I'd like to add a tach and a transmission temp gauge need input

[RickB]

Hey All,

I'm gonna add a tach and a temp gauge and I don't have the foggiest where to find a kit with a tach generator, has to be 24 volt., same goes for the transmission temp sending unit and gauge. Also when doing this, are there a couple spare spots in our junction boxes to get it up front? I'd like to do a backup camera too but running that wire seems like a big pain.

We are officially moving away from the teal and mauve interior having my brother in law reupholster our flexsteel pilot and copilot chairs in cream and I'm gonna redo the dash and door/entry way in the same. We're also doing the dinette cushions as well

Hoping to copy Dave Benck and use stick down linoleum squares (they really look like ceramic tile) I would do tile but we have little kids and I don't want them doing a header on tile.

Pick your brains I know someone out there has some solid answers to all of these questions.

Thanks in a advance,

Rick

Haven't thought much about the 8V92 I'm still looking for a reasonable out of chassis dyno.

[Chopper Scott]

I used the sticky fake tiles in my trailer. I wouldn't advise using them. They tend to not stick as well as you would expect and edges turn up, gaps get bigger and such. I was disappointed anyways.

[TomC]

What I did was to buy five different colored 50ft 3 wire extension cords and ran them from the rear engine compartment up to the front driver's compartment.  Instant 15 wires to use.  Have used some for my cruise control, adding tachometer that runs off a small synchronous generator off the back of the blower (it had the tach drive already there).  I still have wires left for more gauges if I want.  Good Luck, TomC

[zubzub]

big difference between sticky tiles and lino.  If the subfloor is sound, quality lino tiles will last. By Lino I mean the ones that use a special glue, which you apply to the subfloor and then set tiles on.  YOu need to reinforce the edge at the stair.

[luvrbus]

Rick, can't help with tiles but for the tach and gauge www.precisionspeed.com in Phoenix has everything you need.

good luck

[belfert]

Rick, you might check with D&D Instruments in Minneapolis for the gauges.  They do a lot of car and pickup dash cluster repair, but they also sell regular gauges.  I am taking my bus dash over there later in the week to have them give me some suggestions on new gauges.  (My gauges are not well sealed and full of dust.  There are sealed gauges out there.)

[JackConrad]

Rick,
    We got our Tach, as well as all our other gauges, from Precision Speedometer. The tach gets it signal from the R terminal on the alternator, so no tach generator was required.  Have you thought about using sheet vinyl flooring? Not quite as easy to install, but no seams to lift. You can make a pattern using kraft paper or 15# felt paper and tape.  Jack

[bottomacher]

Jack, was therre a wire in the front panel (under the window) for the alternator feed to the tach? I could swear I saw one on my MC9, but I can't find it now. Thanks

[RickB]

Thanks guys,

Dave only had one tile that had lifted but maybe I'll take a step back and give it some thought.

Jack or Clifford,
I'm sure I could call them for the info but do either of you know the model # tach and oil temp gauge I should be looking at on their site?

Jack the idea of not having to make a signal generator just made my day. Hook up the r terminal and a ground and away we go! woo hooo. I saw a couple gauges at the site that didn't look like they came with a housing I would need a housing for the tach. Did yours come with a housing Jack? The tranny temp gauge I could mount in a single gauge mount on the dash. With us climbing the mountains this summer I'm fairly sure that the new cooling system is more than adequate but I would like to see who's heating who (is the engine heating up on it's own or is it getting some help through the oil cooler?) if there is a problem. We went through the black hills middle of last summer and she didn't even break a sweat so I'm just being careful.

Brian I'll look into the local guys as well, love the idea of having customer service close by. How's that Dina coming along?

Thanks Rick

[RickB]

Bottomacher,

I think I saw one as well on the schematic but since mine didn't come with a tach I may have to run a wire to it from the alternator.

Rick

[JackConrad]

    I don't remember the model numbers, but the tach is a 0-30 (RPM X 100) and oil pressure is 0-80. Both are Datcon brand.  For "spare" wires, look at the wiring schematics. If you eliminated the OEM AC, there will be several wires available. If you look at the gauges schematic, you might find a tach wire.  We replaced all the original wiring (the old cloth insulated) on our coach and made our own schematics, so my terminal numbers will not be the same as yours.  Jack

[luvrbus]

Rick, give them a call it is family owned and they will walk you through the buying, install or any problems they love bus people.  



good luck

[Dreamscape]

Rick, We used this stuff, it's a free floating tile that has sticky on the top and bottom edge. We layed down some 15# felt then started cutting and fitting. No edges have putlled up. We got it at Home Depot. We like the look and easy to keep clean.

Paul

[RickB]

Paul, That looks great. it may be the same stuff that Dave benck used.

Clifford I'll give them a call. Why do i get this feeling I'm gonna be pulling a bunch of wires through the tunnel like Tom C?

We can hope not right?

rick

[gumpy]

Bottomacher,

I think I saw one as well on the schematic but since mine didn't come with a tach I may have to run a wire to it from the alternator.

Rick

The manual shows a schematic for a "Sigmanetics" tach. It's connected to stud 33 in the rear j box, and shows a wire running to stud C in the front J box. This should be the R1 signal off the alternator.  It's powered from stud 26, front j box and has illumination coming from the dash rheostat.

Now, this was an option, so it's anybody's guess if all the connections are in your bus, but it might be standard in the wiring harness.