2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Gauges & night illumination

[wtrenholm]

A company called Dakota Digital had 7 segment numerical display that you could mount in a custom panel and seemed like it would match the radio and overhead console displays. I didn't research it a whole lot though.



I went with SPA boost/egt on the steering column, you have to watch the mounting angle for good LCD to be dark. I like the programmable built in LED warning lights for each guage (handy for egt), record feature and backlit display. But that's me.



Wayne

 

[BigMo]

I e-mailed VDO, the company, today. I told them their gauges look just like our dodge OEM, but they don't have enough range in their Boost gauge and they don't have a fuel pressure gauge.



I told them they had an audience of 13,000 prospective purchasers if they could modify their current offerings and give us a package of gauges that would meet our needs, i. e. , current pyro to 1650, current trans temp to 450, boost modified to either 50 or 60 lbs, and a fuel gauge that would go to 30 lbs.



I wonder if they'll respond? I sent it to their commercial division . . . I did the same thing about a year ago, but sent it to their automotive division . . . they weren't interested!



It's really too bad that VDO doesn't see this as a niche market. They make good instruments, by all accounts. They have competitive prices. They have good looking gauges. They just need to expand their offerings a little.

 

[Murietaman]

bright guages

I have three Cyberdyne Red LED guages. Two on the pillar and three attached to the plastic on the hump. The two on the pillar were to bright. Went to a local window tint store and was given a piece of limo tint (darkest). I cut circles the size of the glass lens and applied it. Works great. .....

 

[Dave Fleming]

I have DiPricol EGT and transmission Temp on a 2 pillar mount and find that they are fine at night. Hooked up with dash guages so they dim with them and I'm happy just want more for a 3 dash mounting.

DiPricol sent me the catalog rather info sheets and price lists but no place to buy them. Waiting till after Christmas and will see if they will deal direct.



PS: Guages on pillar were from Gino's.

 

[BigMo]

Follow up to my earlier reply

I've been corresponding with Dave from Diesel Power Products. He tells me that they now have specially ordered Di Pricol gauges that match our OEM look. They have black faces, red LIGHTED needles, and backlit numbers and hashmarks !



They have boost to 35 PSI in black ( 60 in white). They currently have a FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE, ELECTRIC (yes!!) in black in 50 PSI; they have a 30 PSI on back-order from the manufacturer.



This FINALLY sounds like THE DEAL.



http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/gauges Diesel Power Products

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by Blakers

My Isspro boost gauge is fine. But the pyro gauge is brand "HI" - whatever that is? - is too dark to see at night. A very poor design, it seems the hand on the bulb is behind the part with the hand and does not even illuminate it. I'll try a stronger bulb, but that may not even help.



Blake

Well to update you all on my gauges... I found out the bulb socket had fallen out the back of my HI pyro gauge. It was providing a little light, but hardly enough. Works fine now.



But now my Isspro boost gauge is not returning to the resting peg when I know the boost is zero - engine off or going downhill. It sits at about 4 or 5 psi. Any suggestions?



Will Isspro warrant them?



Thanks,



Blake

 

[C Schomer]

I just put in a new EV 40lb man press gauge. The red needle matches the OEMs perfectly. The backlit numbers and letters are off white - Ill try a green bulb or condom, but not a biggie to me. I'm tickled to finally have a boost gauge I can read at night. When I turn the dimmer down to where I like the OEM gauges, the halo around the EV goes away. I like it very much, I'll get the pyro now! According to Isspro, the EV pyro uses a transducer and can use any mfgr K TC. The two conductor from the TC to the transducer doesn't require TC wire, just copper is fine. I'll get the Isspro TC anyway so I can keep my old pyro/lead/TC a matched set for something else - like the 2K CTD my F-I-L just bought. Craig

 

[damon]

Dipricol guages

BigMo -



I have the 3 Dipricol guages that you are speaking of and purchased them from Dave at Diesel Power Products. First off, working with Dave was a pleasure. He was very helpful from pre-sale through the installation. The black Dipricol guages that are shown in the URL you posted are the same as Western Diesel black face guages, and they match the OEM look of the trucks guages very well. The lighting is very easy to read at night, but the illuminated green on the Dipricols does not match the trucks illumination which is more blue than green when you compare the two. Not much to complain about, but I wanted to let you all know. I am definitely happy with my purchase and would buy from Dave again for sure !

 

[BigMo]

Re: Dipricol guages

Originally posted by damon

BigMo -



I have the 3 Dipricol guages that you are speaking of and purchased them from Dave at Diesel Power Products. . . . . . I am definitely happy with my purchase and would buy from Dave again for sure !

Thanks much damon. This "gauge" decision has given me fits; I'm just particular about some things and I want my gauges to look like OEM, if possible.



BY THE WAY, are your gauges lit "through the dial" OR are they lit from the side?



Thanks to you and the other members, I'll be making the most informed decision possible. TDR membership has to be one of my best investments!

 

[damon]

the Dipricol guages (at least the black ones) have lighting from the back, not the sides. The illumination is very uniform and consistent, not much in the way of bright and dark spots, and like I said they are very easy to see at night. People riding in my truck always complement the guages, and I've even had other truck owners roll down the windows at stop lights to comment. They look really cool, and I've even heard that the little numbers on the faces actually mean something

 

[damon]

picture of Dipricol at night

here's a (not so good) picture of the black face Dipricol guages lit at night on the pillar. You can see the difference between the blue on the dash and green on the guages, but you may have to drink a couple beers and squint your eyes to get this into focus.....

 

[BigMo]

Nyquil helps me focus ...

Nothing like a little Nyquil to help you see clearly .



That's a really good picture; it shows the contrast between the OEM and Aftermarket gauges perfectly.



Tell me though, how do you like being limited to 30 lbs of boost reading on your turbo gauge?



Good Job on that pic, damon!

 

[damon]

With my truck and it's mild mods I don't find it a problem to be limited to 30lbs on the boost guage as it only makes it up to 30 very rarely. Of course I have not towed with the truck since I got the guages, but when I floor it empty on the street the boost will usually spike up near 30 then taper down and stay around 26. I think that I read here that the HY turbo will not make much more than 30 regardless of mods..... could be wrong though.