Autometer Gauges

[91ghp5.0]

I'm looking to purchase oil pressure and water temp. gauges for my car after Christmas, but I was wondering something.

As much as I've heard about not installing mechanical gauges inside the car, I have a family friend who drives/races fox bodies and restores classic Mustangs for a living, and he promised me that I wouldn't have a problem.

So here is the question:
All of the Autometer gauges claim to be "lighted," but the mechanical gauges say that they require no electrical hook up. I'm assuming the mechanical gauges have no back lighting for use at night? I don't really want electrical short sweep (smaller face, more expensive than mechanical), but I may have to, because I need to have the gauges lighted.

Anybody know something I don't? Thanks guys.

Edit: Oh, and the "gauge cages" that fit into the AC vents require 2 5/8'' gauges, but only two or three of the 15 Autometer styles of gauges come in 2 5/8''. What the heck is that all about?

 

[Quikstang]

No problem.. I have the 2 gauge cage in the a/c vents in my car. It still retains the a/c too.. cool huh. But to answer your question, I have mechanical oil pressure and water temp, 2 5/8 pro com or sport comp , the silver face ones.. I can go look if i need to , they are lighted gauges so you wont have a problem. I think they mean no electrical hook ups to make them work,They are full sweep gauges. ... Hmmm I hope that answered your question.. I know you dont want to mount a mechanical fuel pressure gauge inside the car without an isolater(sp?)

 

[91ghp5.0]

Are they ultralite? mechanical, and full sweep?

got any pics of the set up (day/night would be GREAT!). if not, that's cool.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Quikstang]

Double post..

 

[Quikstang]

Ok, had to run out to the garage. The Oil press. and Water temp are Pro-Comp Ultra Lites. 2 5/8 full sweep mechanical gauges. I also have the matching Sport Comp Monster tach. Looks pretty sweet. I have a picture of them during the day and I think one at night. I will try and post them in the morning, my laptop is at work.. i will see what i can do.

 

[89streetbeast]

electric guages mean they use electric sending units and you just hook wires to them rather than using a copper or plastic line like the mechanical guages do. they all come with the lighting, electric and mechanical. for the FP guage tho, i wouldnt run a mechanical guage in the car, too many electric lines, and if you have a spark, then instant fire and possible blowing up your car. the electric guages for FP is quite a bit higher but its money well spent. rather be on the safeside .

 

[91ghp5.0]

Ok, had to run out to the garage. The Oil press. and Water temp are Pro-Comp Ultra Lites. 2 5/8 full sweep mechanical gauges. I also have the matching Sport Comp Monster tach. Looks pretty sweet. I have a picture of them during the day and I think one at night. I will try and post them in the morning, my laptop is at work.. i will see what i can do.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I can't wait to see pics tomorrow (that's if you can, if not, don't worry).

When you installed them, did they come with the "bulb covers" that most Autometers come with (green and red)?w

Fuel pressure isn't going in yet. Im considering fuel pressure and either boost or nitrous pressure on the cowl for whenever I need it.

 

[SteedaGT9150]

im getting three for xmas from the girlfriend (air-fuel, water temp, volts). im going to put them on the a pillar, ill post pics up when they are in

 

[91ghp5.0]

I've heard bad things about the A/F gauges like that, not even just Autometer. You'd probably be better off buying a wideband and tuning it with their unit or a cheapo laptop.

Unfortunately, I can't put 3 on the pillar because my car is a GHP patrol car, and the spotlight get's in the way. Oh well, two on the A pillar, two in the AC vent.

Besides, I like having a SSP car

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

i had an oil pressure guage as well as water temp and boost in a gauge cage. never had a problem with any kind of leaks, i really like mechanical gauges cause of the super fast response.


i am preplacing all my guages this winter from sunpro gauges to autometer gauges, not because of quality but because i want all my gauges to match and i am adding a fuel pressure gauge.

does anyone have any pics of how lit up autometer gauges get at night? i had a problem with my sunpro's being kinda dim at night

 

[91ghp5.0]

quikstang is going to put pics up tomorrow of his ultralite and sportcomp (i believe) gauges (mechanical) day/night tomorrow if he can. The ones that I've experienced were pretty bright.

 

[Quikstang]

Ok... i ended up having to just take some pictures today. but now it is saying the pics are too big to attatch.. Lol.... i will try and get them resized when the woman gets home and try again... Sorry for the wait. As far as the nipples for the lights, I put the green ones on mine, then i went through hell and high water to get a green one in the tach, cause its a smaller bulb, but with some determination and a lot of though i got it workin... I will get the pics up tonight...

 

[91ghp5.0]

Thanks bro, it will be greatly appreciated. You're in Orlando as well? I'm in O-town as well. Can't wait to see pictures!

So, how do you get power for the light bulbs with no electrical hook ups (or so autometer says)?

Try photobucket.com for resizing.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

there is one wire for the bulb. i hooked mine up to the illumination wire off my cd player.

 

[91ghp5.0]

Gotcha, thanks man.

edit: Are yours liquid filled, or the standard mechanical? Here is what Autometer has to say about the plain old mechanical:

"These mechanical gauges require no electrical power for operation making them an ideal choice for vehicles with no or low powered electrical systems."

 

[Quikstang]

OK... Geeez.. I was begginging to give up. The night pics came out HORRIBLE!! Poor camera i guess. But here is a halfway decent day shot of the gauges. They are wired with a positive and a negative lead for the lights. I grounded all mine together then ran them to a relay for power, that gets the signal from my parking light fuse. My gauges are about 8 years old, so the new ones may possible be different. Sorry for the long wait. And yep.. I am out in waterford lakes. Graduated from University of Central Florida a few years ago, and never made it out of Orlando.. Lol. Enjoy!!

 

[91ghp5.0]

Looks good man, thanks!