GRAND JUNCTION, Col. — AMETEK Dixson a provider of custom dashboard and instrument displays for heavy trucks and other vehicles – has developed a line of Universal Instrument Panels (UIP) that incorporate its Next Generation Instrument (NGI) system into an off-the-shelf, instrument cluster solution for a wide range of vehicles.

The NGI system consists of a line of fully digital, multiplexed dashboard instruments that provide an alternative to analog gauges found on heavy trucks and other vehicles. The modular system lends itself to both new and retrofit applications and is appropriate for a wide range of vehicles, including off-road construction and agricultural equipment; buses, coaches and RVs; and material-handling and other vehicles.

AMETEK Dixson offers three UIP cluster packages. Each version features a compact design within a high-impact black ABS housing and scratch-resistant clear cover. All contain NGI stepper motors and precision pointer positioning electronics, an input connector, two NGI bus connectors for expansion, light-piped backlighting, 13-telltales and a backlit PRND321 indicator. The two NGI bus connectors allow up to 10 additional NGI gauges to be connected to the cluster using NGI cable assemblies.

The basic UIP contains two 2-inch gauges with red warning LEDs, a 3-inch speedometer, and a 7-digit, multifunction liquid crystal display. The UIP-MC (Message Center) version contains all of the functionality of the basic version, but upgrades the 3-inch speedometer with a 5-inch speedometer, adds a 5-inch tachometer and replaces the 7-inch LC display with a larger, more versatile message center.

The UIP-D (Graphic Display) retains the form and fit of the UIP-MC but upgrades the two-line Message Center with a 128 x 128 pixel graphic display. In addition to the standard odometer, trip odometer, hourmeter, and diagnostic message displays, users can select from any of several virtual gauges as well as a fuel economy indicator with target, current and trip cumulative fuel usage indicators.