fuel gauge....?

[matter396]

Because I will be running a stock vw tank will it be fairly easy to get a good working fuel gauge to hook up? I know there are a lot of problems with these.

[jspbtown]

What kind of gauge do you want to run? Just about any major brand will work with the right sender. I used Dolphin gauges in my Manx build, but VDO, Autometer, etc all have gauges with senders that will bolts right up.

My build and the gauges I used are located in the members projetcs section under: "Project Manx completed"

[Bill K]

I used Dolphin gauges also, and I have to say the instructions that came with them were the best I've ever seen, especially when it came to proper set up of your float and sending unit. It has worked very well for 3 years now.

[Jack Duncan]

I'm using VDO gauges but my stock VW tank already had a VDO sending unit installed. It was stamped on the outside "VDO". Go figure! Someone must have changed it, but it was working with a VW gauge.

[matter396]

Wow I love those dolphin gauges they look great. A little retro a little modern and just plain great styling. very very vice.

[jspbtown]

And darn affordable....look on EBAY. Many color choices as well.

Oil sender screws right in. Volt meter works as any other kind does. Fuel gauge comes with a sender that, as Bill said, is kinda a pain but not impossible to figure out. Tach works well...and ALOT better with the VDO upgrade (if running electronic ignition). Speedo needs a little fab to mate up with speedo cable but just a little work and no real cost. It does come with a water temp gauge that can be used for oil, or just not used.

I also threw them in a Bradley I built:

[Aquabuggy]

Here are a couple more options
Stock VW speedo


VDO in white


VDO in black


The stock speedo looks like cr@p but it worked well and was cheap.

I had such crummy luck with fuel gauges that I didn't even install one in my green buggy. My gauge is open gas cap and look inside its been a very reliable gauge so far

[Texasbuggys]

Hey jspbtown, where did ya get the light up indicators in the Bradley and have any more pictures of them?

[Jack Duncan]

jspbtown, you got my attention when you mentioned electronic ignition when running a VDO tach. I have a new VDO tach in the cabinet waiting to go in my buggy, but I am also running a points ignition. Will this work for me? I guess I should read the instructions, huh?

[Aquabuggy]

jspbtown, you got my attention when you mentioned electronic ignition when running a VDO tach. I have a new VDO tach in the cabinet waiting to go in my buggy, but I am also running a points ignition. Will this work for me? I guess I should read the instructions, huh?

It will work just fine with the points.

[jspbtown]

Jack:
I agree with Aquabuggy...the VDO upgrade is for the electronic ignition systems only. You'll be find with the points.

Texasbuggys:
I sent the owner (I just built the car for someone...he supplied the switches) an email this morning asking him. I should have something for you tonight. I am 99% sure they were from the UK.

These are the only other two pics I have:

[Texasbuggys]

Thanks, those are pretty neat.

[David O']

Just to correct a misconception, VDO will work just fine with electronic or point ignition systems.

[jspbtown]

I apologize for being vague. When I built the Bradley I found the Dolphin tach to be slighly erratic and it didn't look like it was accurate based on the pure sound of the engine. I know...not scientific. In doing some research I came across some posts about a mod that was done to some VDO tachs that made them work better with the electronic ignitions. Below is what I have saved via cut and paste for my future use:

"What I meant was just to test your gauge light temporarily by wiring it to your front parking light. Hook your connection up like Scott said so your light will dim like when you turn you headlight switch knob around to brighten or dim your instrument lights. Pyro said to set it for 6 cylinder, that's what made mine work, but also try what Syberia said. Also like what was mentioned, it could be your ground. Solder all your connections for best results.. The diode I used was from Radio Shack, part# 276-1104, IN4005 Rectifier Diode. Let us now what the end result is, I'm interested to find out. It's just a shame that VDO makes a gauge that is problematic right out of the box. If I ever get another tach, it'll be a SUN Super II, I NEVER had a problem with that one, although not the best, it was reliable and functioned with no probs

Will VDO tachs work with points ignition or Pertronix?
Answer: Yes, with diode in line on the signal lead. Instructions are as follows:

Purchase a diode #1N4005 from a local electronics store such as Radio Shack or Circuit City. Cut both ends of the diode so each is approximately 3/4” long. Crimp 1/4” female spade connector on the end of the diode with the silver band. Crimp butt-splice connector on the other end of the diode. Crimp the opposite end of butt-splice connector to the wire connected to the ignition signal source. Connect 1/4” female spade connector used in #3 above to terminal #4 on the back of the tachometer. Connect a ground (-) wire to terminal #3. Connect a switched 12-volt power wire to terminal #2. Set switches for appropriate amount of cylinders


The side of the diode with the silver band goes toward the tach. It will make sense when you follow those instructions in my previous post and hook up the spade connectors to the diode. Get the smallest gauge (18-20) 1/4" connectors you can find to hook onto the diode. I hooked mine up so the diode is sort of independant of everything else, like this:

-Crimp 1/4” female spade connector on the end of the diode with the silver band.

-Crimp 1/4" male spade connector to other end of diode.

-Crimp 1/4" female spade connector to the end of the wire that goes to your coil.

-Plug diode into appropriate terminal on tachometer.

-Plug wire from the coil into the diode."

I applied this to my Dolphin tach on my Manx and it made a HUGE difference. Much smoother and not as erratic. Same pointless system, same tach, just on a different motor and a different car.