Unusual parts

Posted on August 4th, 2008 in Opinion by Julian Edgar

If you are building your own car, the cheapest source of automotive parts will be found at the wrecker. That statement applies to all components – everything from suspension to engine to instruments.

But if you don’t want your car to look like other cars – not even in the tiniest bits – there are other sources of components you can look at.

BEP Marine is a New Zealand company that specialises in switchgear for boats. However, some of the company’s products are so stylish they could easily find themselves at home on the dashboard of a one-off car.

Most impressive are their sprayproof Contour Generation 2 panels, comprising assemblies of two, four or six switches. The labels are backlit and the unusual design allows the switch panels to be mounted vertically or horizontally while still remaining legible.

Under the flexible membrane are mounted 16 amp rocker switches – even without relays, plenty of direct current handling capability. The switches can be momentary or on/on, as well as the more usual on/off. Some of the panels also incorporate fusing.

The available labels are directed towards marine applications but I think an enquiry to the company would prompt the development of automotive labels.

Another non-car potential source of parts are those used in commercial and earthmoving equipment. VDO manufactures a really good looking instrument panel called the Centrobase 500. It comprises a mixture of analog and digital gauges, works off 12 or 24V, and has two frequency, three resistive and one pulse-width modulated inputs. It also has the normal warning lights and indicators.

Because it’s designed for small production runs, the panel can be easily software programmed for individual applications. Apparently the scales and markings can also be customised, although this is presumably only during manufacture.

Incidentally, Continental VDO also has a range of really interesting components normally used for off-road and commercial vehicle applications. These include sensors for turbo speed, NOx, torque and oil level. The company also has off-the-shelf electronic throttle pedals,  matching electronic interfaces and electronic throttle butterfly assemblies.

The company’s ‘Versatile solutions for special applications’ brochure (what a Godawful title!) has details on the dashboards and sensors.

One Response to 'Unusual parts'

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  1. Martin said,

    on August 4th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

    looking forward to seeing your custom made car Julian, you’ve only got ten years or so worth of your own material to refer to when building! (ps: i just bought a March Superturbo, what a great car!)