Digi-Panel update

Johnny,

The "standard" Digi Panel uses the OEM pressure sensor; however, Art can and does supply one with a dedicated separate sensor which
can be "T'd" off the OEM sensor on the block.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 11:50 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: Johnny Bridges
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Digi-Panel update

Pressure sensing is a bit of a problem. You can use the stock (unreliable any more) sensor, or you can use a solid state sensor but
must gin up apressure connection - a move fraught with potential peril. Temps are relatively easy by comparison.

--johnny
 
Rob, I'm aware of how it works - I have one installed. The problem is the sensor itself. My first Delco sensor made it 35 years to failure. The
second made it two years to failure, and the third is six months and showing signs of failure. I'm told they fail to vibration which shakes the
resistor element - it's relatively long and now supported only on one end. It comes loose and the wiper doesnt touch it any more. One sure - which
some of the Corvette guys swear by - i8s to remote the sensor with a piece of reinforced flex oil line and blot it to the radiator brace or firewall
or wherever is close and convenient.
TE makes a line of pressure sensors up to 100 PSI which would work but they're expensive (~~40 bux). Additionally, I don't like the tubing you must
connect the pressure line to. It has neither barbs nor a raised ferrule to keep the pressure line from coming off. Additionally, it's a Wheatstone
configuration which gives 0 - 50 mV as pressure increases. Automotive electrics were so noisy in the 70s that shutting them up enough for this to be
tracked will be a serious problem. I have a pressure gauge which uses something somewhat different and a sale price of 14 bux US shipped indicates that
if I can source it, the pressure transducer is cheeeep.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Dakota Digital makes some very nice custom panels. I have one in my GMC courtesy of Jim Bounds at Clasco fashioned from one designed for a '56 Chevy.
One nice feature is that the speed/odometer is adjusted with a potentiometer. So, when changing drives, tires, etc., you can clibrate the speedo
using a GPS and a screwdriver.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm
--
Jack Christensen - K6ROW,
'76 Glenbrook/Clasco - "The Silver Bullet",
Sebastopol, CA
 
Yeah, and if that's the total instrumentation, 600 bux isn't awful. For three or four or five parameters and an alarm, it's a bit much.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
Johnny,

Below is a link to the Digi-Panel order sheet:

http://www.digi-panel.com/pricesheet.htm

Please note that there are three part numbers:

4 Gauge Digi-Panel, Model DP-104 (Standard Unit, Universal in Application) $234.95

4 Gauge Digi-Panel, Model DP-104J (Special Unit for 73 - 79 GMC Motorhomes) $229.95

3 Gauge Digi-Panel, Model DP-103 (No tranny gauge- for autos & light duty applications) $199.50

From what you've noted below you have a p/n DP-104J installed as it uses the OEM pressure sensor.

I have a p/n DP-104 for The Blue Streak which does NOT use the OEM pressure sensor; it came with a separate pressure sensor.

Here's a link to the installation instruction for the Digi-Panel DP-103 & DP-104 units:

http://www.digi-panel.com/installation.htm

Note that the kit includes:
(1) DIGI-PANEL with its wiring harness including temperature sensors.
(1) Mounting bracket.
(1) Oil pressure sender.

The DP-104J for the GMC does not come with the oil pressure sender.

Double Trouble has a DP-104J and I got the bright idea to wire in a separate pressure sensor and it didn't work. I called Art and he
advised that he could convert my DP-104J to a DP-104 and supply the correct pressure sensor.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 2:04 AM
To: gmclist
Cc: Johnny Bridges
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Digi-Panel update

Rob, I'm aware of how it works - I have one installed. The problem is the sensor itself. My first Delco sensor made it 35 years to
failure. The second made it two years to failure, and the third is six months and showing signs of failure. I'm told they fail to
vibration which shakes the resistor element - it's relatively long and now supported only on one end. It comes loose and the wiper
doesnt touch it any more. One sure - which some of the Corvette guys swear by - i8s to remote the sensor with a piece of reinforced
flex oil line and blot it to the radiator brace or firewall or wherever is close and convenient.
TE makes a line of pressure sensors up to 100 PSI which would work but they're expensive (~~40 bux). Additionally, I don't like the
tubing you must connect the pressure line to. It has neither barbs nor a raised ferrule to keep the pressure line from coming off.
Additionally, it's a Wheatstone configuration which gives 0 - 50 mV as pressure increases. Automotive electrics were so noisy in
the 70s that shutting them up enough for this to be tracked will be a serious problem. I have a pressure gauge which uses something somewhat different and a sale price of 14 bux US
shipped indicates that if I can source it, the pressure transducer is cheeeep.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Last edited by a moderator:
rob, got a picture of the sender he supplies? The drawing looks much like the original.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
Johnny,

I"ve had good luck thus far with solid state sensor like these:

http://stores.ebay.com/crownones?_dmd=2&_nkw=pressure+sensor

Ken H.

On Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 9:10 PM, Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> rob, got a picture of the sender he supplies? The drawing looks much like
> the original.
>
> --johnny
> --
> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and
> add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
>
> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my
> dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
What about this substitute for the Digi=Panel?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301690330061?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Follow the link to the web site. It does more than the Digi Panel but does it last? They seem to have quick customer service. I see it uses the same
digital temp sensors from Amazon that someone posted. I am tempted to get a Pro model but have a lot to do first. Hope you guys have it all figured
out by then.
Dave
--
1977 26 foot
 
I just received a call from a GMCer that wants to help me examine the
DigiPanel and possibly incorporate a newer technology.
He is coming over to meet here.
I have put in a call to Art at Digi Devices to schedule a short meeting
soon.
I and numerous people have saved their engine having this devise, so I feel
something like this is worth investing in developing this type of
instrumentation.
I hope we can have an affordable unit that will be reliable.

On Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 7:23 PM, David Shafer
wrote:

> What about this substitute for the Digi=Panel?
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/301690330061?_trksid=p2055119.
> m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
>
> Follow the link to the web site. It does more than the Digi Panel but does
> it last? They seem to have quick customer service. I see it uses the same
> digital temp sensors from Amazon that someone posted. I am tempted to get
> a Pro model but have a lot to do first. Hope you guys have it all figured
> out by then.
> Dave
> --
> 1977 26 foot
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Johnny,

Below you will find a series of emails between Art Woodell and myself re the Digi Panel. For the record I never went ahead and sent
him the Digi-Panel out of Double Trouble.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

************************************************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Mueller
To: digidevicesinc
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 12:40 PM
Subject: GMC Digi Panel

Hi,

I was having electrical problems with my GMC instruments. The fuse that powers them kept blowing. Whenever it blew I lost my Digi
Panel oil pressure indication.

I decided to connect the Digi Panel oil pressure reading to a second and separate OEM sender, however, when I did so it did not
work.

I removed the Digi Panel connection from the second sender and re-connected to the sender that feeds the OEM gage and it worked
again.

Is it technically possible to connect the Digi Panel to a second sender and have it work?

Regards,
Rob

************************************************************************************************************

From: Digi Devices [mailto:digidevicesinc]
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2011 3:16 PM
To: Rob Mueller
Subject: Re: GMC Digi Panel

The standard Digi-Panel comes with its own oil pressure sender. The whole idea of the -J model for the GMC MH's was to eliminate
this requirement (easy installation) since the oil pressure sender on the Olds engine is at the front of the engine.

The one requirement of the GMC setup is that the factory oil pressure gauge must be working since it gets its voltage from across
the factory sender.

The only way to get around this is to convert your -J model to a standard unit. We supply the unit with its own sender. The normal
installation has you remove the factory sender, install a nipple and T, put the factory sender in one side of the T and our sender
in the other side.

If you wish to pursue this, let me know. I'll be out of town starting tomorrow morning through Monday.

Best wishes!
Art Woodell

************************************************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Mueller
To: 'Digi Devices'
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2011 8:38 PM
Subject: RE: GMC Digi Panel

Art,

Thanks for your response.

Can I convert the Digi-Panel myself or do I have to remove it and send it to you.

If I remove it and send it to you what is the charge to modify it and supply the sender.

Regards,
Rob

************************************************************************************************************
From: Digi Devices [mailto:digidevicesinc]
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 1:51 PM
To: Rob Mueller
Subject: Re: GMC Digi Panel

Hi Rob-
 
No, there's no way you could do the conversion yourself without me sending LOTS of directions. LOL So yes, you'd need to remove it
and send it to us.
 
The cost of the conversion is $20.00 which is mostly labor time plus the new oil sender costs $16.89 plus $10.00 S&H. So the total
is $46.89.
 
We don't take credit cards any more, so if you decide to proceed, just enclose a check with the unit made our to "Digi-Devices % Art
Woodell".
 
Art

************************************************************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 11:10 AM
To: gmclist
Cc: Johnny Bridges
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Digi-Panel update

rob, got a picture of the sender he supplies? The drawing looks much like the original.

--johnny
--
 
OK, thanks. He's setting it up for a different sender - which is probably a good idea given the (un) reliability of the available subs for the
opriginal.

And, given the Polish set, the whole thing becomes pretty much moot.

JimK, why don't you contact the Polskis and see if you can't supply the one mentioned above? Set it up with sensors for the GMC and you'd have a
winner. It looks like what's going iin my 26' eventually. Just needs to give F temps and PSI pressures. A trivial matter for the maker.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
> OK, thanks. He's setting it up for a different sender - which is probably a good idea given the (un) reliability of the available subs for the
> opriginal.
>
> And, given the Polish set, the whole thing becomes pretty much moot.
>
> JimK, why don't you contact the Polskis and see if you can't supply the one mentioned above? Set it up with sensors for the GMC and you'd have a
> winner. It looks like what's going iin my 26' eventually. Just needs to give F temps and PSI pressures. A trivial matter for the maker.
>
> --johnny

The website says it already reads MPH, F temps, and PSI. Go to the manufacturer's website:
http://www.reveltronics.com/en/products/universal-trip-computer-utcomp
There is a whole lot more they claim it can do.
--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
Photos - http://jburt.smugmug.com/GMC-Motorhome
Lots of upgrades but lots to do to make it ours.
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers
 
Missed that. Looks as if it's ready to ride. Soon as I get a moment, I'll throw two hunnert and see how it does. Current moment schedule - some
time in 2017 :)

--johnny

--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
The Digi-Panel will work for me for the time being. I'll wait for someone to guinea pig it :roll: before I consider changing. Although the combined
price would still be less than a good set of analogue gauges and give more info.
--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
Photos - http://jburt.smugmug.com/GMC-Motorhome
Lots of upgrades but lots to do to make it ours.
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers
 
I want the alarm function.. my 26' is overrun with gauges. Plus the display is kinda cool. I'm not going to take the DigiPanel out of the for sale
23', the next owner wants it, whomever s/he may be. And it would be a pain anyway. I'll try the Polish one and try to skip the Polski jokes (Had a
kid named Zmayefeski in the Air Farce, he was a fountain of Polish jokes)

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
The Reveltronics unit sure looks great!... but on the other-hand a quick glance at the Digipanel and just seeing green is easier than trying to focus
and read that little display.

The DigiPanel picks up the water temperature externally on the intake manifold. I can see where there could be a delay in the sensor seeing a
temperature rise as compared to a temperature sensor immersed in the coolant. likely the reason JimH's friend didn't get an overtemp warning in time.
--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
Hubler 1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
Were meeting Art W. Tuesday am.to find out more than come back and
figureout if its worth aquiring or develope a updated one that David might
be able to develope.

> I just received a call from a GMCer that wants to help me examine the
> DigiPanel and possibly incorporate a newer technology.
> He is coming over to meet here.
> I have put in a call to Art at Digi Devices to schedule a short meeting
> soon.
> I and numerous people have saved their engine having this devise, so I
> feel something like this is worth investing in developing this type of
> instrumentation.
> I hope we can have an affordable unit that will be reliable.
>
> On Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 7:23 PM, David Shafer

>
>> What about this substitute for the Digi=Panel?
>>
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/301690330061?_trksid=p2055119.m1438
>> .l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
>>
>> Follow the link to the web site. It does more than the Digi Panel but
>> does it last? They seem to have quick customer service. I see it uses the
>> same
>> digital temp sensors from Amazon that someone posted. I am tempted to get
>> a Pro model but have a lot to do first. Hope you guys have it all figured
>> out by then.
>> Dave
>> --
>> 1977 26 foot
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Well, on a loss of coolant, the temp sensor is responding to manifold or block temp, no? Samesame. Actually, the DigiPanel response is about the
same as the gauge in the cluster. The value to me is the alarm.
What might be valuable, and in a microprocessor system fairly easy to iterate, is an alarm which pays attention to rate of change.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
 
Although I am not familiar with the reason for the overheat/destruction (?) of the engine in this case, a sensor immersed in coolant would NOT give any indication until after damage was done if the overheat was a result of an undetected coolant loss!

You don't have to ask me how I know!

I believe I would prefer a sensor that measured actual engine (head?) temperature.

I also believe a VERY loud audible alarm in addition to an amber or red visible alarm would be a good idea.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ Since 30 November '53 ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ Member GMCMI and Classics ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
|[ ]~~~[][ ][]\
"--OO--[]---O-"

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Bruce Hislop
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 15:31
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Digi-Panel update

The Reveltronics unit sure looks great!... but on the other-hand a quick glance at the Digipanel and just seeing green is easier than trying to focus
and read that little display.

The DigiPanel picks up the water temperature externally on the intake manifold. I can see where there could be a delay in the sensor seeing a
temperature rise as compared to a temperature sensor immersed in the coolant. likely the reason JimH's friend didn't get an overtemp warning in time.
--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
 
This is from Digi-Panel's FAQ page re; coolant temp.
"Why doesn't the Digi-Panel measure engine coolant directly?
The number 1 reason is that by measuring at the thermostat housing, what is actually being measured is metal temperature. This normally varies
somewhat around coolant temperature, but if a radiator or heater hose is ruptured, we still sense engine temperature. Coolant sensors cannot sense
without the coolant and the engine is destroyed. Number 2 is that it makes for an easy installation."

Hope this help explain his thinking.
--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
Photos - http://jburt.smugmug.com/GMC-Motorhome
Lots of upgrades but lots to do to make it ours.
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers
 
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