[ghpk]

This is not much of a D.I.Y. project as the device used is purchased from ebay.com itself.

Car thermometer, it gives temp. readings for both inside cabin, and the outside temp.

The outside temperature sensor is a coat button like sensor which is connected thru a wire and is using self adhesive tape to stay at plastic area under the front wind-shield.
the wire is driven thru capped hole from where the cables get into passenger cabin from bonnet.

Only D.I.Y. stuff is the backlight adapter integrated into Gear Shift console as I already have auxilary power there to drive and control various L.E.D. in my car.

The Car thermometer is approx 10usd and I had to re-order it via registered post after it got lost in post first time.

At last the package reached me.


the Unit


Unit was working already


came with 1 outside sensor+backlit power adapter+small manual.


Testing


Nice colors


Soldered wires on the adapter pins


closer look on wires when soldered.


Thoroughly Taped to prevent short-circuit.


Its placed on Ash-Tray


A closer Look


The black-wire goes in where it gets the power and a switch.

I need to cleanly hide these wires, which i'll be doing someday.

Before installing the unit i even dumped the outdoor sensor to my refrigerator freezer section, it went upto -10°C the temp. readings are quite accurate as I did many test and compared it with my In-home temp. measurement units.

[MutantX]

@ghpk, good idea dude. Have you monitered the temperature changes with the car A/C on. This should be a more accurate method of testing the thermometer.

[WDM007]

You installed it yourself? Is it user-friendly to install?
Does it require any pre-requisites like lighter or adapter etc?

[mjothi]

Nice DIY. I have been thinking if I should buy this from ebay. Now, seems I should. Thanks for the step by step pics. Certianly helps.

Btw, was the power wires soldered to the 12v inlet directly? or you have another points?

[esteem_lover]

Couldn't you have just cut the cigarette lighter adapter and joined the wires directly to avoid the clutter ?

[aargee]

Guys, just tell me what's the use of checking the cabin temperature & outside temperature? I really couldn't understand the need. I mean, if its cold inside, I switch off the A/C, if not we switch ON. Can someone help me understand pls?

[WDM007]

@ aargee:
This is just an other gadget in the car.
Also to know how cool it is inside due to your AC.
To impress people with cool looking display.

[ghpk]

Thank you friends to show interest in my gadget.

Originally Posted by MutantX

@ghpk, good idea dude. Have you monitered the temperature changes with the car A/C on. This should be a more accurate method of testing the thermometer.

yes the temp. goes to 20°C with A.C. On, thats what i was able to measure on recent short drive.

Originally Posted by WDM007

You installed it yourself? Is it user-friendly to install?
Does it require any pre-requisites like lighter or adapter etc?

yes its very very easy to install, you would need 12v cig. lighter socket else back-light would not work. unit's display and temp. display is powered by a button cell inside the unit itself.
12v supply is only to power the Orange/Blue backlit.

Originally Posted by mjothi

Nice DIY. I have been thinking if I should buy this from ebay. Now, seems I should. Thanks for the step by step pics. Certianly helps.

Btw, was the power wires soldered to the 12v inlet directly? or you have another points?

I've additional 12v power running to gear console so i used it this way.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

Couldn't you have just cut the cigarette lighter adapter and joined the wires directly to avoid the clutter ?

As my car already had wires i used the gear console, one can also do what you have suggested.

Originally Posted by aargee

Guys, just tell me what's the use of checking the cabin temperature & outside temperature? I really couldn't understand the need. I mean, if its cold inside, I switch off the A/C, if not we switch ON. Can someone help me understand pls?

Its just another gadget itch, sometime you need temperature to be quoted when you talk around, or may be just a bling factor as Santro's Dash is Very boring.

Originally Posted by WDM007

@ aargee:
This is just an other gadget in the car.
Also to know how cool it is inside due to your AC.
To impress people with cool looking display.

Very true.

[naveen.raju]

That's a cool device. Really wanted that one. Let me try to source this for my swift. Guess it would look really cool especially with that blue display.
Thanks for sharing the gadget.
Cheers.!

[tanwaramit]

Nice work, though lack of good space for it makes it not so appealing. I liked the clock though.

Does the clock work on cells ?

[bhp_maniac]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

That's a cool device. Really wanted that one. Let me try to source this for my swift. Guess it would look really cool especially with that blue display.
Thanks for sharing the gadget.
Cheers.!

Its a great DIY. Nice gadget to have. My small suggestion will be to cut out those adapter and connect it directly. One question is how it is switched. Is it in sync with the operation of the ignition switch?

@naveen: Bro, I am also looking for such a device for my Swift. It'd be great if we can get a replacement for the stock digital clock. Does the Dzire version fit into?

[deehunk]

I did not like the color of lights on my speedo console, so thought of changing it and opened up the console. I removed the green caps on the bulbs and left it blank. Then something on the display drew my attention, it was the digital clock. The display read 0.00, but it was hidden under the plastic, a P4 connector is required for activating the clock, but the PCB does not have the provision for connecting one as mine is a PS version. Then my brother-in law, activated the clock with a simple technique, he inserted a scissor between two holes on the P4 connector slot and the clock started working. Then I cut open the digital clock slot on the plastic. Now I have a digital clock which is working fine. I will post pictures of this DIY very soon.

[ghpk]

Originally Posted by bhp_maniac

Its a great DIY. Nice gadget to have. My small suggestion will be to cut out those adapter and connect it directly. One question is how it is switched. Is it in sync with the operation of the ignition switch?

@naveen: Bro, I am also looking for such a device for my Swift. It'd be great if we can get a replacement for the stock digital clock. Does the Dzire version fit into?

the clock and temp readings are available 24x7 as it runs off button cells.
the power adaptor is required for back lit only.
As my lighter socket is already having FM modulator, I connected the power adaptor to another power source which comes from ACC. out itself.

check ebay.com there are many sellers with different looks and prices for such car thermometer

Originally Posted by deehunk

I did not like the color of lights on my speedo console, so thought of changing it and opened up the console. I removed the green caps on the bulbs and left it blank. Then something on the display drew my attention, it was the digital clock. The display read 0.00, but it was hidden under the plastic, a P4 connector is required for activating the clock, but the PCB does not have the provision for connecting one as mine is a PS version. Then my brother-in law, activated the clock with a simple technique, he inserted a scissor between two holes on the P4 connector slot and the clock started working. Then I cut open the digital clock slot on the plastic. Now I have a digital clock which is working fine. I will post pictures of this DIY very soon.

Nice discovery do post the pics, it would be certainly a surprise for spark owners.
Also you can get L.E.D.'s to light up your speedometer console to look more happening.

[josejoseph]

@gppk,

please provide info about the batteries required for the power supply of this thermometer unit. I bought an item something like this, but the suppliers did not provide me the batteries.

Thanks,
Jose.

[shyamhegde]

Somehow I missed this DIY post.This is a nice DIY by you, ghpk. I liked it.
So, what's the temperature now!?