Custom Voltmeter Gauge Install on my FR-S - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Carban · 02-22-2014, 10:44 PM

A quick write-up on my procedure of installing an interior voltmeter. For anyone who's interested in a reference of the cars voltage on the fly.

Why?
-Monitor battery and alternator performance before getting stranded
-Recognizing an excessive voltage drain (or spikes) before a problem becomes a serious issue
-Use accessories when the engine is off while knowing when to start the car for a recharge

I bought a few of these on ebay, yes, they were cheap but they work pretty well and are perfect for custom applications
Accuracy +/- .1v Refresh rate about .5 seconds

I used the 12v dc cig lighter behind the glovebox for power and connected ground to one of the bolts holding the head unit housing

Removed the passenger side dashboard plastic cover, then removed the center dashboard plastic cover (pictured). Started my cutout for the meter by measuring where i wanted it then drilling a couple small holes followed by a good amount of filing down until the meter fit just right

Not perfect, but the flaws should be covered by the time im finished

Meter fits nice and snuggy

Also to help keep it in place i used a couple pieces of one-sided adhesive foam behind the cutout

Finished off by adding a piece of tinted film over the front.
Measures accurately and refreshes constantly

Thanks for looking!

DriftEightSix · 02-23-2014, 11:04 PM

You about to get more pics of it connected up in the glove box at all?

KkSc · 02-23-2014, 11:24 PM

Very impressive...thanks for the write up!

userjack6880 · 02-24-2014, 02:12 AM

Personally, I would have stuck this on the driver side of that trim panel, but I guess this is all up to preferences.

Carban · 02-25-2014, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriftEightSix

You about to get more pics of it connected up in the glove box at all?

Not much to see. this is basically what i did: Unplug cig lighter, connect power wire from the meter into the power(12v) slot of the cig lighter's connector. done. just one small wire.
Let me know if you do happen to need pics tho ill do my best to provide.

Quote:

Originally Posted by userjack6880

Personally, I would have stuck this on the driver side of that trim panel, but I guess this is all up to preferences.

The steering wheel blocks that spot from my vision. Also that side of the panel was at too much of an angle. Oh and because there was no room behind that side of the panel. Maybe a good spot for something in the future

userjack6880 · 02-25-2014, 01:18 PM

Good 'nuff. I could have sworn there was ample room behind that trim there.

sirisvirus · 03-15-2014, 10:02 AM

Good write up but why would you need to know the voltage on the fly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Carban · 05-10-2014, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirisvirus

Good write up but why would you need to know the voltage on the fly.

See top of original post:

Why?
-Monitor battery and alternator performance before getting stranded
-Recognizing an excessive voltage drain (or spikes) before a problem becomes a serious issue
-Use accessories when the engine is off while knowing when to start the car for a recharge

02-22-2014, 10:44 PM	#1
Carban Grease Monkey Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: Whiteout FR-S Location: OC, CA Posts: 114 Thanks: 63 Thanked 52 Times in 24 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Custom Voltmeter Gauge Install on my FR-S A quick write-up on my procedure of installing an interior voltmeter. For anyone who's interested in a reference of the cars voltage on the fly. Why? -Monitor battery and alternator performance before getting stranded -Recognizing an excessive voltage drain (or spikes) before a problem becomes a serious issue -Use accessories when the engine is off while knowing when to start the car for a recharge I bought a few of these on ebay, yes, they were cheap but they work pretty well and are perfect for custom applications Accuracy +/- .1v Refresh rate about .5 seconds I used the 12v dc cig lighter behind the glovebox for power and connected ground to one of the bolts holding the head unit housing Removed the passenger side dashboard plastic cover, then removed the center dashboard plastic cover (pictured). Started my cutout for the meter by measuring where i wanted it then drilling a couple small holes followed by a good amount of filing down until the meter fit just right Not perfect, but the flaws should be covered by the time im finished Meter fits nice and snuggy Also to help keep it in place i used a couple pieces of one-sided adhesive foam behind the cutout Finished off by adding a piece of tinted film over the front. Measures accurately and refreshes constantly Thanks for looking! __________________ R.I.P. '92 Honda Prelude you will be missed

02-23-2014, 11:04 PM	#2
DriftEightSix Pegasus White Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 86 Location: Brisbane. Posts: 973 Thanks: 646 Thanked 126 Times in 104 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You about to get more pics of it connected up in the glove box at all? __________________ Driving: Pegasus White Manual GTS 86.

02-23-2014, 11:24 PM	#3
KkSc Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 86 Location: West Vancouver Posts: 72 Thanks: 27 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Very impressive...thanks for the write up! __________________ 5000k HID/ Switchback LED signals/ Valenti LED Tail/ TRD Air Intake/ H&R Supersport with Koni Yellow Shocks

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