Calling all pilots/aircraft techs
 

Anyone know where I can pick up used aircraft guages? I'm looking to try something totally diffrent for my cluster. I know it will be expensive as hell, but I want a N1 (for boost pressure), N2 (for oil pressure), airspeed, FQI, altimiter, and maybe a MFD and HSI. I've tried doing searches on the net for avionics manufacturers, but I can't find anything I'm looking for. Even Ultralight guages would probably suffice. But I'm trying to find the guages first, then see what kind of layout I can work with. On a side note, anyone know the average size of the guages (depth) and if I should even consider doing this mod?

Try looking under hang gliders. for a all-in-1 instrument(s). also para-gliders, even sky-diving.

The absolute best place Ive dealt with is Aircraft Spruce. Good prices and good stuff. I got my EGT steup from them.

Here is a sample of what I'm looking for:

Spedometer
http://wampa.net/roboto/speedo.jpg

boost and fuel
http://wampa.net/roboto/fuel%20and%20boost.jpg

oil temp and pressure
http://wampa.net/roboto/oil%20temp%20and%20pressure.jpg

and maybe a MFD if I can find a real cheap one
http://wampa.net/roboto/mfd.jpg

There are other guages I may think of. Not all of them will be on the cluster, however, I'm thinking of putting a "stack" on the center console. All of this is purely an idea.

Your multi-function display will cost you more than your car is worth. 5-10g

As far as the other stuff, it should fit in your guage cluster, but the guages are typically pretty small. The only thing I happen to have is a Missile control with a broken toggle switch... not giving it up, though.

Look for GA gauges. Analog gauges from an airliner will never fit (engine gauges are like a foot long), and youd need the proper senders, and many work off 115VAC, 400 cycle. GA stuff is 12 or 24vdc, easier to work with. As far as the MFD, give it up, way too much $$$$$$$.

Any good sites you can point me to for some analog GA? I tried alot of sites with no luck. :S

Yes I told u http://www.aircraftspruce.com/index.php

Good stuff there. :) I like the stack, but its kinda $ for my beer budget.

Look in a Kitplanes magazine, they have all kinds of vendors for this stuff.

As for the MFD, cheapest way out will be a Single Board Computer or laptop wired to a LCD display. All kinds of sensors that you can hook up and custom program to a display. Lots of work and if you don't know how (C++, hardware setup, software apps) it will be a major PITA. I could do it, but I bet several months of work and $2000 mininum.

Good luck, if that's really what you want go for it!

Rx7Carl and Rex4Life, thanks for your input, one other question, what is the average depth/length of ga analog guages? would they fit easily where the insturment cluster is or center console for that matter? When I was in the AF, I worked at a F-15 APS, and most of the guages and puters that went into the F-15 were way too big to even consider to put into my car.

spruce(in Ga.) is 15 min down the road from me :) they sell this cool stuff called invisable glove... it coats your hands in a mek proof barerier for upto 4 hours... and helps keep the greese outa the cracks :)

GA gauges are alot shallower than What your find in an airliner, and probably a fighter jet. Specs do vary though, so just check them. They will be listed in the description. Oh and how did you plan to use an airspeed indicator? You gonna put a pitot tube on the car?

Well, for the airspeed ind, I was going ask the manu if they could make me a special one to work with an auto (cable driven). But I guess a pitot wouldnt be a bad idea, just set it up in the front of the car, but it wouldn't be 100% accurate (wind, wake of other vehicles etc.).

It'd be easier to take the guts out of a regular speedo and transfer them into the airspeed indicator housing/face/dial. Just my $0.02

http://www.dakotadigital.com/products.cfm?Category=71

Try this, It's not exactly what your looking for but it might be an alternative