Digital Boost Gauge - Wiring Gurus, where to wire up to?

M3to335 · 08-14-2007, 04:18 PM

Im really hoping this week. Its just a matter of finding free time to get on the CAD scope.

steve_setzer · 08-14-2007, 04:21 PM

A DIY guide with parts would be great for this...

jonm42 · 08-14-2007, 05:57 PM

Consider making these for other people plus a DIY?

08-14-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

what happens when you push the red button?

the NAWZZ kicks in

Dinan335i · 08-14-2007, 07:18 PM

That looks great. Can't tell from the pic...do you have some type of black cover over the lighter bay? In the second pic it looks like it...looks really clean.

Count me in should you decide to make extras to sell on the board!

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3to335

This is a temporary fix location (as mentioned in another post).

I am making a nice ashty replacment piece that will allow the rotating lid to remain. Its going to be ABS and molded to fit the hole. Plus the gauge will tilt toward the driver.

Im just having difficulty finding "Free Time" to work on the 3d model so I can shoot out a part.

jonm42 · 08-14-2007, 07:34 PM

Who makes the gauge? Looks nice!

M3to335 · 08-14-2007, 07:37 PM

Sure, I can make them if you'd like. Its easy for me to put whatever you'd want in it.

Ex. 1 2 or 3 gauges, 52mm or 60mm. Switches, LCD display holes, lighter hole, button holes etc etc.

A "quick" how-to without pics is as follows. Maybe I can get pictures of these steps after I change to the ashtry insert under the lid

Materials/Tools

Option 1)Black ABS (textured) if you want to have a matte finish similar to the rest of the interior.

Option 2a) Lexan (relatively thin sheet.... maybe 3 mm or so)

Optoin 2b) Leather or Vinyl to wrap the Lexan if you want to match the dash.

* Matte Black Spray Paint (if option 2a)
* Spray Adhesive (if option 2b)
* Small Flat Screw Driver
* Small Torx Drive
* Dremmel with small sanding bit
* Masking tape
* Patience!

Dissasembly

1) Pull up the rear of center console piece (up by the front of the arm rest). Its easy to get your hands into the black try area and lift with your finger tips.
2) Throw the car in 6th (if a stick) and tilt the plasitc piece out of your way to the right.
3) Unscrew the ashtry from underneath with a small torx drive (4 screws).
4) Unplug the wires running to the ashtry light
5) Pull the assembly out and seperate the two pieces from each other. There is an upper pieces (with the lid and trim attached) and the lower piece that creates the cavity for your ashtry. **this is a PAIN to get out since you have to pry with tiny screw drivers (as I recall).

Part Creation
**If your doing it from scratch, this is the critical part and easy to get a bad fit, scratch/crack in the process, or mess up a hole**

1) Take a piece of carboard and cut it slightly larger then the hole now in the center console (where the ashtry mech. was).
2) Try to cut away the cardboard until a slightly overlapping fit is created on the underside of the hole. When it fits well, the cardboard will sit flush with the underside of the center console hole.
3) After thats perfected, lay it ontop of a piece of lexan (or abs) and draw out your shape.
4) Hopefully your material is covered in plastic for protection. Cut the material with a jig saw. Cut slowly, and make sure its supported as close to the cut as possible. **THIS IS WHERE A WATERJET COMES IN HANDY!

5) Mark out a hole for your gauges or whatever you want to cut.
6) Cut the larger holes with the jig saw, smaller holes with a drill bit.
7) Use the dremmel to clean up the holes. (then dry fit the parts).
8) This part is my personal touch- Use a bench grinder to smooth the edges of the plastic out until the shape is a perfect fit and clean looking.
9) Peel off the plastic covering
10a) If doing lexan, mask off the "show side" and then paint, in light coats, the underside. Let it dry.
10b) If your doing leather or vinyl, just spray adheisve the vinyl to the show side. Cut out your holes *holes must be oversized to tuck in the vinyl*.
10c) If black ABS your done with this.

Assembly

1) Install the parts into the plastic.
2) Hold the plastic up against the underside of the console hole.
3) Put the lower tray piece, which you removed in step 5's dissasembly, against the back of the plastic.
4) Feed in the screws and tighten untill its sandwiched tight.
5) Hook up your wires (its easy to tap off the cig lighter wires)
6) Push the center console cover piece back down into place

DONE!

M3to335 · 08-14-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that guy nico

the NAWZZ kicks in

Its peak recall

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dinan335i

That looks great. Can't tell from the pic...do you have some type of black cover over the lighter bay? In the second pic it looks like it...looks really clean.

Count me in should you decide to make extras to sell on the board!

Yup thats the lexan with the underside painted. It wont chip (EVER) since its under the plastic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonm42

Who makes the gauge? Looks nice!

STRI

jam0321 · 08-14-2007, 08:09 PM

extremely informative...most people would sit on this info

share and share alike...the point of internet forums

jonm42 · 08-14-2007, 11:53 PM

For those that are interested: 3 bar boost gauge

HyperM3 · 08-15-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonm42

For those that are interested: 3 bar boost gauge

Can someone explain to my why you would want a bar gauge over a lbs gauge? Seems rediculously unreadable.

M3to335 · 08-15-2007, 10:34 AM

Yeah, dont go down that route. It may be easier to find people who carry the 3bar, but the 30psi is much more useable.

08-14-2007, 04:18 PM	#23
M3to335 Whats that smell? 148 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: Bimmers, duh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NC iTrader: (6)	Im really hoping this week. Its just a matter of finding free time to get on the CAD scope.
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08-14-2007, 04:21 PM	#24
steve_setzer Private 14 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	A DIY guide with parts would be great for this...
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08-14-2007, 05:57 PM	#25
jonm42 Captain 23 Rep 617 Posts Drives: too fast for conditions. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (2)	Consider making these for other people plus a DIY?
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08-14-2007, 07:34 PM	#28
jonm42 Captain 23 Rep 617 Posts Drives: too fast for conditions. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (2)	Who makes the gauge? Looks nice!
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08-14-2007, 07:37 PM	#29
M3to335 Whats that smell? 148 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: Bimmers, duh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NC iTrader: (6)	Sure, I can make them if you'd like. Its easy for me to put whatever you'd want in it. Ex. 1 2 or 3 gauges, 52mm or 60mm. Switches, LCD display holes, lighter hole, button holes etc etc. A "quick" how-to without pics is as follows. Maybe I can get pictures of these steps after I change to the ashtry insert under the lid Materials/Tools Option 1)Black ABS (textured) if you want to have a matte finish similar to the rest of the interior. Option 2a) Lexan (relatively thin sheet.... maybe 3 mm or so) Optoin 2b) Leather or Vinyl to wrap the Lexan if you want to match the dash. * Matte Black Spray Paint (if option 2a) * Spray Adhesive (if option 2b) * Small Flat Screw Driver * Small Torx Drive * Dremmel with small sanding bit * Masking tape * Patience! Dissasembly 1) Pull up the rear of center console piece (up by the front of the arm rest). Its easy to get your hands into the black try area and lift with your finger tips. 2) Throw the car in 6th (if a stick) and tilt the plasitc piece out of your way to the right. 3) Unscrew the ashtry from underneath with a small torx drive (4 screws). 4) Unplug the wires running to the ashtry light 5) Pull the assembly out and seperate the two pieces from each other. There is an upper pieces (with the lid and trim attached) and the lower piece that creates the cavity for your ashtry. this is a PAIN to get out since you have to pry with tiny screw drivers (as I recall). Part Creation If your doing it from scratch, this is the critical part and easy to get a bad fit, scratch/crack in the process, or mess up a hole 1) Take a piece of carboard and cut it slightly larger then the hole now in the center console (where the ashtry mech. was). 2) Try to cut away the cardboard until a slightly overlapping fit is created on the underside of the hole. When it fits well, the cardboard will sit flush with the underside of the center console hole. 3) After thats perfected, lay it ontop of a piece of lexan (or abs) and draw out your shape. 4) Hopefully your material is covered in plastic for protection. Cut the material with a jig saw. Cut slowly, and make sure its supported as close to the cut as possible. THIS IS WHERE A WATERJET COMES IN HANDY! 5) Mark out a hole for your gauges or whatever you want to cut. 6) Cut the larger holes with the jig saw, smaller holes with a drill bit. 7) Use the dremmel to clean up the holes. (then dry fit the parts). 8) This part is my personal touch- Use a bench grinder to smooth the edges of the plastic out until the shape is a perfect fit and clean looking. 9) Peel off the plastic covering 10a) If doing lexan, mask off the "show side" and then paint, in light coats, the underside. Let it dry. 10b) If your doing leather or vinyl, just spray adheisve the vinyl to the show side. Cut out your holes holes must be oversized to tuck in the vinyl. 10c) If black ABS your done with this. Assembly 1) Install the parts into the plastic. 2) Hold the plastic up against the underside of the console hole. 3) Put the lower tray piece, which you removed in step 5's dissasembly, against the back of the plastic. 4) Feed in the screws and tighten untill its sandwiched tight. 5) Hook up your wires (its easy to tap off the cig lighter wires) 6) Push the center console cover piece back down into place DONE!
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08-14-2007, 08:09 PM	#31
jam0321 I do screenprinting and embroiderry 11 Rep 277 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	extremely informative...most people would sit on this info share and share alike...the point of internet forums __________________ Go Big or Go Home!!! www.specopsoutfitters.com
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08-14-2007, 11:53 PM	#32
jonm42 Captain 23 Rep 617 Posts Drives: too fast for conditions. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (2)	For those that are interested: 3 bar boost gauge
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08-15-2007, 10:34 AM	#34
M3to335 Whats that smell? 148 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: Bimmers, duh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NC iTrader: (6)	Yeah, dont go down that route. It may be easier to find people who carry the 3bar, but the 30psi is much more useable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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