ODB based (ultra-=gauges (pre 2007, no ODB2)

[mannebk]

Hi folks,

so I have a worryingly underpopulated dashboard in my 97 Chevy P30

It does have ODB (not ODB2 though).

So before I start making a wire mess for stand alone sensors and then ruin my clean dashboard view, and still don't get what I crave for, I checked for ODB gauges... but they all come for ODB2, even if you search for ODB, and even if you exclude OBD2 expressly.

I only found one display to show ODB(1) values while driving.

https://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/

does any one of you guys have it, and whats your take on that thing?

Or do you have any other recommendations? I personally prefer analog gauges over digital read outs for most applications, caus I can monitor in peripheral vision, for digital numbers i need to focus my eyes away form the road and i consider that dangerous.

(one reason I don't buy newerish cars, I hate all that touch and digital HMI stuff, one needs to be able to operate ones car blindfolded, caus that's what you should do most times, eyes on the road, not inside fiddling with phone and what not)

Thank you.
Manny

[mannebk]

forget this. its not odb1 ots odb2 before CAN bus...

[mannebk]

I found scangauge3 and ultra gauge mx that can do what i want. Confirmed by the awesome AuroraGirl from the gmt400 forum.

Due to online reviews I go with the ultra gauge mx for the smaller screen abd better readability. other forums have confirmed it'll read my transmission stuff and i don't need the 1.4 version, 1.3 is good enough.

for the scangauge3, i don't want color, i don't like the bulky case. and i for sure won't pay way over 4 times the price of an mx 1.3...

ill keep you guys posted on this

[d23haynes57]

I am also a believer in gauges, especially for equipment that is worked hard. Here is my list. Coolant temp usually there for most RV, sometimes oil pressure, real gauge with numbers PSI or Bar. Tachometer.
Engine oil temperature
Transmission oil temperature, in pan or outlet to cooler.
Voltmeter, alternator or chassis battery, ignition switch.
Voltmeter, house batteries to confirm connect status, charging. Ideally shunt type full battery monitoring, located where it can be read from driver's seat.
If turbo, boost gauge, manifold intake air temp, exhaust gas temp.

[mannebk]

stock wise i got

volt, speed and fuel level, water temp, oil pressure....

for the house battery i go with victron smart shunts and the venus os, that reads all the stuff that i want to know about.

what i want to add is oil temp amd pressure for the genset. manual gauges.

all other engine stuff ill get from OBD. there i see if the PCM gets served sensible values and what to go n chase for electric gremlins.

for the fun if it i might add two stand slone temp gauges before and after thr cab heater, and maybe a flow indicator for that circuit. so i know how much heat I'm actually recycling in the RV

[mannebk]

so a short update, ive ordered an ultra MX 1.3 obd.

over at gmt 400 the awesome AuroraGirl is digging up the hex codes for the special stuff on odb according to my PCM numbers.

when its working ill get back with pictures.