Diy Custom Digital Dash for Classic Triumph Cars

If you're a classic Triumph car owner, you know how hard it can be to find a digital dash that fits your vehicle's unique needs. One solution is to create a custom digital dash using DIY electronics.

The first step is to choose the right display. According to the article, a 7-inch display is a popular choice for its compact size and high resolution.

A key consideration when designing your custom dash is the type of data you want to display. The article notes that a digital dash can show everything from speed and fuel level to engine temperature and oil pressure.

To make your dash truly custom, you can use a microcontroller like the Arduino or Raspberry Pi to create a bespoke display layout. This allows you to tailor the information displayed to your specific needs and preferences.

To start a DIY custom digital dash project, you'll need to gather a variety of tools and parts. Supplies include soldering tools, wire strippers, crimpers, and basic hand tools for disassembling the dash.

You'll also need a range of electronic components, such as small gauge ribbon wire, protoboard, connector kits, and various resistors, capacitors, and diodes. The project requires a specific set of parts, including an Arduino Nano, 7805 voltage regulator, and 10 kohm resistors.

Planning is also crucial, and the author of this project got lucky by scoring a broken dashboard that matched the one in the car. They planned to modify the existing gauges and add custom digital elements, such as Neopixel dash lights and a voltmeter.

Suggestion: Project Dash

To start any project, you'll need the right supplies. Soldering tools are a must-have, and you'll also need wire strippers for small and medium AWG wire.

Hand tools are also necessary to take apart the dash. A protoboard will be useful for assembling and testing your project.

You'll need small gauge ribbon wire and general wire for connections. A 4-position connector kit with pins and a 3-position connector kit with pins will also come in handy.

A fresh viewpoint: Small Dash Cam

An Arduino Nano and a 7805 voltage regulator are essential components for this project. You'll also need several resistors, including 10 kohm, 22 kohm, and 330 ohm resistors.

Capacitors and diodes are also necessary for this project. You'll need 0.01uf capacitors, a 100v zener diode, 4.7v zener diodes, and a 5.6v zener diode.

Planning is a crucial step in any project, and it's no different when it comes to modifying a dashboard. I got lucky and scored a broken dashboard that matches the one that was in the car, which I plan to modify.

It's essential to assess the condition of the dashboard and its components. The dashboard I got had a broken speedometer, a rough flexible circuit, and a rusty paint-job, making it perfect for modification.

The original plan was to scavenge the working gas gauge from the dashboard in the car, but I was lucky that the gas gauge on the broken unit was still functional. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

The tachometer will use the dead gauge, and I will modify the original speedometer to use the stepper motor. This will require some creative problem-solving and experimentation.

I considered using an OLED screen for the odometer spot, but decided that would be a bit too much. Instead, I'll use a Neopixel to indicate various things, starting with a voltmeter.

This upgrade is a time and labor-intensive process. You'll be disassembling the dash of your car, which can be intimidating if you're not familiar with your car's wiring.

Having a service manual with a wiring diagram is a big help, but it's not essential. In our case, we were able to trace the needed wires by following the leads on the circuit board behind the gauge cluster.

The installation process can take a few days to complete, especially if you're working on it in your spare time like we did. We only worked on the upgrade nights after our real jobs ended.

Be prepared to spend some time learning the new features of your upgraded gauges. The more you use them, the more you'll appreciate the modern features they offer.

Recommended read: Mini Dash Camera for Car

The speedometer build was a fun and challenging part of the DIY custom digital dash project.

The speedometer circuit is essentially the same voltage divider circuit as the tachometer, but with an inductive proximity sensor mounted under the car that pulses as something on the driveshaft passes in front of it.

To calculate the number of steps to display speed, you'll need to know the rear end gear ratio, tire diameter, and degrees per mph on the gauge.

The calculated number of steps is fed to the Switec library, and the motors are updated on the main loop. There's also a filter in place that only updates the motor if the calculated mph value is greater than 6 steps different from a previous update.

To test the sensor and code, the author used a Dremel spinning a metal pinwheel, which reads at least up to full sweep and gives plausible values from the input rpm.

The speedometer gauge took a bit of creativity to mount the stepper, with the author using thin plastic from packaging to screw the stepper to the original gauge where the spring and weights used to sit.

The drive shaft speed sensor is a different animal, and the author has yet to get a robust and reliable mount sorted out.

A unique perspective: Built Right Dash Mount

The tachometer build was a fun part of my DIY custom digital dash project. I started with a dead gauge that I had lying around, which made assembly a breeze.

I used a Switec stepper motor, which I found to be a great choice for this project. Drilling a small hole in the center of the gauge to fit the stepper's shank was the only tricky part of assembly.

Double sticky tape worked well to keep the stepper in place, and I was able to avoid using screws, which would have shown on the face of the gauge. The needle is made from a small piece of packaging plastic that I sprayed day-glow orange.

I added a dab of glue to make a socket for the motor, which allows me to easily take the needle on and off. The result is a firm grip that keeps the needle in place.

I was able to photo the numbers from the speedometer and use a vinyl cutter to create a custom gauge face. It took some careful hands and a few tries to get the numbers exactly where they made sense on the lines of the gauge.

The finished gauge looks great, and the numbers are easy to read. I'm really happy with how it turned out, and I think it's a great addition to my custom digital dash.

A different take: Gauge Dash

Digital Displays are a crucial aspect of a DIY custom digital dash, as they provide the visual interface for your dashboard.

You can use a 4.3-inch or 7-inch display, depending on your preference and the space available in your vehicle.

Related reading: Digital Racing Dash

The display's resolution should be at least 800x480 pixels to ensure clear and crisp visuals.

A resistive touch screen is a good option for a DIY custom digital dash, as it's relatively easy to install and calibrate.

The display's brightness and contrast can be adjusted to suit your driving conditions, making it easier to see the information displayed.

A display with a wide viewing angle will ensure that the information displayed remains clear and visible from any angle.

Expand your knowledge: Race Dash Display

For a Triumph Makeover, you can start by choosing a theme or style that resonates with you, such as a classic, vintage, or modern look.

You can then select a digital gauge cluster that fits your desired aesthetic, like a 3-inch or 4-inch display.

To give your Triumph a cohesive look, consider matching the color scheme of your gauges to your bike's accents, such as the seat, tank, or handlebars.

A stock gauge cluster on a 1970 Chevrolet Nova only monitors the fuel level, leaving out any engine vitals.

The cluster is void of any gauges, meaning the driver would have to wait for an "idiot" light to signal an issue.

A previous owner mounted a set of mechanical gauges under the under-dash-mounted radio using zip ties, which looked bad.

We traced the circuit board to figure which wires for what function needed to be connected to the Dakota Digital control box.

The top connection point on the circuit board is for powering the dash lights, and we used the corresponding wire to connect to the control box.

Phil's gauge upgrade came in the form of Dakota Digital's RTX system, which adds many monitoring features to the car and gets rid of the unsightly gauges.

The RTX series is perfect for those wanting to retain a factory look, as it focuses on retaining a stock appearance while offering many late-model features.

The RTX gauges include a TFT message center that can be configured to display just about any piece of information the driver could need.

The features the RTX gauges offer make it a worthwhile investment at $1,295.00, and it delivers a factory appearance and a lot more features and available upgrades.

If this caught your attention, see: Dash Driver

Triumph has revamped its iconic Bonneville motorcycle with a sleek new design.

The bike now features a more angular and aggressive stance, with a lower seat height and a more compact profile.

The new Bonneville is 15 kg lighter than its predecessor, making it easier to handle and maneuver.

The bike's engine has been upgraded to a 1,200cc parallel-twin, producing 84 horsepower.

This increase in power has improved the bike's acceleration and responsiveness.

The new engine is also more fuel-efficient, with a 20% improvement in fuel economy.

The Triumph Bonneville now features a range of advanced technologies, including a 7-inch touchscreen display and a suite of rider aids.

These features include traction control, ABS, and a cornering ABS system.

The bike's electronics have been designed to work seamlessly with the rider's inputs, providing a more intuitive and engaging riding experience.

Take a look at this: New Dash

As you finalize your DIY custom digital dash project, take a moment to reflect on the progress you've made.

You've likely encountered some gremlins along the way, but with patience and persistence, you'll get everything sorted out.

Consider adding a middle voltage indicator to your dashboard for extra functionality, such as a shift light.

Alternatively, you could repurpose the original dimmer switch to control the brightness or color of your dash lights, adding a new level of customization to your project.