Added a coolant and oil temp. gauge

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on June 22, 2009 at 3:57pm

i prefer a scan gauge 2, it gives coolant temp, air intake temp, engine load, timing advance, fuel rate GPH, fuel consumption MPG and a dozen other things, it can display 4 at once, also is a trip computer that gives data for current trip, day, previous day and tank data. and it costs $160, wires directly into the OBD2 port under the dash. and it uses standard CAT 5 computer data cables if you want a custom install.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Smyth on June 22, 2009 at 5:19pm

Thanks for the info. mbe,
As with fine wine, women, and cold beer, guys have different likes and dislikes when it comes to customizing their vehilces.
Chris

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Permalink Reply by FIATman on June 22, 2009 at 6:45pm

I too have been looking for extra gauges. In my research I found a solution similar to installing the scan gauge. Auto meter makes a system called Nexus OBD II which looks like an easier and solution to extra instrumentation. I for one don't want to squint at a Scan Gage at 70 MPH. The Smart dash display is bad in that aspect as well. Yeah, yeah I probably need my bifocals adjusted, but..... Check'em out here http://www.autometer.com/ Check out the Ecometer. It must be new Looks cool, and readable too.

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Permalink Reply by FIATman on June 23, 2009 at 8:00pm

I need to update this entry. The Nexus system DOES NOT use the OBD port. It uses new sensors you install, wired through an interface box that controls the cosmetics of the displays. The Ecometer mentioned DOES use the OBD port to display MPG, etc. It is plug and play. I clarified all this with the help of a guy at Auto-Meter.

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Permalink Reply by Seumas Warren on July 17, 2009 at 11:41am

I bought and installed an Ecometer on my smart. It works good, but you do have to "tune" it so to speak as it comes set by default to 100% efficiency and will not give you the correct mpg unless you change this to something lower. I first set it to 90% but after 200 miles and a fill up, a little math, it was still reporting my miles per gallon higher than what I was actually getting. I have now set it for 85% efficiency and it seems to be pretty close. I have a 300 mile drive to do this weekend so we'll see how accurate that setting is. I bought it because it was cheap and available, but in hindsight, I think i should of waited and bought a Scanguage II. When I get my Scanguage II I'll sell my ecometer lol

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Permalink Reply by FIATman on July 17, 2009 at 3:22pm

Thanks for the update. I was never able to get mine due to procrastination. Sorry to hear that it must be "calibrated". It makes sense I guess. I am wondering if you have to go through the same routine with the scangauge or does it "teach itself". Since I figure my mileage with a pencil and calculator anyway, maybe all I need is the old reliable vacuum gauge I have used in the past. It is only a little less than the ecometer.

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Permalink Reply by FIATman on July 17, 2009 at 3:55pm

I dug into the scangauge a bit more. It too has to be calibrated. This site http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23228 has some info. I belong to it for my Prius. As I said above I think a relative indicator of fuel efficiency is all I want, so I'm saving my money and going with the vacuum gauge. Even on our Prius the MPG indicated on it's factory readout doesn't match the calculated MPG.

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Permalink Reply by VS 1 day ago

Wow Chris! Didn't know my old post inspired you to install some gauges as well. lol!

I am quite a gauge freak as well. One of these days I should send you a picture of what my race car interior looks like. I got so tired of having to mount multiple gauges, I built my own touch-screen display and as of now, I can monitor 48 sensors (including a heart-rate sensor), datalog them and replay the trendlines whenever needed.

In any case, sounds like you're a great project going on there. One question though, do you retrofit an aftermarket TPMS display or you found a way to read actual readings from the factory sensors? What's the sampling rate like?

Also if you're still looking for a quality toggle, check out Carlingtech.com. Consider the Contura V and IV series as well.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Smyth 1 day ago

Hi VS,

Actually, I gave some thought to going digital as you've done - but I like the "retro" look of analog gauges so I decided to stick with them (except for the TPMS). According to the Schrader representative I contacted, their retro-fit TPMS display is designed to work with a particular sensor made exclusively for the kit. I'm waiting on a reply from my dealer about the ability of the Smart Car to "learn" this sensor. I don't think it should be a problem, but you never know.
I don't know the sampling rate for the Retro-fit sensor/display. My guess is that it would be the same as the OEM TPMS on the Smart Car, since the sensors on the Smart Car and the Retrofit kit are both made by Schrader.
I'm having the gauge package designed, fabricated and installed by a customizing shop here in Cincinnati called Concours Specialties. We're still in the process of selecting gauges and finalizing the lay-out of the panel. Instead of an on/off toggle switch we'll be wiring the panel into one of the spare ignition-switched fuse holders in the fuse block. When the installation is done, I'll post some pics.

Chris

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