

| Subject: | Re: Outside Temperature |
| From: | Chris S. |
| Date: | Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:43:40 -0500 |
I finally found a picture of one like I have. Mine is smaller but the print is large and easy to read. Because it's not backlit I have to use a flashlight at night. On the upside, it never needs batteries. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xDHreJHWeB0/TNt1_LSLR4I/AAAAAAAAA4U/oRcbcLPPDcw/s1600/weather+station.jpg Chris. Wysłane z iPhone'a Dnia Dec 19, 2011 o godz. 22:23 OK David <okdavid55@ATT.NET> napisał(a): > I also like to be aware of the outside temp when I'm driving my Vanagon. > > Several years ago, I installed an LED thermometer in my '91 Carat similar to > this one: > http://www.digital-auto-gauges.com/products/Auto-Thermometer-Gauge-for-Truck > s-and-Cars.html In doing a quick Internet search, this is the only one I > could find that looks similar to mine. > > Mine has red digits, a black bezel and the lens is smoke-colored with no > printing on it, so when the thermometer is not displaying the temp (I have > it wired into the ignition circuit so it only displays when the ignition is > on), it's all black and blends in with the black dashboard and dash panel. > > I installed it immediately to the right of the cigarette lighter (just above > the glovebox). This location makes it easy to access the back for > installation and wiring purposes. All it took was a 2-1/16" holesaw to > quickly make the opening. I placed the wiring to the temp probe behind the > carpet on the passenger side. I drilled a small hole under the carpet > through the passenger side front wheel opening, where the probe and its > wiring pass through. I don't remember exactly, but as I recall, I let the > probe itself hang about an inch or so into the wheel opening. Of course, I > sealed the small drill hole to both hold the wire in place and keep the > outside air outside. > > The digits are large enough to be easy-to-read at a glance, under any > lighting conditions, and has performed very well over the years. I like to > check it against the roadside sign temp displays you see here and there, and > it either agrees with or is always within a degree or two of most of them > (not that they are perfectly accurate -- and at least one of those roadside > temp signs in my area (on I-235) always seems quite inaccurate!). > > The temp gauge I have flashes the word "ICE" for about 15 seconds when the > outside air drops to 37 degrees, or if it is below 37 when I turn on the > ignition to start and run the van's engine. This flashing gets your > attention, even though the gauge is not directly in the driver's line of > sight. > > The gauge I included the link for above seems kinda pricey -- IIRC, I paid > about $45 for the one I have. There are a number of 12 volt LED > thermometers currently on eBay for less than $50, but they seem to all have > rectangular housings. But if you're handy, you can probably make a > rectangular hole to fit one of those. > > Finally, if you decide to wire your thermometer to the ignition, but you > also want to be able to check the temp when the ignition is off, you could > always additionally wire in a momentary-contact button or switch to power it > up on demand as well. > > BTW, this same source also sells an outside/inside temp combo gauge, too: > http://www.digital-auto-gauges.com/products/Inside-Outside-Auto-Thermometer- > Gauge-for-Trucks-and-Cars-dual-display.html > > Hope this helps. Good luck! > > David S. in OKC, OK > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of > Steven Shelton > Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 11:00 AM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Outside Temperature > > When we're camping I'm always curious about the outside temperature. Has > anyone installed an outside/inside temperature gauge that they're happy > with? Please share what brand you used and how you installed it.
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