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VACUUM FLUORESCENT DIGITAL DASHBOARD
SERIES 3
NOW WITH
SOLID STATE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Please read this before beginning installation or wiring.
IMPORTANT NOTE! This system has an odometer preset option that is only
available for the first 100 miles (160km) of operation. See odometer preset section
for instructions and setup information.
1 MAN 650066:D
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Thank you for purchasing the Vacuum Fluorescent Digital Dashboard from DAKOTA DIGITAL, the leader in custom automotive electronics. Representing the latest electronic dashboard technology for the street rodder, car, and truck enthusiast alike, the digital instrumentation uses state of the art vacuum fluorescent display technology to give the driver up-to-date and accurate information on the operation of his or her vehicle. As used in several production automobiles, vacuum fluorescent dis
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WARNING The vacuum fluorescent displays are made of glass and should be handled with care. MOUNTING UNIVERSAL DISPLAY SYSTEMS WITH SUBPANELS When mounting instrumentation systems mounted to an ABS subpanel, begin by removing the subpanel from the aluminum. Cut an opening in the dash just smaller than the outer dimensions of the aluminum panel. Remove all nuts and washers from the studs on the back side of the panel and insert into the hole. Next, install four washers or clips an
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MOUNTING KITS INTO ORIGINAL DASHES Some kits will include a separate mounting instruction sheet so please see that first for system mounting instructions. Some systems will attach directly to the bezel, and others will mount back into the instrument cans where the factory gauges where mounted. There are three basic system mounting configurations read on to identify your system and how to mount it. It may be necessary to trim or remove some plastic or bezel material depending on the sys
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GAUGE SYSTEM FEATURES Mileage readings • Million mile odometer • Two (A/B) re-settable trip mileage (0-9999.9) • Re-settable service mileage (0-9999) Performance readings • High speed recall. This is reset at power up and can be manually reset. • High rpm recall. This is reset at power up and can be manually reset. • 0-60 mph (0-100kmh) time. • ¼ mile time. • ¼ mile end speed. This is reset when the ¼ mile time restarts. Hour meter • Resettable hours (0-999.9) English/metric c
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MESSAGE DISPLAYS On systems with two message displays, Switch 1(SW1) will toggle between the speed message displays and Switch 2(SW2) will toggle between the tach message displays. On systems with one message display, SW1 will either switch from the tach message to the speed message and then toggle to the next speed message with each press and release. SW2 will switch from the speed message to the tach message and then toggle to the next tach message with each press and release.
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DISPLAY STRIPE RIBBON CABLE AUX. I/O SERIES III VFD CONTROL BOX www.dakotadigital.com techsupport@dakotadigital.com 605-332-6513 CONTROL BOX MOUNTING Once the display panel is in place, mount the control box within reach of the ribbon cable on the display panel (approximately 3 feet). Pick a mounting location that will allow you access to wire all of the inputs on the control box. Double sided tape, hook and loop fasteners, or screws in the two tabs on the case work fine for securing th
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RED WHITE BLACK BLUE or RED BROWN or BLACK RED WHITE BLACK PULSE GENERATOR MOMENTARY SW2 S 1 MOMENTARY W PARKING BRAKE SWITCH ECU/ECM check engine HIGH BEAM output DISPLAY PANEL WIRE 4x4 DAKOTA DIGITAL LEFT TURN transfer case RIGHT TURN GSS UNIT SIGNAL WIRE RIBBON CABLE SIGNAL WIRE switch 1-Wire output BIM CONNECTION Optional ONLY! Glow Plug Relay or Wait to start output DISPLAY Cruise Control STRIPE RIBBON CABLE AUX. I/O Engage Output SERIES III VFD CONTROL BOX www.dakotadigital.
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POWER Connect the POWER terminal to accessory +12V power from the fuse panel or vehicle wiring harness. This terminal should have power when the key is on or in accessory position. In addition to powering the display system, this is also where the voltmeter gauge senses the vehicle electrical system voltage. The supply source should be a fused 5 - 20 amp circuit, the system only draws about 1 amp, so sharing an existing accessory circuit will be generally be fine. Use 18 AWG wire to en
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SPD + This terminal is used to supply power to Dakota Digital speed sensor SEN-01-5. This supplies 5V DC to the sensor and should not be hooked up to anything else. Connect the red wire from the SEN-01-5 to this terminal. If you are using a 1-wire VSS output from a computer or a two wire pulse generator this terminal should be left open. ***DO NOT use this terminal to power any other devices it is a low current +5V output. SPD SND This is where the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) conne
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systems with one message display the speed/performance and rpm/warn messages will use the same display. To enter DEMO mode, press and hold switch 2 while turning the key on. The system will light up and say DAKOTA DIGITAL on the message readouts, release the switch and the system will stay in demo mode until the power is cycled off and back on without the switch held. SW 1 (-) or Speed switch The SW 1 terminal is used for selecting the various speed, distance, and performance display
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WTR – This is the ground reference used for two-wire water temp sensors. This will connect to one of the wires from the Dakota Digital SEN-04-5. The other wire will connect to the WTR SND terminal, and it doesn’t matter which wire goes into either location. OIL + This terminal is used to supply power to Dakota Digital pressure sensor SEN-03-8. This supplies 5V DC to the sensor and should not be connected to anything else. Connect the red wire from the SEN-03-8 to this terminal. *
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FUEL SND The fuel gauge sending unit is not normally supplied because the display system can use the existing fuel sending unit that is already in the tank in many cases. The sending units that are compatible with this system are as follows: GM, Ford, VDO, and Stewart Warner. It is also possible to program in a custom setting for senders that are not pre-programmed into the system. Dakota Digital recommends that you run two wires back to the fuel level sensor to insure proper grounds
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GEAR (1 wire) The GEAR terminal is used for the gear shift indicator. The indicator is built into every system, but will not light up unless a Dakota Digital GSS-1000/2000/5000 gear shift sending unit is connected, telling the system what gear the transmission is in. The gear shift sending unit is not included with the system and must be purchased separately if desired. The GEAR terminal will connect to the FIRST terminal on a GSS-1000 or to the 1-WIRE terminal on a GSS-2000 or GSS-500
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CHECK ENG (-) The check engine terminal is used with fuel injection ECM’s to display engine problems and trouble codes. The CHECK input is activated by a ground signal from the ECM. Whenever the check input is grounded, the system will display “ENGINE” on the message display. This message can be cleared by pressing and holding switch 2. When the ECM is placed into diagnostic mode, trouble codes can be read by counting the flashes. Consult a service manual for the fuel injection system
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Setting up the control box Below is a list of all of the setup menus. You must have SW1 wired to enter setup; descriptions of each menu are below. Pay close attention to Setup Menus and settings as incorrect settings will cause faulty readings on the displays. Main Menu Sub Menu Description____________________ SSSSP PP PEEEEEEEEDDDD SSEENNDDEERR ((nnoorrmmaall,, bbuuss)) Select sensor type SSEENNDDEERR ((nnoorrmmaall,, bbuuss
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SPEEDOMETER SETUP/CALIBRATION There are two main methods for calibrating the speedometer, auto cal and adjust. Auto cal requires that you have one measured mile marked out (1 km for metric). Adjust requires you to follow another vehicle going at a set speed, using a handheld GPS with speedometer function, or timing yourself over a mile to determine your speed. * Dakota Digital recommends you start with the Auto Cal method to get the speedometer close. If you find it’s reading too fast/
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(Auto Cal continued) NOTES: You do not have to drive at a constant speed nor do you have to avoid stopping during Auto Cal. When completed, you do no need to stop, you may, but you can also just press and release SW1 as you pass the 1 mile mark. The message display cannot be used to determine when the mile has been driven, it’s only there as a reference to indicate pulses are coming into the control box. Even if you have an 8000 PPM sensor you may calibrate at 9xxx PPM (for example) due
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Speed Output (OOUUTTPPUUTT) OOUUTTPPUUTT If a speed signal is needed for an ECM or cruise control, the SPD OUT terminal can be used. This terminal can supply a 2000 ppm or 4000 ppm signal. • When “o oo ouuuuttttppppuuuutttt” is displayed, press and hold SW1 until you get “ - ” • Release the switch. The current PPM output will be displayed. • Press and release SW1 to toggle from “ 2222kkkk P PP PP PP PMMMM” to “ 4444kkkk P PP PP PP PMMMM”. • When the desired setting is disp
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Display update setup (UUPPDDAATTEE) UUPPDDAATTEE The display update rate can be adjusted so the reading on the tachometer doesn’t change so quickly. This is a personal preference and is just used to “slow” the reading by averaging. The value can be changed from slow, mid, and fast. • When “UUUUP PP PDDDDAAAATTTTEEEE” is displayed press and hold SW1 until you get “ - ” • Release SW1 and the current update rate will be displayed. • Press and release SW1 to increase the value from “SSSSLO
