Altimeter & level

[CovKid]

Just stripped this apart (think it came from a Pajero - had it a few years), removed the tungsten bulbs and fitted some green LEDs and 270 ohm resistor to match dash lights. Should help no end with levelling. Challenge tomorrow is fitting it to the dash on an equal level.

E D I T: My mistake, its from a Mitsubushi Delica - stupid money on ebay though.

[ghost123uk]

Plus the Altimeter will tell you when it's time to get out the oxygen masks.

[CovKid]

Be interesting actually as I'll be far more aware of altitude when driving through places like Wales. Its about 80 metres above sea level here so will use that as a starting point. Will find out how accurate it is. The levelling bit is great as it covers both directions. Used to use a spirit level so it will be a worthwhile addition. I just happened to be there when someone was stripping the car prior to scrapping. They seem to go for £100+ second-hand when complete - seems a bit steep.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... i&_sacat=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heres one for £30 though if anyone wants to play with one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mitsubishi-pa ... 3aaf826503" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - more use than an ammeter I'd say and not out of keeping with shape of T25 clocks. Speaker grill or ashtray seems perfect area for it. The two-clock version I've got is self contained though (only external wiring is for lighting) - others may need inputs like a temperature probe etc (no idea) so possibly more complicated to install.

[AdrianC]

Without wanting to put a damper on it all, the one in my Shogun was fairly useless. The level bobbled around everywhere seemingly at random, and the altimeter works on barometric pressure, so you'd need to adjust it to your known starting altitude every day and hope the weather doesn't change.

It added so little value, I left it in the Shogun when it went to live on a farm.

A gps app on a smartphone (not navigation, just basic gps) will give you your altitude much more accurately. And a couple of quid's worth of two-way spirit level from any shed-dragger's shop will do you the levelling.

[ghost123uk]

I have a 2 axis spirit level app on my Android phone that works well.

[CovKid]

I have all these things on my smartphone too but wanted something I don't need to plug in and will also house my USB sockets. Seemed to work great today. Very happy with it.

Its the same with speedo apps. Once you've verified it against your analogue one, you don't need to look again.

As an aside (and it annoys everyone but no one mentions it) is when you get home with say a quarter of a tank and then set off the next day, it takes an age to get a reading and is highly dependent on level ground. Its hard to know whether you're on the level with road camber all over the place . At least this way I can know what the fuel gauge says is more or less true. It works very well.

Altimeter probably academic.