Just a minor mod that I did due to the wonderful alternator or /and start motor issues that seem to crop up every so often.  Or and the battery that just failed one day going from a bit iffy one morning to dead that night. A "Le Mans" battery it came with the car, (I've not come across them before). My guess is a generic cheap battery badged up for a corner motor factors somewhere, I apologise if they are a reputable brand.

 

I decided I needed to know what the voltage was so when I just happened to see this tiny little LED unit on an eBay store. As I was already ordering something else, it ended up being a bargain for a couple of quid.  As there was a live supply near the cabin light, it was straight forward to connect there.  It might not be amazingly accurate but it is a help.  The draw on the battery is miniscule so I was not worried about leaving it permanently on.  Usually the battery sits at 12.6v, it just happens that I took the photo after a short trip and the battery was 'settling down'.

 

I am sure other people would have other locations to put a gauge. Some would even have the skill to make it live when the ignition becomes live

 

 

Am I mad?

 

 

Nah, a shame and a retrograde step when VAG removed the SOC function on the Maxidot.

 

I some time wonder if just VAG was the retrograde step 

 

Seriously, nothing as high tech in my basic L Felicia  

I fit a similar one to all my vehicles, its made for motorcycles or open cars & has a weatherproof cover which I dont use, its round with the LED voltage readout and an USB socket plus a small on/off rocker switch.

 

When switched off you cannot see the LED segments & its just a discreet black socket.

 

IMO its essential for a modern vehicle that is not regularly used where the standby current can deplete the battery, I have a new battery which I would not have needed to buy had I installed the voltmeter worse still because it ran down once its capacity and life are significantly reduced according to my load tester.

Edited 8 October, 20205 yr by J.R.

J.R. I like the sound of that.

 

A Christmas upgrade for me :) 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-24V-QC-3-0-Car-Boat-USB-Phone-Charger-Socket-LED-Voltmeter-ON-OFF-Switch-/313131743863?var=&hash=item48e81b3a77

 

Keep an eye on them, they are frequently listed for less, I pay around £4.50 delivered.

 

Like here! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-24V-4-2A-Dual-USB-Car-Motorcycle-Charger-Socket-Adapter-Outlet-LED-Voltmeter/264627199821?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200520130048%26meid%3D26aeee40deb64001a235ef66c4dbc3c9%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D313131743863%26itm%3D264627199821%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Edited 8 October, 20205 yr by J.R.

Have you actually measured the current it draws @Another_Felicia?  I think it may be a little more than you expect.

 

I have an LCD voltmeter module plumbed into my car, which has the disadvantage of not being visible in the dark (without light pointing at it), but the advantage of drawing only 0.5mA.

10 minutes ago, Wino said:

Have you actually measured the current it draws @Another_Felicia?  I think it may be a little more than you expect.

 

Yes you are right, sometimes things are more hungry than they should be.

 

'Allegedly' the thing is rated between 0.05-0.15mA. I've not checked it as my digital multimeter has gone on the blink. My backup meter is an old fashioned flappy needle thing as is not accurate enough. When I get my replace meter I'll get a reading.  Luckily the car is out regularly so no appreciable drop. 

 

Cheers

Well worth measuring, I don't believe those numbers at all.

This is my previous project, except coolant temperature i pay attention to the voltage too.

2 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

This is my previous project, except coolant temperature i pay attention to the voltage too.

I like that very much.  What is the other dial Warp Core dilithium flow? 

@Another_Felicia: "What is the other dial Warp Core dilithium flow? "

Sorry but english isn't my primary language, you mean the gauge on the console or the one on the asthray's place?

 

Below is my console as is now, the photo isn't good but you can get an idea

Water temperature,Voltage,Temperature (inside-outside),Battery.

21 hours ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

@Another_Felicia: "What is the other dial Warp Core dilithium flow? "

Sorry but english isn't my primary language, you mean the gauge on the console or the one on the asthray's place?

 

Below is my console as is now, the photo isn't good but you can get an idea

Water temperature,Voltage,Temperature (inside-outside),Battery.

dont you think you went a bit overboard

On 17/10/2020 at 10:22, Thefeliciahacker said:

dont you think you went a bit overboard

 

My ''dream" was an small LCD screen on the console but unfortunately i have an old OBD port and not an OBD2 so nothing can happen.

Nevertheless the infos even from those small gauges are very useful to me.

Why do you have both analogue guages & LED readouts of the water temperature and battery voltage?

 

What are the two illuminated switches for?

3 hours ago, J.R. said:

Why do you have both analogue guages & LED readouts of the water temperature and battery voltage?

 

What are the two illuminated switches for?

 

Water temperature (analog), Temperature Inside-Outside the car (digital)

I bought the 2 analog gauges having in mind that i will put a small Led screen or a smartphone in the console but latter i found that i can not do it due to the lack of OBD-2 port. Then i had to make some ''adjustments" to fill the gap.

 

The first switch giver power to an extra light (when i need it) and the second gives power to the console (especially at night is useful)

Edited 18 October, 20205 yr by D.FYLAKTOS

On 18/10/2020 at 12:42, D.FYLAKTOS said:

My ''dream" was an small LCD screen on the console

What do you think about this project?

http://ok2jnj.ok2kld.cz/ok2jnj/cs/2014/12/mikropocitac-ve-favoritu/

It's complete with circuit board blueprints and source files for the controller IC.

Ready to be built.

Google translate:

Quote

 

1. automatic switching on of lights after starting the car - it is controlled according to the engine speed and supply voltage (must be min. 12,5V - charging works)

2. gradual lighting of the cabin lighting - controlled by the PWM channel of the processor

3. measurement of engine speed - indication by bargraph, which was originally supposed to be from LED diodes, is finally displayed on the last line of the display

4. measuring the voltage on board the car

5. temperature measurement - indoor, outdoor and engine temperature

6. clock - due to the location of the display, the original, analog were canceled

7. programmable wiper timer

 

 

Very interesting but i hesitate for 3 reasons:

1) The translation of the manual (my electrician is from Moldavia) and some terms can not translated as they must from google

2) The warranty of the product,check my topic for the TC-6 and you will understand

3) In case that something will go wrong after few years no one here will fix it,everybody will say ''i don't know that, go to the guy which sold this to you" and relative comments.

 

16 hours ago, R_Blue said:

1. automatic switching on of lights after starting the car - it is controlled according to the engine speed and supply voltage (must be min. 12,5V - charging works)

2. gradual lighting of the cabin lighting - controlled by the PWM channel of the processor

3. measurement of engine speed - indication by bargraph, which was originally supposed to be from LED diodes, is finally displayed on the last line of the display

4. measuring the voltage on board the car

5. temperature measurement - indoor, outdoor and engine temperature

6. clock - due to the location of the display, the original, analog were canceled

7. programmable wiper timer

 

 

1. It's like a DRL? personally i don't like it

2. I have replaced the factory bulb and added 2 strong led small panels so i can see clearly even if there is a small gravel on the carpet.

Sometimes i get in-exit the car at night with the cabin light on Off in purpose.

3. Analogue gauge is more visible

4. I have already a digital voltmeter on the console plus one in my TC-6

5. I have already a digital temperature gauge on the console plus via my TC-6 i see the temperature inside the filter case

6. I have already a digital clock on the console but i look often my wrist watch especially at night when the car is off

7. That's very interesting because many times due to the adjustments from the right lever i can not find the proper synchronization of the wiper,sometimes is faster sometimes is slower (always depending from the rain rhythm).

9 hours ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

That's very interesting because many times due to the adjustments from the right lever i can not find the proper synchronization of the wiper,sometimes is faster sometimes is slower (always depending from the rain rhythm).

 

That's because Felicia already has programmable timer. But it measures time of lever being in off position, not time since last wipe, so it can be a bit tricky to reset.

Edited 6 September, 20214 yr by Papez

17 hours ago, Papez said:

 

That's because Felicia already has programmable timer. But it measures time of lever being in off position, not time since last wipe, so it can be a bit tricky to reset.

I wish they could do something for the rear wiper,the manual function makes me nervous sometimes.

17 hours ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

I wish they could do something for the rear wiper,the manual function makes me nervous sometimes.

 

They did, the "INT" position in fusebox is for rear intermittent relay.

Edited 8 September, 20214 yr by Papez

3 hours ago, Papez said:

 

They did, the "INT" position in fusebox is for rear intermittent relay.

 

You have installed an extra relay on that position? and does what?

 

20 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

You have installed an extra relay on that position? and does what?

 

No, I removed it from one Felicia Mystery, where it malfunctioned. It was supposed to run rear wiper in 5 second interval, activated by pushing wiper lever to rear washer for a short period. In said Felicia, it activated everytime rear screen was washed and couldn't be turned off.

It was optional extra included in some editions

Edited 8 September, 20214 yr by Papez

When I bought my Trusty i thought the front wiper had the same timer as the rear. Then i saw that the back has only one (manualy) function.  On the highway i do not mind but in city traffic it is very annoying while raining to push every time the lever to clean the rear window.

On 06/09/2021 at 11:30, D.FYLAKTOS said:

Very interesting but i hesitate for 3 reasons:

1) The translation of the manual (my electrician is from Moldavia) and some terms can not translated as they must from google

2) The warranty of the product,check my topic for the TC-6 and you will understand

3) In case that something will go wrong after few years no one here will fix it,everybody will say ''i don't know that, go to the guy which sold this to you" and relative comments.

You are lucky to have a real electrician at all! Anyone who can join wires by twisting the ends together becomes an electrician nowadays. If I had showed this project to an electrician they would give me this face -> Can't describe it better.

With TC-6, you've already made your own dream come true! 👍

 

On 06/09/2021 at 11:30, D.FYLAKTOS said:

1. It's like a DRL? personally i don't like it

I think, that's either for lazy people or just for showing off. In dark winter days, I saw people leaving their low beam light switches always on but weak battery performance in such days makes the crank harder so they have to switch it off and on again. In new cars, lights are automatic. A mod like this will surely give some new technology feeling. I think it is connected after the low beam light switch so if you don't turn it on, it won't have an effect.

On 06/09/2021 at 11:30, D.FYLAKTOS said:

2. I have replaced the factory bulb and added 2 strong led small panels so i can see clearly even if there is a small gravel on the carpet.

Sometimes i get in-exit the car at night with the cabin light on Off in purpose.

I've found a solution for the chronic broken interior light switch handle tip. I also have leds in there too. I'm planning to post a topic about that. Anyways, the second function is also for giving "a technology from new cars" feeling. I saw an Audi A3 yesterday and the interior light lit up just like mentioned in the project. After opening the door it comes alive gradually. After closing the doors, it goes off with a delay.

 

With TC6 and your own modifications, you won't need much of this project's benefits. This projects main focus is pre-1993 Fav. cars. They don't have a tachometer too. I recommend people with old models to take a copy of the web sites contents before it vanishes from internet. It's a very valuable project both for car enthusiasts and electronic hobbyists. The Czechs really love their cars and I appreciate that.

 

Do you like old style digital dashboards? Could you believe Lada Samara had this dashboard with a separate trip computer in 1989?