Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:23:57 -0600
Reply-To: OK David <okdavid55@ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: OK David <okdavid55@ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: Outside Temperature
In-Reply-To: <CACK29ck7y1fCVjW=D1FGQtqSX2h2k29NwiHjvHSJHEUNKjdoeA@mail.gmail.com>
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I also like to be aware of the outside temp when I'm driving my Vanagon.
Several years ago, I installed an LED thermometer in my '91 Carat similar to
this one:
http://www.digital-auto-gauges.com/products/Auto-Thermometer-Gauge-for-Truck
s-and-Cars.html In doing a quick Internet search, this is the only one I
could find that looks similar to mine.
Mine has red digits, a black bezel and the lens is smoke-colored with no
printing on it, so when the thermometer is not displaying the temp (I have
it wired into the ignition circuit so it only displays when the ignition is
on), it's all black and blends in with the black dashboard and dash panel.
I installed it immediately to the right of the cigarette lighter (just above
the glovebox). This location makes it easy to access the back for
installation and wiring purposes. All it took was a 2-1/16" holesaw to
quickly make the opening. I placed the wiring to the temp probe behind the
carpet on the passenger side. I drilled a small hole under the carpet
through the passenger side front wheel opening, where the probe and its
wiring pass through. I don't remember exactly, but as I recall, I let the
probe itself hang about an inch or so into the wheel opening. Of course, I
sealed the small drill hole to both hold the wire in place and keep the
outside air outside.
The digits are large enough to be easy-to-read at a glance, under any
lighting conditions, and has performed very well over the years. I like to
check it against the roadside sign temp displays you see here and there, and
it either agrees with or is always within a degree or two of most of them
(not that they are perfectly accurate -- and at least one of those roadside
temp signs in my area (on I-235) always seems quite inaccurate!).
The temp gauge I have flashes the word "ICE" for about 15 seconds when the
outside air drops to 37 degrees, or if it is below 37 when I turn on the
ignition to start and run the van's engine. This flashing gets your
attention, even though the gauge is not directly in the driver's line of
sight.
The gauge I included the link for above seems kinda pricey -- IIRC, I paid
about $45 for the one I have. There are a number of 12 volt LED
thermometers currently on eBay for less than $50, but they seem to all have
rectangular housings. But if you're handy, you can probably make a
rectangular hole to fit one of those.
Finally, if you decide to wire your thermometer to the ignition, but you
also want to be able to check the temp when the ignition is off, you could
always additionally wire in a momentary-contact button or switch to power it
up on demand as well.
BTW, this same source also sells an outside/inside temp combo gauge, too:
http://www.digital-auto-gauges.com/products/Inside-Outside-Auto-Thermometer-
Gauge-for-Trucks-and-Cars-dual-display.html
Hope this helps. Good luck!
David S. in OKC, OK
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Steven Shelton
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 11:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Outside Temperature
When we're camping I'm always curious about the outside temperature. Has
anyone installed an outside/inside temperature gauge that they're happy
with? Please share what brand you used and how you installed it.