Touchscreen mod fer the Ultragauge...

[BamZipPow]

Is anyone here using that mod?

I'm currently playing around with it using some Velcro attached to the middle of the UG and some Lexan to activate the buttons with. I picked up a Tetrax FIX universal magnetic mounting system to replace the Velcro with once I build my custom mount. Since the mount is magnetic, you can easily remove the UG and store it out of sight in seconds.

Fer those who don't know what the touchscreen mod is...it's setup so you just push the appropriate corner of the screen to activate the buttons on the back instead of pinching the UG to activate the buttons. Seems to make it much easier to work with.

Hmmm...it seems that I've been banned from the UG forums. Not sure why at this point.

[SentraSE-R]

? Early April Fools day joke? Link?

[FXSTi]

Darrel.
I think he is putting the UG against a flat surface and pushing on the case to activate the buttons.

[BamZipPow]

Not an April Fool's joke...

Something like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWZ7V...layer_embedded

[BamZipPow]

All done with my touchscreen mod... I ended up using the one of the pieces from the Tetrax packaging to secure the Tetrax into the Lexan. This makes the link between the mount and the UG a little weaker but it allows the UG to pivot just enough to activate the buttons. Total cost was just under $20. I reused the wire hangar as a level adjuster/holder fer the UG. Didn't want to hit any big bumps and see the UG rotate or pop off the mount. To remove the UG from sight, I just lift, separate, and tuck.

[BamZipPow]

Since my first touch pad mod prototype seems to be holding up, I decided to make the mod replicable.

Okay...here are some measurements:

Button spacing:
width = 1 15/16" x height = 1 5/16"

Minimum backing dimensions (w x h): 2 1/2" x 1 5/8"
Maximum backing dimensions (w x h): 3 5/8" x 2"

I went with a backing dimension of 3" x 2". I cut 2 pieces from some scrap Lexan. I'm using 2 pieces so the Tetrax Fix magnetic base will fit. I used a 1/2" hole to fit the magnetic base on my prototype.

Currently working on designing the backing plate to mountable on the factory windshield mount. The mounting plate will have enough space between it and the touchpad mod plate so the cleat will clear the back of the touchpad mod plate. I'll still be mounting mine to the dash instead of the windshield mount though.

[BamZipPow]

This is the measurement of the cleat opening:

Box width 5/16"
Box height 9/16"

Slot width 3/32"
Slot height 7/16"

Total length 1"

The thickness of the Lexan is a perfect fit! Not sure what the thickness is though...

I think I'm gonna make the cleat mount 1" wide by 1 3/4" tall. Same fer the Tetrax Fix shims. Should be able to keep the "thickness" of the touchpad to just one 3"x2" sheet and the rest will be the shims (2 fer the Tetrax and 1 fer the mount) and the mount. This comes out to about 9/16" thick. Not too shabby.

I should be able to bond the Lexan together with some Methyl Ethyl Ketone, IPS Weld-on #4, or PVC cement. I think I will stick with the PVC cement as I already have that on hand.

[RedDevil]

Not a touchscreen mod, but maybe useful anyway:
I got the UltraGauge with a mounting clip and not much else.
At first I stuck it on the dash with double sided sticky tape, but that did not last this summer.
It really bugged me as I could not operate the buttons without taking it from the clip ever worrying that might dislodge that clip...
Finally the clip kept dropping even without manual stimulation. (ow, that sounds bad )

So I took a plastic pipe end and a thin long screw and did this:


I now have a tiny hole in my dash. Oh well.
Cleaned most of the sticky goo off with a drop of gas on a paper towel but some around the edges remains.
The ring gives enough clearance to finger round the back and press the menu, up and down buttons.

Seen from more or less drivers eye:

[BamZipPow]

You'll need to be careful with that clip as mine broke less than a year after I got my first UG.

[deejaaa]

i bent some copper wire, soldered a cross brace, covered the ends with shrink tubing, bent wire to hold gauge. it rests on the a/c vent.