Completely digital cluster! *Update "3" 9/8/07*

[Safety Guy]

Though I'm not a fan of "digital," this is an interesting thread. I'm putting a link to it from my LED thread in the General forum.

And here's a link to that thread:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10842

Good luck on your project, RJV!

Karl

[archiebold]

Thanks for that Safety Guy. That might help this gain some popularity. As it turns out learning Assembly Language is easier than I first thought. Using multisim I am moving right along with the programming aspect and it will indeed make for a much easier (and cheaper!) project. Hopefully by the middle of April I will have something hardwired into my cluster for some photo shoots 8)

Thanks for the encouragement!

RJV

[rain406]

How's the cluster comin' along? Sounds awesome!!!

[SimonTuffGuy]

I'm pretty sure this was already done on "Pimp My Ride" in that chick's Festiva... They had custom digital guages installed in the dash that ran bars.

[25Horseplay]

There is also a cluster from a Mada 626 turbo that is digital that has been adapted to work in a Festiva. Might also get a digital froma GTX and make it work.

[neanderpaul]

You cut the fresh air off (recirculate on), or pop a back side window open, or roll down the window a little bit to prevent the flopping door frame. I was also told that the 88-89 doors don't do that. The guy who told me had bought doors from my 89 specifically to solve that problem.

[25Horseplay]

^^??

[Festiva_tunner]

Speedo is not reqired by any law in the U.S.

You are required however to "Obey Posted Limits" And can be writen a speeding and a faulty equipment ticket for not having one.



I've considered making a electronic display as well but just another project I have never gotten around to.

[Festiva_tunner]

Speedometer ! I don't need no stinken' speedometer.

Mine actually quit for a few weeks and I would just know how fast I was going. My daughters didn't know how. But that's what happens when you drive a car for 468,000 miles, that's right it tripped today on the way home from work. only 32,000 more to go :lol:

Top 10 ways you can calculate your speed in a Festiva.
1) Just wet your finger and stick it out the window
2) You know that your tires start shaking when you get over 55, 60 or 65mph or all three.
3) You can tell your speed by the pitch of wind going over your car or by the whine of the fan belt.
4) The out of round right rear tire syncs up with the out of balance left front at 72mph and you feel like a bowl of jello.
5) You know what your car/engine sounds like at 35,45,55,65,70,75,80,85, pegged.
6) You know how fast you are going by how far you have the volume turned up on the radio.
7) You have to roll up the window at 45 so you can hear the person on your cell phone.
8.) You know you are close to 70 in 3rd gear when it does not accelerate anymore and the pedal is to the metal :lol:
.
.
ok that all I could come up with, someone help me out with the next 3.

10.) At 85 everything smooths out and rides like glass

[archiebold]

Finally some PICS! or at least one. Sorry it is taking so long to get some updates. I finally have the code worked out for the tach, i have to get the bar driver part working yet. The speedo shares the code with the exception of a few lines so that should come along nicely once i get rolling.
Just a teaser.. at night no less!

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/779/0907070144nj4.jpg

Just to decode for you.. that would be 1900 RPM's or 1.90 x1000

[htchbck]

Awesome! looks great, glad to see you didn't give up on it, I'm looking forward to the finished product

[Festiva_tunner]

sounds like its comming along for you hope to see more pics soon . . . I like the choice of blue as well

[archiebold]

'Nother update mainly for some more pics. I have now added circuitry that will force the display to dim when the headlights are turned on (when its dark) so there will be less of a blinding effect
Pics included are
1: Display at night with full brightness
2: Display at night with "dimming"
3: Display during daytime with no "dimming" (plus a sneak peak at the circuitry )**

1: http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1...8072107vr0.jpg
2: http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/497...072107auz4.jpg
3: http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/863/0908072112lg6.jpg

**For those who fear, dont worry. The entire unit will be behind "smoke" colored plexiglass so the end user will see nothing but the blue display.

[Motoxpress]

Looking good, I still think if you have the room add oil press to it. Keep us posted can't wait to see it finished.

Will

[FB71]

Speedo is not reqired by any law in the U.S.

COMAR (Annotated Code of Maryland) Vehicle Inspection Laws specifically states that all standard passenger vehicles must have a functioning method of displaying vehicle speed and distance travelled. I'm one of the committee members who wrote the law...

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your gauge build!!