Wasting time, Clock and gauge calibration stuff - sorta OT Options

[Superhawk996]

Laid up . . . Again. So doing little tasks that can be done in small bites of time.

One of these projects was to see if I could get an early VDO mechanical movement clock working again. It will eventually need a full rehab to repaint it, and to fix the cracked gauge face.

But before even contemplating that work, it’s useful to see if the movement still works. No point in cosmetics if the thing doesn’t work.

So what did it take to get it working?

1) resolder the internal low temp solder “fuse”
2) cleaned old oil and dust gunk with denatured alcohol.
3) lubricated the pivots of the movement with a tiny drip of watch makers oil.

Success. Movement works and keeps time.

Here’s a little time lapse video of the movement and the winder working

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBtOB2sAbOU?is=SwPxV8_ONXBQdB_z


A few weeks back we had the thread on the VDO CHT temp gauge and verifying that it uses a J-type thermocouple.

www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=378667

I have a Made in USA Simpson Electric temperature gauge that also needed to be checked out & calibrated. This one also uses the J-type thermocouple. Not 914 related but I still think it’s a cool gauge and have plans for this on a motorcycle project.

Beyond the stempunk vibe of this temp gauge, it has a cool calibration screw that allows the gauge to be calibrated so that the cold junction compensation is sort of taken care of. The main limitation being that it’s all mechanical & analog so if the temperature of the gauge is changing (like it would in a vehicle cabin) it will never be 100% accurate. However it does do a good job of letting you dial in a 30-40 degree offset to account for the difference between the standard cold junction temp (32F) and ambient temp of 70F (ish).



Next up: will get back to working on the seat belt interlock relay project in a few days.

[Superhawk996]

Here’s another fun one. Checking calibration of a used reproduction oil pressure gauge.

Bottom line: not very accurate and the gauge itself has a lot of sticktion that keeps it from registering properly.

Disclaimer: I don’t know the history on this used gauge and was interested primarily for the 60mm housing.

This will likely get a VDO movement put into the 60mm housing.

Setup:
Regulated air pressure to a 5 bar VDO sender
Monitor pressure to sender with a digital gauge
Oil pressure gauge powered off a 12v battery.

[Superhawk996]

Video of sticktion at full scale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbFNmbmejV0?is=XUQEjrSQNxGljetc

[Shivers]

Hope you feel better soon

[Superhawk996]

Hope you feel better soon

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) nothing serious. I’m just not good at “resting”

[914Sixer]

Phil,
I have lots of 60mm factory gauge housings. Freebie if you need one.

[FlacaProductions]

I love the mechanical Kienzle clocks. I have one in both the 914 and the 67 911. The CLUNK they make every minute or so is great.

[Superhawk996]

I love the mechanical Kienzle clocks. I have one in both the 914 and the 67 911. The CLUNK they make every minute or so is great.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

The mechanical complexity of these movements is mind boggling, then consider that they were mass produced and affordable.

Sure they aren’t a Rolex, but looking at one is like looking into a snapshot of time and realizing how much capability we’ve lost in manufacturing mechanical devices.

[Superhawk996]

Phil,
I have lots of 60mm factory gauge housings. Freebie if you need one.

Thanks Mark. Appreciate the offer. I probably still need another 60mm to do the SAAB fuel gauge conversion that I bought from you forever ago.

Next time I do a purchase from you I may hit you up to throw one in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[dtmehall]

Superhawk996

do you have an idea how accurate the VDO oil pressure gauge is?