Date:         Sat, 1 Nov 2003 15:41:12 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Center Console....Want One?
Comments: To: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
In-Reply-To:  <a06002005bbc92fb3d3f1@[218.101.117.123]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Andrew Grebneff wrote:
> Gauges are worse than useless anywhere out of the driver's
> line-of-sight; this includes the middle of the dashboard. You can DIE
> because you looked over there. Down is even worse.

I agree...if it's more than a foot or so below my normal line of sight
I'm not going to be able to look at it often enough to be useful.

I fiddled around for a while and decided the ideal location for gauges
on my Vanagon was on top of the instrument cluster cover.  I used a
multi-pin connector to hook up the gauges so I can still remove the
cover completely if I want to.  The Vanagon has a low enough dash that
the gauges don't block my view at all.

A center console might be an OK spot for gauges you don't have to look
at often, or only will be looking at while stopped.  In campers you
could put a voltmeter for your auxiliary battery there, for example.

--

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si