LANCASTER, PA, October, 1996. Datcon Instrument Company has unveiled a universal 12/24 volt instrument cluster designed to provide a compact, rugged and sealed package for monitoring engines and vehicles. This product offers a high degree of flexibility in user customization without the long lead times and expenses normally associated with custom versions. Several models are available, most of which include either an analog style speedometer with digital odometer or tachometer with quartz hourmeter, either two, three or four gauges, and up to 18 indicator lights which can be configured in a variety of lamp colors and standard or custom symbols. Other versions include an LCD type speedometer/tachometer or multiple function type wherein the speedometer and tachometer share the same electronics and can be easily switched from one mode to the other.

Typical instruments include a fuel level gauge, engine water temperature gauge, transmission oil temperature gauge or an engine oil pressure gauge. Gauges feature back-lighted translucent dials that can be customized or privately labeled, if desired. Speedometers and tachometers provide a return-to-zero feature. Optional "smart" low fuel/high water temperature warning lights are available. These lights are located in the gauges.

The rectangular-shaped cluster is 9.7" long by 5.4" high. It requires a panel opening of 9.3" by 5.0", and 2.3" of clearance from the rear of the instrument panel (excluding the connectors). Less than 0.6" of clearance is required on the front side of the instrument panel. The whole unit easily "plugs" into most instrument panels and, because of its compact size, it packs a lot of function into a relatively small area. The cluster uses a female Burndy connector type UHRP700, although other connectors may be specified.

The cluster is waterproof and dustproof in accordance with DIN 40050 standards, and the front and rear are sealed to IP 65 and IP 50, respectively. The unit may be upgraded to meet IP 67 requirements for more demanding applications. The cluster provides a 0.12"-thick glass front. It is protected against polarity reversals and it meets the load dump and field decay requirements of ISO 7632.

Operating voltage ranges from 11-16 VDC or 22-33 VDC. Clusters operate reliably in a temperature range of -25° to 65°C. Rated storage temperature is -30° to 65°C and up to 85°C for one hour. Speedometer and tachometer accuracy is nominally rated at +/- 3%, while gauge accuracy is typically in the range of +/- 3.5% over the working range of the instrument. The hourmeter/odometer accuracy is rated at +/- 1%.

The cluster is ideal for large and small O.E.M.s alike, particularly when panel space is limited and/or the O.E.M. seeks to minimize investment costs and/or the cost to install individual round instruments and warning lights in a conventional panel. As such, installed system costs may be reduced. Moreover, units may be highly styled or customized, thus achieving a high "value ratio" for the end-user (i.e. function/cost).

Units can be productionized in just 6-7 weeks compared to 6-9 months for a custom cluster. Customers may simply provide or identify their artwork requirements, if any, and specify connector type. The cluster is compatible with virtually any combination of senders, signals and matches. Provisions are also underway to make the unit work with various data-bus protocols and Datcon's DatLink^TM system.

Datcon is a technology-driven, full-service supplier of vehicle instrumentation and related systems including gauges, meters and matching sensors, as well as instrument clusters and accessories. We are a vertically integrated, multi-national company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where we manufacture and assemble products for North America and other countries.

"Datcon", an acronym for "Dimensional And Time CONtrol", traces its roots to the original Hamilton Watch Company and, as such, we have a long history of providing high quality, high performance products to our valued customers.

Contact: sales@datcon.com