Gauge Pod(s)
10-25-2006, 05:45 PM
#203
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hotlanta
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by moRotorMotor
I believe derwankel said he was working with the company to get the guages to change colour from daytime to nightime driving automatically. It would be really neat if he has that solved. It would justify the price of those guages more.
I do know how these can be done, but it is not trivial and immediately voids the warranty on the gauges, so I will back away from that feature. While it would be "cool" ... it would also be cost prohibitive.
It involves acquiring 3 micro LEDs like the ones used in the OEM gauge pod, drilling holes in the AutoMeter housing (hence the voided warranty) and mounting the LEDs in each housing, then running wiring back to the circuit used in the main dash to illuminate them.
LOTS of work and non-trivial. I've provided what would need to be done ... anyone is free to do their own mod, but I won't pursue this as a viable offering... sorry.
Keep the feedback coming ... looks like 4-1 BOSE so far.
10-25-2006, 05:52 PM
#204
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hotlanta
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mikeschaefer
I have the bose center speaker 
I was going to ask this question on the darkside but it's out of commission at the moment. I realized the other day that the custom dash panels my car came with might get in the way of the pods. I'll attach a few pics so you can see. Do you think I'd be able to retain that top silver piece or should I just start with a new panel? Thanks!
I was going to ask this question on the darkside but it's out of commission at the moment. I realized the other day that the custom dash panels my car came with might get in the way of the pods. I'll attach a few pics so you can see. Do you think I'd be able to retain that top silver piece or should I just start with a new panel? Thanks!
Wow Mike ... I guess I had missed that mod of yours. Not bad.
Honestly, if you were looking for me to mod your dash panel I would resist ... for 2 reasons.
1. The risk of inadvertantly damaging your aluminum-look panel.
2. The template I use to cut the dash is made such that the radio display recess is used as a reference for positioning the template. It would not sit right on there and the cuts would be affected ... and so would the pod placement. No-can-do ... sorry.
Best to look to a new panel.
10-25-2006, 08:56 PM
#207
I wanna rock! Rock!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by derwankel
Wow Mike ... I guess I had missed that mod of yours. Not bad.
Honestly, if you were looking for me to mod your dash panel I would resist ... for 2 reasons.
1. The risk of inadvertantly damaging your aluminum-look panel.
2. The template I use to cut the dash is made such that the radio display recess is used as a reference for positioning the template. It would not sit right on there and the cuts would be affected ... and so would the pod placement. No-can-do ... sorry.
Best to look to a new panel.
Honestly, if you were looking for me to mod your dash panel I would resist ... for 2 reasons.
1. The risk of inadvertantly damaging your aluminum-look panel.
2. The template I use to cut the dash is made such that the radio display recess is used as a reference for positioning the template. It would not sit right on there and the cuts would be affected ... and so would the pod placement. No-can-do ... sorry.
Best to look to a new panel.
And that was my favorite part of the kit too. I don't know if you can tell but the panels on the radio are a bit crooked too!
10-31-2006, 11:31 AM
#216
I wanna rock! Rock!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Der, where's a good place to tap for power up there? I took out my dash piece and want to start wiring up the gauges so that when pod gets here I can just toss em in.
11-12-2006, 09:13 PM
#223
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hotlanta
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well guys ... we had a family discussion this weekend about my little hobby of making parts for the RX-8 and decided that it was not in our best interest to continue down this path. It has been growing at a rate that does not have any end in sight and I simply don't want to spend the next year+ of my free time making parts. I have several other higher priorities to consider and which require my attention.
Therefore, I am selling off my remaining inventory of parts (puddle lamps and rear rotary lamps) and even though I invested significant time and money in developing and was prepared to start manufacturing these gauge pods, I simply have decided against it. Not an easy decision nor one made without serious consideration, but the right one for me, none-the-less.
I'm sorry to disappoint, but the reality of it is that there are much more important areas of focus that concern me than a few bits of plastic.
Compounding or simplifying the decision, depending on your perspective, is the fact I decided to walk away from the RX-8 next month when my lease is up. So, I wouldn't have a platform for developing parts anyway.
Thanks to all for your interest. Again, I am sorry to disappoint. I do understand Racing Beat has released their gauge cluster ... perhaps their product will suit some of your needs.
Therefore, I am selling off my remaining inventory of parts (puddle lamps and rear rotary lamps) and even though I invested significant time and money in developing and was prepared to start manufacturing these gauge pods, I simply have decided against it. Not an easy decision nor one made without serious consideration, but the right one for me, none-the-less.
I'm sorry to disappoint, but the reality of it is that there are much more important areas of focus that concern me than a few bits of plastic.
Compounding or simplifying the decision, depending on your perspective, is the fact I decided to walk away from the RX-8 next month when my lease is up. So, I wouldn't have a platform for developing parts anyway.
Thanks to all for your interest. Again, I am sorry to disappoint. I do understand Racing Beat has released their gauge cluster ... perhaps their product will suit some of your needs.
