I have two oil temp gauges, one is a dipstick one that reads stupidly high (as tested with hot water and a thermometer) mounted in the centre of the dash, and one is a sump plate one which reads stupidly low (it hardly moves whatever the oil temperature), mounted in the hole to the right of the speedo. I note that a clock was an optional extra for the right hand hole in the instrument cluster, and in anticipation of 'rushing' for ferries when we go to Islay and surrounding islands this summer (I don't wear a watch and getting my phone out is a distraction), I am thinking about sacking the sump plate temp gauge and replacing it with a clock. The cheapest option is only £40 or so, but runs on batteries, I also don't think I can light it up. Also no adjustment at the front, I assume you have to grope around and hope you don't disturb any wiring. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304009939952 The best looking 12v option seems, from the price, to have been made by Rolex - £200 from JK ! While listed as for an E4rly Bay it will also fit mine. https://www.justkampers.com/deluxe-dash-clock-vw-t2-bay-1967-1973.html I'd link to a photo but the board is being mardy about the file type. I also found something similar (not the same, the JK one has 2 screws) at £149 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362941435656 I've also found an original EB VDO one, at a still not inconsiderable £150, but no way of knowing how well it would clean up. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386453880847 The other possibility is described as 'Smiths original style', in plain black, I like it less and it still costs a ruddy fortune. If anyone on here has a real one they don't use, let me know, otherwise what do you think (don't say 'buy a watch' as it's not going to happen - watches annoy me), or have you any experience of any of these?
You could I suppose fit an LM317 voltage regulator to a battery clock, set up to provide 1.5 volts off an unswitched 12 volts. Have you tried swapping over the wires from the two senders to the two badly behaved gauges ?
Hello, there were different versions - early with grey center and chrome ring, later since model year 1976 black like mine. Keep in mind that the original clock is noisy - I use a switch to turn it off at night. The most expensive solution today is probably the rare clock for the underfloor additional heating BA 6 - a 24h programmable time clock as an additional option M557. In the German T2 forum Thomas (nickname Tanjas&Thomas_T2b) build some different setups as combinations of instruments with clock/rev counter/oil pressure/oil temperature at ~ 230-275€ https://forum.bulli.org/viewtopic.php?p=275089#p275089 regards,
Thanks for putting me in the right direction regarding the face colours, worth posting for that alone. I hadn’t thought about them being noisy at night, so that’s an original one out of the running. Maybe the cheapest battery ones are the way to go, they do an all black option which would look right, and wouldn’t be a constant drain on the service battery when the van is laid up. However they come with a suction cup, as you have to yank them out to adjust them or change the battery. The ISP 12v ones are also available in all black, I wonder if they are quiet though, I need to Google a review or two perhaps. I can also see that there is a light fitting.
Even battery ones are noisey, unless your camped next to a motorway, nice quiet campsite, your neighbours will be asking you to turn it down,
At least if I’m on a C&C site at night, I’ll know when it’s 10pm to turn it off to achieve total silence.
I’ve been looking at feedback for the battery operated clock in the first photo, one says it was silent and ‘no more tick tick tick’, so I might get one. Apparently the originals have a mechanical clockwork mechanism wound by electricity. Weird but very German somehow. The downside is that they don’t light up, but it might be doable if you drill a hole and insert the lamp for the oil gauge, however if it’s a plastic body you’d have to rig up a negative return wire too.
I have an original fitted, I was told that it's out of a T3 ( fastback, square back. Notchback) but I made it fit ok. As @MrDavo says, they are mechanical but wound electrically, every now and again they make a noise as the winding takes place.
Does it tick like Big Ben Milky? As long as it doesn't yes, it doesn't have the clockwork winder gubbins on the back that the earlier ones have, so I assume its proper 12v electric movement. Also it has the hole for a bulb holder, and a tag for the -ve return wire. pm me with a price. Failing that I'll pm Marty for his battery one.
It ticks like any original 70s clock with its 12v electric movement, I may have a bulb holder somewhere but easily available. If you want a quiet one go for the battery effort .Price is £150
I've never understood the noise thing. When driving you can hardly notice it. When turning in for the night I'm generally comfortably numb anyway to even hear it. Once asleep it's not a problem. While nodding off I like to count the click it makes every minute, a bit like counting sheep. I don't have it permanently connected all the time just only when on jollies. I have the early one with the grey ring, it looses about a minute every two days which is perfect for long driving. Plus I think they look good.
In all seriousness I am an heavy sleeper but mine drove me mad. Jan Holmsen sent it to me so I passed it in on here when I got shot!
I'll go for Marty's battery one I think, as long as its an all black face, otherwise I'll order the one from the bay of fleas. I'm too stupid to decide if 'profile posts' sends a message or not, Marty, send me a pm with paypal details or whatever, and I'll reply with my address.
