Dolphin Quad Gauges - Not Recommended

[E Z Wiring]

The fix is now in place for the gauges.Radio Shack part number 276-1115 which is a 1/2 watt 470 ohm resistor to put in the yellow wire of the speedometer for the illumination issue

[Clyde65]

Does this also work on the electronic speedo? also what about the other gauges that are dim

[E Z Wiring]

It brings the led brightness of the new one touch speedo to match the others

[Clyde65]

Are the new guages all LED lights? can we order the LEDs to go in where the incandecents are ?

[E Z Wiring]

Leds are readily available at most parts stores in the rubber plug format like the dolphin incandescent style if you chose to put them in to have all the gauges with led brightness

[Clyde65]

OK, I have all Dolphin and all are dim other than the TACH I just got. Do you know which ones will work? Or do I have to take everything apart to make sure I get the right size?

[E Z Wiring]

Ill check for you for sizing.Just to clarify,you want led brightness in your other gauges?

[Clyde65]

Yes sir, thank you!

[E Z Wiring]

Once I get the sizes Ill shoot a reply to this thread

[Houston54]

In my initial post I specified my experience is only with the quad gauges so that is all I can provide my experience on.

The "fix" being touted here by EZ Wire is the same one they proposed to me years back. The "fix" does not increase the lighting of the gauge bucket but instead reduces the brightness of the speedometer bucket so that it is similar to the gauge bucket.

I have no problem with the speedometer light level. I wanted the gauge bucket to be brighter.

It seems the manufacturer is not comprehending the initial problem and skirting the issue.

If they are serious about addressing the issue I would welcome a package in the mail that included a new set of instruments with brighter lighting that is consistent between the two units.

[JointTech]

thanks for the tip. not buying now.

[Clyde65]

Ez are you gonna offer up some info like you said you would?
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[496bb]

looking at these gauges- the quad, but now re-considering. thought i would bump this back up and see if the company wants to respond again- since it seems they dropped off the face of the earth when put to the test to back up what they claim????

[Clyde65]

I have the dolphin gauges and because of the speedo is more lit up than the others. I'm going to Autometer gauges
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[88Lt1wagon]

I have the six gauge set in my '66, I have the electronic speedo and it is a little brighter and whiter than the other gauges, but my bigger problem is that the speedometer is always showing 5-10 mph when I'm not moving, and the tach jumps around a lot even when I'm cruising down the highway. The quality is mediocre as far as I can tell, but I guess I can't expect much better when I got the whole set and the aluminum panel they set in for the price of a speedometer from AutoMeter.

[Indian113]

88lt1wagon,how accurate are the dolphin gauges? I have Equus 8000 gauges in my S10 and for a cheaper gauge seem to work good. I've used my Gps against my speedo and I'm 3 miles fast. I'm gonna keep it that way

[88Lt1wagon]

I think they were accurate until I changed the tires, I need to recalibrate the speedo before I try to measure against it, though. The tach bounces a lot like I said, which doesn't give me a lot of faith in their product.

[Kainedogg]

Glad I foun this thread. Speedhut for me.

[rustygreen47]

Originally Posted by Houston54

If you are considering Dolphin for a set of 5 inch quad gauges you might want to consider my experience. I installed a set last July in my 54 Chevy and noticed on the first night ride the illumination between the two buckets was significantly different with the speedo nice and bright and the gauge bucket very dim. Thinking I had wiring it incorrectly I checked everything and confirmed my grounds. Everything checked out. I contacted the Dolphin Tech line and was informed they were aware of the problem and were working on a new gauge bucket with brighter lighting. I was told to call back in a month and they would swap the unit I had out with a new one. Sounded good to me.

Two months later I called to see if the new buckets were available and was informed they will not be fixing the problem and they suggested I wiring in a resistor to reduce the lighting level of the speedo to match the gauge bucket. This is not an acceptable solution to me. If the problem had been know going into the purchase I would not have selected this product.

I requested they buy back gauges from me or refund my purchase price to which I have not received a reply.

I have attached a pic of the gauges at night. While the gauges can be read it is not as easy as the speedo which is obvious. If you would be happy with this level of lighting or only drive during the day then these might be the instruments for you but to me they are a second rate product which will be included in my next swap meet material.

I bought the Dolphin guages, installed the speedo and the quad along with the EZ Wiring harness, and the temp and oil guages did not work. After 2 tech calls, a new oil sending unit, they still were not working. THEN on 3rd call, tech says, send it back. 2 weeks later, I get new quad guage, install, still not owrking. Tech says again, loosen guage from back braket, I said, it is just sitting in dash, no braket. Now temp guage scew spins when I tried to put nut back on after testing today, now 2nd new temp guage purchase. Tech says to install new plugin supplied with new guage.
This has not been a good experience for me. DOn't know if I will suggest Dolphin guages to anyone else???????

[rustygreen47]

I bought a speedo and a quad from Dolphin a few months ago, had a auto electric company install new EZ wiring harness and DOlphin guages. The Temp and Oil pressure do not work. After 2 calls to DOlphin tech, still not working. On 3rd call he said send them back in. @ weeks later, I get ne quad, install, still not working, then tech says you tightened the bracket too tight, no it is sitting in hole, still not working. Then after taking temp nut off again to test guage, the screw now twists. I have already bought 2nd oil sending unit for same issue now 2nd, temp sewnding unit. Still not working. Then calling tech again, he says to install the new pigtail to clip into back of quad????? WHAT???? Now I got to clip all 6 wires for new pigtail??? This has not been worth saving a few bucks over name brand guages...............