Automotive Gauge Blank - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: bumblebii
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2017, 09:35:43 pm
content: Hi,I am curently woking on a small automotive based project . My problem is that i need to buy a small amount ( ~ 100 ) blank 52mm gauge housings. Has any one of you know of a manufacturer or a reseller that sells that kind of stuff .

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2017, 10:29:53 pm
content: Keywords 2" (52mm) gauge pod, housing or cup.Amazon has the cups.The problem is the backside, the connectors/holes, mounting are different between gauge housings.I would do the 3D design and get them made from molds3D files already out there to start from2" 52mm automotive gauge design step filesProtolabs mold making

author: bumblebii
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 05:18:09 pm
content: Hi,I am sorry , maybe i didn't explain it well ... I am able to buy the mounts, cups etc. What i am looking for is the enclosure itself . An "empty" gauge , that i can put my meter in .I am aware i can send a 3d model to make a mold , but since i don't need a specific shape any 52mm gauge enclosure will do . My problem is that i am not able to find a manufacturer who sells that type of enclosures , despite being so common in the automotive & boat world .

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2017, 06:01:03 pm
content: I'm not understanding what you are looking forEnclosures go around something, are on the outside.For an automotive gauge, you need the bezel, window, pod/cup.Inside is the PCB and faceplate.

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2017, 02:33:09 pm
content: Those cups take the actual gauges, but the gauges are just like the pods.If you want to do a low quantity run, grab some aluminium/stainless/pvc/delrin/abs/nylon/etc, thread it on the outside and then get caps machined, thats what the gauges are a tube with a glued/screwed/folded over tin to old the face and the same in the back.You will have to do something custom, or buy the cheapest taobao gauge in the size you need an re-use the gauge "chassis".

author: max_torque
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2017, 03:12:43 pm
content: Googling "52mm gauge housing" turned up a few results, such as:http://imtronics.com/housings.htm

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2017, 07:04:24 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on July 27, 2017, 06:01:03 pmNo, the gauge itself has an enclosure which then fits into the pod/cup. The picture in the OP shows a bare gauge, no PCB or other internals are exposed.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2017, 08:57:18 pm
content: I've only ever seen the PCB fit into the cup - no 2nd enclosure.If it's a stepper-motor gauge, the faceplate bolts to the PCB and the PCB/faceplate/pointer assembly is dropped into the cup.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 11:47:53 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on July 28, 2017, 08:57:18 pmYou are getting confused between housings. The housing originally refereed to in the second post a pod/cup etc. is an enclosure that mounts within the car into which a gauge can then be mounted. The gauge will have it's own housing, quite separate from this pod/cup/

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 08:10:52 pm
content: OK, I see the "gauge holders" like in these pics.I was thinking OP making a single gauge; Some cups have the mounting arm, so no need for a holder.That makes three possible blank enclosures and four names - cup, pod, holder, housing...