voltmeter needed in dash - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

83-240D · #1 12-11-2005, 08:12 PM

what are you doiing, if anything, for a vm? is there an mb guage cluster that has one like the clock/tach combo? is there only fugly aftermarket ricer guages?

boneheaddoctor · #2 12-11-2005, 08:27 PM

there are guages that are not ricer style that look good.

RAYMOND485 · #3 12-11-2005, 10:12 PM

1984 300d Turbo

Use The Plug At The Ash Tray 12 Volts + Get One At Autozone
His Indicator Dig Read Out

boneheaddoctor · #4 12-11-2005, 10:14 PM

I have a photo of mine up here but can't find the link right now to post it....will do so tomorrow.

MarkM · #5 12-12-2005, 12:28 AM

I found a real nice volt meter from one of the marine stores (Bliss Marine? West Marine?) which is lit with a small bulb....black trim, black face, real nice looking. I mounted it onto a piece of zebrano wood shaped to fit into the ash tray space. On either side of the volt meter, I installed 12 volt cigarette lighter type outlets with plastic caps (also at the marine store). I wired the light to the wire that goes to the shift light. This setup works real nice...its a nice location if you don't smoke. I bought a small piece of zebrano wood from Rockler Hardware for a few bucks.

Check out the marine stores....I go there all the time for various nice things for the car.....3M Marine grade caulkings, diesel fuel treatment stuff, electrical things, stainless steel hardware, etc....

Mark

83-240D · #6 12-12-2005, 06:12 AM

thanks mark, that sounds nice.

bhd i remember you posting a pic. look forward to seeing it again.

boneheaddoctor · #7 12-12-2005, 07:57 AM

OK..here is the link..........I wanted to get VDO guages but at the time I did this they had been bought serveral months earlier adn supply all but dried up so settled for these Autometer guages that were a fairly close match.

sorry for the quality of the photos.......my old Kodak DC200 has a habit of making things look far worse than they are in the photo than they are in real life. And this wood has been since replaced.

JamesDean · #8 12-12-2005, 09:28 AM

i want to do this to my SD one day but I use the ashtray as a change tray...its quite full....hmmm...maybe i could part with it one day....get a vm...cigarette lighter thing and one other gauge dont know what...any suggesstions? i wont have a use for a pyrometer....

kris

ImBroke · #9 12-12-2005, 12:27 PM

with Autometer gauges, I have them in the race car. But, I have to agree, the Benz is getting VDO.

barry123400 · #10 12-12-2005, 01:11 PM

All I know is once you have a voltmeter installed in an older car you will never be comforatable long term without one. I find they indicate all kinds of things that an idiot light cannot possibly do. Early in the new year will be installing low oil pressure buzzers in any old mercedes diesel I own as well. Just too potentially dangerous without them in my opinion. Just suprises me that an aftermarket version never was released that I am aware of. The primary reason of course is on this particular series loss of oil can be massive, quick and deadly for the engine. You might even go from full of oil to pretty well totally empty for practical purposes in about a minute or so. How do you expect to catch that? Nice thing about the buzzer is that it is under the dash and does not become a problem to make it look like it belongs. Of course this installation may reduce the rehashing of memories over the years of how nice that engine ran prior to the hose failure.

83-240D · #11 12-12-2005, 02:53 PM

what else is in there? vaccuum i think i remember and what else?

for change i use a small plastic cup with a lid i got at the mex place that usually has peppers in it. it sits in the console. lid fits quite tightly.

boneheaddoctor · #12 12-12-2005, 02:56 PM

I run Boost, Exhaust Pyrometer and voltmeter...but the first two are not useful to anyone without a turbo.