Modern dashboards. Stepper motors (x27.168)..What from?

[cardiffrob]

I've been finishing my 1930s Austin Seven. Problem is, the mechanical drives to the instruments are troublesome and I've been told that I can use an Arduino to run "...GM stepper motors, part number X27.168..." which I can buy online but I'll need some suitable dial needles.

I was hoping that someone might know which GM vehicles in the UK use these little motors so I can scour the scrapyards for some suitable needles that I can adapt to run these dials electronically.

Thanks, in anticipation.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Rig Pig]

Speak to Speedy cables, I have used them loads of times to sort out instruments for obsolete machines, even refurbishing old tacos with bits missing. Very helpful and knowledgeable.

 

[ratherbewindsurfing]

Try Amazon for the stepper motor they seem to be cheap (£3 or £4).
Whoops
I misread its the needle you are after

 

[bigegg]

Clock hands? And a bit of hot glue/superglue?

 

[Master-of-none]

I was hoping that someone might know which GM vehicles in the UK use these little motors so I can scour the scrapyards for some suitable needles that I can adapt to run these dials electronically.

Basically this means any modern-ish Vauxhall etc that can do a dial test sweep will have stepper motors.
Youtube has examples (search for Vauxhall gauge sweep)
Actually it probably means virtually any car made within the last 15 (possibly longer) years will use stepper motors, so you have a really wide choice.

 

[cardiffrob]

Thanks. It is specifically the X27 that I need to use. I can get 6 new motors for a tenner but I'd need to find 6 needles so it would be just as cheap to find which Vauxhalls used them in their dashboards and get the whole cluster in one. Anyone scrapping a Vaux or know which ones definitely use the X27? It would also be nice to know if ALL the dials are X27 powered so that I can make fuel gauges etc as well.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, I would guess the 27 refers to the sweep angle ie. 270 degrees. So in the breakers yard a quick glance at the dash will give a clue as to which one.

Colin

 

[Luke]

Google brings up the datasheet for the stepper motors, which shows that they have a 1mm diameter shaft, so any needles with a 1mm bore should do the trick.

Link

Seems pretty difficult to buy the pointers on their own.

 

[penfold]

I'd take a look at replacement second hands for clocks, the shafts for them are usually about that thickness.

 

[cardiffrob]

Good thinking, Colin, If the original GM dash range is good enough then it should work. I think they travel quite a bit more, around 300 degrees. I need just a bit beyond 280 degrees for one of my instruments.

Luke. I didn't suss out the diagram until you mentioned it. I thought it was saying 1 degree rather than 1mm. Now that you've mentioned it, it makes sense. Doh!

Penfold. Good suggestion. I'll google them for the right dimensions. I assume they need to be statically balanced to work correctly?