anyone played with boxster gauge cluster? Options

[skeates]

Hey guys - I'm not sure if this is a subject that has been beaten to death before (I certainly wasn't able to find any threads on it), but has anyone here ever attempted to make use of the boxster or cousin 996 gauge clusters in a conversion? I was able to find a pin-out diagram for the boxster cluster which makes it look doable. Just curious if there was any fancy shmancy communications between the cluster and the ECU that would need to be worked around?

[timothy_nd28]

No, the voltages do not oscillate as in a motor, but rather each coil generates a magnetic field, and being at 90 degrees of each other, generate a magnetic field at an angle of atan(I coil1/I coil2). So you can achieve deflection of +/-45 degrees with a current level from 0 to max in coil1 (simultaneously changing current in coil2 from max to 0). There is a bar magnet on the needle which aligns with this field, causing the needle to move.

Try to solder wires on the motor pins and re-assemble to run the test and take measurements.

[skeates]

While I dig the scholastic effort in figuring out the step frequency and such, I must wonder if the modification of a stock 914 fuel gauge into the panel would not be loads simpler as you can then use the stock sender, and tank, and..... However, I in no way wish to dissuade you from the path you have chosen as it is very interesting (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks for the suggestions! I do happen to have my old fuel gauge hanging out in the garage. I've just hesitated to take it apart since it's a perfectly functional stock gauge that someone might want. If my own attempts to build this circuit fail, I'll likely use that as my fall back.

No, the voltages do not oscillate as in a motor, but rather each coil generates a magnetic field, and being at 90 degrees of each other, generate a magnetic field at an angle of atan(I coil1/I coil2). So you can achieve deflection of +/-45 degrees with a current level from 0 to max in coil1 (simultaneously changing current in coil2 from max to 0). There is a bar magnet on the needle which aligns with this field, causing the needle to move.

Try to solder wires on the motor pins and re-assemble to run the test and take measurements.

Interesting. I'll see what I can do about getting some wires soldered on. We just moved and I no longer have a 240V outlet for my soldering iron (was "junk" being thrown away from an INTEL factory overseas). It's perfect for this stuff, but I need to get a power supply or install an outlet for it. In the mean time it looks like I have some reading up to do on driving air-core motors. Thanks for the link!

Should have some progress to report later tonight!