Looking for a combo meter/gauge.. LCD

[groundhog]

This is the computer age...

I just fabricated a new control panel for my boat (sapele wood hoo hoo!).
Anyway, instead of putting all of these round old style gauges back in, I am wondering if there is like one large LCD display multi-gauge that I can put in? This would be for RPM, Volts, Amps, Temp. Maybe Fuel level.

Is there an advantage to stick with the old style analog guages?

Thanks,
gh

[sailingdog]

Yes, the old analog gauges are easier to read in many ways. You get accustomed to where the needles should be, and then when one is off, it jumps out at you.

Also... if the one LCD panel craps out... you lose all your gauges... it is not a real bright idea IMHO to introduce a single point of failure on your instrument panel.

[SEMIJim]

Call me a dinosaur. I like the fancy-schmancy full-colour LCD displays, make no mistake, but it's hard to beat good ol' analog mechanical or electro-mechanical dial gauges for readability and, more importantly, reliability. The A4 on our new-to-use boat has three such old-fashioned gauges: Oil pressure, engine temperature and ammeter. Wouldn't trade 'em for the world. If one craps-out, I'll replace it with an identical gauge. (Or as nearly as possible.) Wouldn't mind havin' idiot lights and audible alarms to back 'em up, as attention-getters, tho.

Jim

[rewell6]

SD is right, the analogs are easier to read at a glance. With a digital readout you have to read the number and think if it is right. With analog, it's just a glance.

Here is a racing trick for you. Turn all of your old analog guages so the needle points straight up when the engine is operating normally. Then it only takes a glance. If all the needles are straight up, everything's fine. If one or more is not straight up, something's amiss.

[groundhog]

Ok, you have swung me back towards the analog guages.

Next question is, what brands/models would you suggest?
I would like them to all be visually similar if possible.

gh

[sailingdog]

why not get all one brand.... I'm sure someone makes all the gauges you're looking to replace.

[SanderO]

VDO has a nice range of gauges. You can get an NEMA 2000 instrument with LCD for big buck which can display data in analog format. Add as many transducers as you want. Check out some of Panbo's finds

http://www.panbo.com/archives/cat_network_control.html


jef
sv shiva

[resdog]

Search and ye shall find. Analog combo gauge:

http://www.boatersland.com/far-33851.html

[sailingdog]

resdog-

No tach on that combo gauge.. .

[rewell6]

check out Autometer's site

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugeseries.aspx

I don't think they have a combo gauge like resdog found, but they have a dizzying selection of different styles.