2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
View Poll Results: What do you guys think of my homebrew guage??
WOOW! Saabguy is awsome!!
20
39.22%
WOOW! Saabguy can't afford a real A/F Guage.
24
47.06%
Radio shack sux, buy a $200 guage.
7
13.73%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll

READ THIS Before you buy an A/F GUAGE!!

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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 10:24 AM
  #1  
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READ THIS Before you buy an A/F GUAGE!!

I just completed building my homemade A/F Guage out of parts from Radio Shack. It was kind of wierd the way I came accros the directions for how to build - I did a search on Yahoo.com. Parts are all available by mail order from Radio Shack - Comes to around $10-$20 bux depending on what you need to buy and what case you purchase.

http://www.rtcycles.com/CruiserCusto...ancarbtest.htm


Sory for the long *** link, let me know if it doesnt work!


I guess this guage is a duplicate of an Autometer guage, but hey it works great!! I am actually surprised at how acurate it is at idle and anything more than 1/3 throttle. My TII rx7 is running 13.5:1 at idle according to this little gaget. Let me know if you guys want some pictures of the finished product!!

Last edited by SaabGuy; Jan 9, 2002 at 10:26 AM.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 10:31 AM
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Heres a better link to the same directions. it has larger picures of some of the schematics (circuit board)

http://www.dbbp.com/dbbp/tech-tips/mm.html
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 11:26 AM
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Thumbs up

Thanks, Ill have to try that
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 11:26 AM
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That doesn't seem hard to make. Post some pics of the case you used.

I might make one of these little things. I see all of the items are available at Radio Shack, but it doesn't say where to get a print board. Wher'd you get yours?
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 01:09 PM
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Originally posted by jimmyv13
That doesn't seem hard to make. Post some pics of the case you used.

I might make one of these little things. I see all of the items are available at Radio Shack, but it doesn't say where to get a print board. Wher'd you get yours?
Looks like you would have to make the print board yourself, or use proto/drilled board and just attach everything with wire.

No real schematic anywhere though.... Hmmmm
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 01:32 PM
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Originally posted by Icemark


Looks like you would have to make the print board yourself, or use proto/drilled board and just attach everything with wire.

No real schematic anywhere though.... Hmmmm

That might be a bit outta my league if I have to make the board. Can't say that I've done much with electronics. I can solder things together, but if I have to build a board, I would require some assistance.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 01:55 PM
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that looks real easy i think i will try to build one tomarrow

if im successful i will post some pics.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 02:58 PM
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My A/F Guage works great!!!

I actually modified the circuit board slightly so I was able to fit everything in the smallest component box Radio Shack sells.

OK I'm gonna post a bunch of pics.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 03:00 PM
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BTW, I took one of those small circuit boards which RShack sells and just bridge soldered all the connections so I did not have to "make" a "nice" board.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 03:03 PM
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On the left is the open box shot of the A/F Guage, on the right is my HomeBuilt FCD.



P.S. Sorry these pics look kinda grose, its just a cheap webcam.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 03:06 PM
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ok let me know if you guys need some more pictures.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 08:07 PM
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post some night time pics :p
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 08:24 PM
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Here you go. Its a little dark though.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 08:26 PM
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wow thats a great night shot!
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 08:42 PM
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I know i drew it is MS Paint.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 10:05 PM
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Get yer car inspected slacker
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 10:45 PM
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I tried my hand at http://www.ggimages.com/rx7/afmon.html a while ago, and it didn't end up working.. It looks like that thing is pretty much the right half of the one at http://www.ggimages.com/rx7/afmon.html .. Does it flicker a lot? If so, that buffering circuit may help out..

-Tesla
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 11:03 PM
  #18  
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I'm taking the exact same type of thing at collage right now. sweet. I think I even have all the resistors and the IC in my parts kit. Looks like I have a new project in my electronics fabrication class! Thanks man.
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 11:03 PM
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list parts and part numbers of these radio shcak parts u used i cna get them i have a friend who works there jut let me know what parts they are all if u dont mind


crossbar
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 11:05 PM
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whast the print board part ##
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 11:07 PM
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I know that Ive said this many times, but you cant compare that to a 200-300 dollar a/f gauge. the reason that they are so expensive, is because they come with a seporate 02 sensor that is a lot more accurate.

The gauge that you can make yourself is not very accurate. They are comparable to the autometer or intellitronics gauge. Just thought that I would add that.
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 01:08 AM
  #22  
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Red face

If I can find the ******* RadioShack here in Greece, I'm going to try this !!!

I have also tried the last one posted (the one with the nickel plate face) and it can work, but you have to do a lot of soldering. I have also taken off my custom FCD in order to make it smaller and fit it next to my ECU.

I have also bought all the necessary components to make two temp gauges coming off the ECU (water and intake).

All these assuming I get off my **** and actually start doing the work....
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 02:10 AM
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I don't trust my soldering enough to build an FCD. I just spend the $90, especially when it comes to my fuel system.

Those A/F gauges look nice, but I had a dual gauge pod, so I bought a cheap *** Autometer one ($40) to fill the hole
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 02:29 AM
  #24  
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Thats nice for you guys, where you can get all sorts of gauges for 30, 40 or 50 bucks, but over here, even the simplest gauge costs more than 100 bucks , so you'll excuse me if I try to make anything I can myself, and save me a couple of bucks...
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 11:44 AM
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TheAce;

You may be able to order the parts, shipped to Greece from www.mouser.com They are huge.



The circuit board I used was about 2x2 inches, precut holes every 1/8 inch or so. I just used pieces of wires to make the connections.

I understand the acuracy issue, but for what I am doing this guage works great. It holds perfectly steady at idle and anything more than about 1/4 throttle. Cruising speeds it is all over the chart but who cares.

Oh i forgot to mention that I used a ceramic capaciter instead of the reccommended... Mylar?? I used the same value but if may be giving me better accuracy anyways.
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