Date:         Wed, 3 Nov 1999 21:44:41 EST
Reply-To:     KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Subject:      Computerized Gauge Setup
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Here is my latest brainstorm on my quest for the ultimate Gauge cluster that
doesn't take up alot of space and require cutting or drilling:

I was thinking, why not just get one of those small note pad computers with a
back lit screen (like palm pilot or whatever).  Then mount it's docking bay
on my dash next to the instrument cluster and secure it with a velcro strap.
Now all I have to do is setup all my senders and then wire then into some
type of plug that will plug into the computer (I have no idea what this
entails).  Then all I have to find is a program that would take the sender
readings and display them in either a number readout or some type of bar
graph, etc.  You could have several "layers" of gauges that you could scroll
through by pushing a button, basically telling you everything that is going
on back there (thinking of installing a camera in the engine compartment to
actually watch the motor itself but I wonder if this is overkill/could be a
distraction while driving? :)

So what do you think?  Am I dreaming?  Could this be done without spending a
million dollars?  I mean you could use the small computer for other things
too and just plug it into the van when you were taking trips and wanted to
keep an eye on things.  If I bought 6 gauges and some instrument pods I would
be out around $200 so buying a small computer would not really be that much
more money.
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16
Office (856)-765-1583
Shop (856)-327-0027
Fax   (856)-327-2242