Launching new instrument package-looking for input

[70rs]

I like the direction you are going with these Mark. In regards to the set shown at the top of the thread, maybe a higher number on the speedo (160-180-200?) and turn indicator lamps, two warning lamps that can be used for the builders/owners discretion.

[BonzoHansen]

With the magic of MS Paint, this was a simple thought.

I'm personally good with simple colors, although little icons are fine. So a green light is as good as an arrow for turn signals. Each small gauge gets a red light, low gas and the others could be simple lights on senders. On the tach a yellow SES, blue light for high beams and red shift where the ODO is on the speedo is good enough for me. Is this doable? I have no idea, you're the electronics genius!

[marks914]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

With the magic of MS Paint, this was a simple thought.

I'm personally good with simple colors, although little icons are fine. So a green light is as good as an arrow for turn signals. Each small gauge gets a red light, low gas and the others could be simple lights on senders. On the tach a yellow SES, blue light for high beams and red shift where the ODO is on the speedo is good enough for me. Is this doable? I have no idea, you're the electronics genius!

I was thinking of just doing simple lights, but was feeling that was a bit unrefined. We can make the lamps any shape, icon, words, we might as well try ta take advantage of it.
Thanks
Mark

[Mkelcy]

An 8,000 rpm tach is plenty.

Can the smaller gauges be turned around so the markings are along the edge of the gauge? It seems you might be made to make them bigger that way. As for lights, I'd say turn signals, high beam, maybe parking brake warning, maybe shift light as an option.

While I like the "all in two" concept, I'm not a fan of either set of gauges - the first seem too retro, the second set just doesn't do it for me, though I can't say why.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by marks914

I was thinking of just doing simple lights, but was feeling that was a bit unrefined. We can make the lamps any shape, icon, words, we might as well try ta take advantage of it.
Thanks
Mark

Agreed, it would be very nice.

[asifnyc]

just wanted to echo some of the comments that resonated with me and throw in a couple of my own.

+1 for TACH with a small digital MPH. lots of motor cycles do this and I've always thought this was a good idea for custom car dashes. 1 big tach in the middle with speedo incorporated and then add whatever other gauges you need on either side. I'm sure you don't want to make that radical of a change for this project but something to think about.

- I agree you don't need a volt meter, just an idiot light. I get that it balances things out but maybe use the space for all the other suggestions that have come up.

- I also agree that 8k for the tach is plenty. I do not like the idea of buying a 10k tach when I know my car should never be above 6500 - 7000...

- I think the CEL (check engine light) is a great call for all the guys running LS engines

- I want a 160 MPH speedo! just because... I agree 200 is ridiculous (for almost everyone) but 160 feels just aspirational enough

-design wise I'm in the more modern camp

[ItDoRun]

I love the first set of gauges. I like the classic look, myself. My personal options would be the 140 mph speedometer, 8K tach, turn signals (arrows), high beam indicator, check engine, and low fuel. If you can capture those features in the first set of gauges you posted, you'll be receiving my credit card number when I get to the interior portion of my build. Great loking product!

[55Sedan]

I really like the classic style, too. I'm an old early mustang builder and the big round gauges look good. The one thing I have never liked about the gen1 Camaros is the gauges. These are GREAT!

Now that I own a '55 Chevy I have been trying to figure out what to do about the instruments. I just do NOT like the Autometer 5-gauge cluster some people are using. The Classic Instrument cluster is one of my preferred choices, but I have really given a lot of thought to trying to set up a series of gauges that would look good.

Looking forward to see what else you come up with.

[marks914]

Thanks again everyone, we now have a few things to consider in this stage of development.
From what I can tell, we need to have at least 2 styles, retro and modern, plus we can always do a custom set for a customer.
I am going to see if we can get 4 warning lamps per gauge, then there is plenty of flexibility in what needs to be monitored.
I will work on some layouts for the components and get it over to the engineers tomorrow.
The think I like best about this set is the balanced look, the competition to this package looks really heavy and hard to read on the speedo/tach and the quad gauge looks lost, visually I think the 3-1s will be easier to read .
Anything else, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks again, this really helps
Mark

[68400BIRD]

Are the lights going to be LED's?? Will you be able to change the color of the lights? I wouldn't mind the green colored lights for a retro look but would also be fine with some bright LED's. Keep the updates coming. I'm looking forward to something that will go in the stock position and is friendly on the wallet.