not needed), use the centre one and connect this to the positive 12V (to the gauge). You are now left with two terminals either side, one goes to the Leis Batttery and the other to the Start Batttery. (Via fuses if you are using any).

fuses - what are they

Thanks guys I did a test run today wireing up the switch and voltmeter and testing it useing a 9v battery (from my smoke alarm) all working A OK . So next is to cut some holes in the heater blower casing and wire it up to a constant live in the fuse box(starter battery) and into the power feed for my radio (fed by constant live via aux fusebox from my leisure battery) Mark

Be warned though, you'll become part of the 'battery watcher club' - its bloomin addictive. Its the most useful mod I've dreampt up I think and that was only because I was so cheesed off not knowing what the heck was going on with the two batteries and the T25 dash is a pig to fit anything extra. It doesn't monitor amps but I've found it tells you enough to be honest - you get a feel for whats sapping the batteries and how long it takes to get a good charge in there. Now I know far too much about the state of both batteries for my own good. For instance, since I replaced my starter battery its becoming glaring obvious that my leisure (also a starter battery) is nowhere near as good at holding a change (drops to around 11.5 volts within a couple of days) so I'll have to replace it in the Spring. Hardly worth it over the winter.

Don't forget theres a tiny adjuster on one corner of the back of the meter to set it accurately. I used a reliable multimeter to get it right. Also, you need to drill, file, cut the hole for a snug fit but not so tight that it warps the display otherwise you'll get weird characters. Also, if you can fit a plug/socket between the wires to the meter, it makes it much easier to remove that cover if you ever need to. Wiring the stereo to the second battery is also worth doing - saves sapping the starter if you want to park up and listen.

CovKid wrote:Be warned though, you'll become part of the 'battery watcher club' - its bloomin addictive.

Thats a understatement

Spend more time looking at it than on the road

Thanks for all the advice and tips on fitting a voltmeter ,just finished fitting mine. I am now an official voltmeter voyeur.. Mark

Glad you took those Mark, I'll add em to the WIKI article. Funky mod though isn't it. To be honest I think where theres retro-fit split charging, its an invaluable addition. Rely on mine a lot and I never bothered with a mid 'off' position as it consumes so little and theres something reassuring about it glowing there in the dark. If you want to go a step further you can also disconnect the prefitted LED and replace it with one of your own, wired off the dash lights so it only lights up when needed - ie in the dark. That said it just doesn't use enough juice to warrant going that far. Besides with a mid 'off' it kinda solves that anyway.

Well done by the way - looks the biz.

By the way, he also supplies a matching temperature guage for £6. Anyone interested in that? If so I'll do a WIKI on how to fit it and wire to a sensor.

Should be way more accurate than the dashpod one.



In fact once I've got the temperature guage and fuel guage running through these meters, I'll start to look seriously at doing a full dash-pod upgrade. Its really those meters that make it difficult to do anything with it. I did have a long term plan to dispense with the dash pod altogether and fit a heads-up display that reflected off the windscreen - bit like this:



Ok, ok a little ambitious but definately dooable and much easier to keep clean. For those not familiar with a HUD (heads up display) it kinda looks like this:



Might talk to AngeloEVS about this and see what we could come up with. Theres a lot to be said for seeing your speed and all other info without having to take your eyes off the road but a fair bit to think about including reversing the display. Can be done though.