New custom boost gauge

[Doniol]

That looks awesome. If you are just getting a prototype done, I'd make one little revision. In the upper corners, I'd have them flip up with the same radius as they are now... That way it rounds the edges of the void left in the stock display. It's hard to explain, but think of it as having tiny horns.. lol At least that's how I had envisioned it.

I was actually thinking of doing that, but decided against it since it would look kinda funny if the gauge was mounted outside of the cluster (unless you're a serious batman fan).
I'll post some pictures once the bezel arrives and we'll see how it looks.

 

[keggo]

I was actually thinking of doing that, but decided against it since it would look kinda funny if the gauge was mounted outside of the cluster (unless you're a serious batman fan).
I'll post some pictures once the bezel arrives and we'll see how it looks.

I completely understand. I'm just really psyched about your initial mounting location... lol Batman is cool, right? Go Adam West!

 

[starrd]

starrd is going to do a custom mount so we'll see how his results go. Right now there are no plans to make a custom fit for other vehicles. Some others have asked for a pod mount, so I'll consider this if someone wants to collaberate with me.

Fianlly got mine mounted in a B4 ashtray

 

[keggo]

Fianlly got mine mounted in a B4 ashtray

That looks excellent! More pics please!

 

[starrd]

That looks excellent! More pics please!

Here is a pic of the backside:

I ground off the plastic at the 4 red circles to separate the front plate into 2 pieces. I then did a cut-out for the OLED, and had to relieve the back of the front plate for the OLED so the back plate would fit back on. The back plate needed a little surgery to remove the stuff for the smokes and a cut-out at the red rectangle for the ribbon cable (top cut-out is a screw-up by me). The rest of the ashtray (slider bit) will fit back on once it is clearanced for the circuit board. I think rev 2 would work even better as I had a hard time trying not to dammage the OLED ribbon cable. I had to have the unit on while I fastened the OLED so it was aligned correctly. I will finish re-attaching the rest of the ashtray today. When I am done, it'll slide in and out and the front will even tilt, just like original.

Logo on boot

Gauge operational

 

[keggo]

Very cool mounting idea!! Looks great!

 

[BrentB]

That looks pretty sweet, how is it in the sunlight?

 

[Doniol]

Nice work Starrd! I was wondering how you made out with your plans- thanks for posting.

That looks pretty sweet, how is it in the sunlight?

In the cluster I haven't had any problems. Maybe Starrd can chime in about his setup where the screen will get more direct sunlight.

The bezel arrived, and the fit is perfect . The only thing I'm not completely happy with is the face texture. This is the default material the CNC fab uses, but I'm going to see what other options they have. That said, I still think it looks pretty good. The bezel does not obscure any indicator lights (but its close).

 

[keggo]

Nice! Nothing a little sanding and some flat black paint wouldn't cure. Hell, I could just paint the whole gauge bezel with the same high temp flat black paint that I use literally for EVERYTHING... lol I love it! Can't wait to get mine!

 

[Beacher]

Wow - that looks amazing Don - truly awesome!

 

[DrFaustus]

That does look great!

 

[Slave2school]

So jsut a recap, (I think this is sweet by the way) how much for a "complete" kit? I'm thinking my father would like this.

 

[starrd]

That looks pretty sweet, how is it in the sunlight?

Sorry, I can't comment yet - have to rebuild my K14 turbo before I can get this car on the road. I have it in my 93 TD Passat, but the ashtray is the same in the 96 TDI Passat, which I also have. I test drove the car 2 weeks ago after a full rebuild, a performance injection pump (Giles) etc, but the CTN tranny doesn't allow the K24 turbo to spool soon enough, so I have to go smaller. Will answer the question once I have it back on the road.

 

[Beacher]

Doniol listed the costs earlier in the thread, but be aware that his most current list has only so many spots so at some point (if not already) they'll all become spoken for...

REv 2 Update:

The gauge cost with EGT will be $320, and $250 without EGT (plus shipping).

Dan

Edit: If you're on the list for a gauge and you also need an EGT probe, one can be bundled with the gauge for an extra $75. The probe is made by MYCRUISEAGENT. Note: This no-drill probe requires EGR valve removal.

If you want this probe included with your gauge, you need to let me know ASAP.

 

[Doniol]

http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=20316Slave2school,

The current list is full, but I'll put your name down in case someone else backs out.

 

[Gearhead51]

Ha ha. While you're putting names down, put mine down as well. I've been watching this thread for a while. Good work.

 

[Pat Dolan]

Don:

If your CNC milling guys have any other plastic material than the pebblie stuff, my vote for smoothe. I know you're not a democracy, but I think it would make a far nicer product.

Pat

 

[Doniol]

Don:

If your CNC milling guys have any other plastic material than the pebblie stuff, my vote for smoothe. I know you're not a democracy, but I think it would make a far nicer product.

Pat

I agree. I've already ordered another with the smooth face to see how it looks. The material is ABS, so the smooth face might also not look good if its too shiney, so I got some matte spray paint which should take care of it.

While I'm waiting for the next bezel to arrive, I've been doing some experimenting using a solder paste stencil and a hot plate to make the boards (Thanks to sparkfun.com for the tutorial). It's going to take some practice, but in the long run this will be quicker than soldering every single pin by hand with an iron like I was before.

 

[keggo]

for cheap soldering paste, you can get it at dealextreme.com. It takes a while to ship, but shipping is always free. Solder paste is great isn't it?

 

[-Espen-]

Espen & Logzy are added to the 'summer' list.
Just want to reiterate: The custom fit is for non-beetle A4 2002-2005 platforms only. A4 2000 - 2001 have been installed, but need extra trimming inside the cluster to make the PCB fit. Making a fit for other cars is possible, but a new endeavor.
The only extra option for the gauge is to include EGT. All other variants are pre-programmed and can be selected by the user via a DIP switch (2.5bar sensor /25psi scale or 3.0bar sensor / 30psi scale).
There has been some arm twisting for metric display, so I'll see if I can include this for the next batch.

You still have me on your list?
Is the width on rev2 wide enough to fill the space in the cluster?

 

[Pat Dolan]

I agree. I've already ordered another with the smooth face to see how it looks. The material is ABS, so the smooth face might also not look good if its too shiney, so I got some matte spray paint which should take care of it.

Great.

While I'm waiting for the next bezel to arrive, I've been doing some experimenting using a solder paste stencil and a hot plate to make the boards (Thanks to sparkfun.com for the tutorial). It's going to take some practice, but in the long run this will be quicker than soldering every single pin by hand with an iron like I was before.

Product/production improvements from the website. Dang, you mean there's a use for the internet other than porn? Who'd a thunk it?

 

[Doniol]

You still have me on your list?
Is the width on rev2 wide enough to fill the space in the cluster?

Yup, you're on the list. Those who were on the rev1 summer list were automatically migrated since I never made that rev1 batch in favour of working on rev2. All pictures on this thread before post #218 are either of rev1 or works-in-progress of rev2. Post #218 is the most current picture and the final product will look similar to this except for the refining of the bezel.

 

[irbk]

How about for us automatic folks? We still out of luck?

 

[AFED 555]

I'd like to put my name down on the list as well. In the mist of rebuilding the car and a boost/EGT gauge would go a long way understand how the car is performing.

 

[firsttimedeisel]

I may have overlooked it, but will this fit into an '05 jetta cluster?

 

[Doniol]

How about for us automatic folks? We still out of luck?

Rev2 is designed to fit in the cluster with autos too, but this hasn't been tested yet. The gear selector indicator will be covered though. But really, what more cool- having a boost gauge or knowing for certain at a glance that you're still in |D| since the last time you put it in gear?

I'd like to put my name down on the list as well. In the mist of rebuilding the car and a boost/EGT gauge would go a long way understand how the car is performing.

I'll put you down, but no guarantee you'll get one unless a few ahead of you cancels.

I may have overlooked it, but will this fit into an '05 jetta cluster?

This gauge fits all MKIV (except NB) in the cluster. It might fit MKV as well. Mounting against the front window of the cluster is also possible and doesn't require and special modifications.

 

[irbk]

knowing for certain at a glance that you're still in |D| since the last time you put it in gear

It's not so much |D| as it is what gear am I in when I'm bored and running on the triptronic rather then auto.

 

[Doniol]

It's not so much |D| as it is what gear am I in when I'm bored and running on the triptronic rather then auto.

Ah! I forgot about the tiptronic. But, at least now with Rev2 it's possible to install into a cluster with an auto, whereas Rev1 it wasn't. There's no way around the gear indicator getting covered up though.

 

[Doniol]

A quick update: I received the bezel with the smooth but glossy face. After applying some flat spray paint, the face now has an almost identical texture as the rest of the inner cluster. The final bezel design batch quantity has been ordered and I should receive them in about two weeks. I'll make every effort to get the gauges out to the pre-payers asap, probably mid-November.

 

[LoveMyVW]

Sweet deal... its going to be like an early x-mas