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Programmable speedometers [message #272903] Mon, 02 March 2015 21:22 Go to previous message
cbryan   United States
Messages: 451
Registered: May 2012
Location: Ennis, Texas
Karma:
Senior Member
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Of discriminating taste -- Thought I would throw that in since we are so smart on the forum and wise, being reputedly all over 50. Do many of you run programmable electronic speedometers? I saw one on Ken H's dash project.

They are almost as pricey as the original equipment speedometers. I have had some problems with my OEM speedometer, to wit:

When it was working without wobbling the needle, it was "optimistic" by about 15%, even with a high dollar speedometer reducer. (I run a Cinnabar 3.42 final drive ratio.) Those reducers are over $100 and somehow the PO miscalculated the ratio. (Needle wobble was due to an inoperable cruise control transducer.)

Benefits (apparent) of the electronic speedometer, you can program and reprogram the accuracy within a gnat's eyebrow, electronically. It then will display accurate data. It is durable enough to function a long time, no cable to lubricate. (Note with some sending units, you can retain the GM OEM cruise control. Just no cable back to the speedometer.) Odometer will be accurate, and can't be easily reset if at all, but the N.O. probably won't know that or care. There is a trip meter. LED backlight, a courtesy to the N.O. (Next owner). No need to lubricate the cables. You can use the time saved to lube the bogies an extra time or two.

Aggravations: May have to put a metal braided shield on the sense lead to prevent noise from the ignition causing inaccuracies. Will have to buy a sending unit. Or may spend about as much and get a GPS sending unit that does not depend on connection to the transmission at all. Have to be careful to route it away from exhaust. Dummies like me can miswire them, and cause a six month delay. Only six leads, and it can be done. And, they can be pricey. The odometer is LCD and may not be easy to read day and/or night, not uncommon with cars.

At present if one would want to search on that big auction site for a "New speedometer programmable", they would find one for $65, free shipping. No brand name mentioned. The sending units that go with it are reasonably priced. Your desire or need for a speedometer will vary. I bought a programmable VDO a year ago that they were closing out. It only goes to 85 mph, so will have avoid Bonneville. It also shows KPH on the inner face. I'm pleased with this solution. Truthful gauges are nice.

Carey

Carey from Ennis, Texas 78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.

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