Abstract: A method and system for measuring, determining and/or analyzing the cranking RPM of a vehicle is provided. The system measures the voltage of at least a portion of a vehicle's electrical system to determine high and/or low voltage time periods during at least a portion of a starting or cranking cycle. The time between high and/or low voltage points can then be used, along with the number of cylinders in the vehicle, to determine the cranking RPM of the vehicle. The system may include a load module and a control module that are removably coupled to one another in first and second configurations.

Abstract: A vehicle telemetry data dashboard and display system includes display dashboards comprising dashboard objects that may be stored, organized, or accessed as a group, list or tree hierarchy. The dashboard objects may overlap, and have a display state such as visible or hidden, and properties such as shapes, colors, values, etc. The dashboard objects may be rendered on a graphical display device to display vehicle telemetry data obtained from a vehicle data port. Applying vehicle telemetry data to the dashboard objects may cause differing transformations to different properties of the dashboard objects, and transformation of a one property may also cause a transformation of another property.

Abstract: A systematic method and system for testing the charging and starting systems of a vehicle, which requires each individual test to pass before proceeding is provided. In addition, the invention incorporates an improved alternator test that determines whether the alternator belt is slipping using data read using a vehicle data port. Further, the invention provides a battery bank test that correlates the voltage before and after a load is applied to the battery bank to the batteries' conditions. When testing the starter, the oil temperature is read via the vehicle data port, allowing for a determination of whether the current draw is abnormally high.

Abstract: A meter spacer unit includes a dial spacer, a lateral spacer flexibly connected to the dial spacer by a joint, and a rear connecting member flexibly connected to the lateral spacer by a joint. The lateral spacer includes a connection member adapted to connect to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A systematic method and system for testing the charging and starting systems of a vehicle, which requires each individual test to pass before proceeding is provided. In addition, the invention incorporates an improved alternator test that determines whether the alternator belt is slipping using data read using a vehicle data port. Further, the invention provides a battery bank test that correlates the voltage before and after a load is applied to the battery bank to the batteries' conditions. When testing the starter, the oil temperature is read via the vehicle data port, allowing for a determination of whether the current draw is abnormally high.

Abstract: A battery clamp for use with (a) top post terminal connections and (b) batteries with side post terminal connections includes a first and a second jaw handle. The first and second jaw handles each have a handle portion and a clamping portion. The first and second jaw handles are pivotally coupled to each other and are biased with the clamping portions in a closed position. The battery clamp further includes a side post adapter. The side post adapter is coupled to the handle portion of one of the jaw handles. The side post adapter includes a load pad and a volt rod. The load pad has an aperture, through which a portion of the volt rod protrudes.

Abstract: A battery clamp for use with (a) batteries with top post terminal connections and (b) batteries with side post terminal connections includes a first jaw handle and a second jaw handle. The jaw handles each have a handle portion and a clamping portion. The jaw handles are pivotally coupled to each other and are biased with the clamping portions in a closed position. The battery clamp further includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The jaw members have a jaw clamp portion, a jaw pivot portion, and a jaw wire portion. The jaw pivot portion of the first jaw member and the jaw pivot portion of the second jaw member are both pivotally coupled to the jaw handles. The battery clamp further includes a load pad and a volt rod. The load pad has an aperture and is coupled to the first jaw member. The volt rod is coupled to the second jaw member and protrudes through the aperture of the load pad.

Abstract: A battery clamp for use with (a) top post terminal connections and (b) batteries with side post terminal connections includes a first and a second jaw handle. The first and second jaw handles each have a handle portion and a clamping portion. The first and second jaw handles are pivotally coupled to each other and are biased with the clamping portions in a closed position. The battery clamp further includes a side post adapter. The side post adapter is coupled to the handle portion of one of the jaw handles. The side post adapter includes a load pad and a volt rod. The load pad has an aperture, through which a portion of the volt rod protrudes.

Abstract: A battery clamp for use with (a) batteries with top post terminal connections and (b) batteries with side post terminal connections includes a first jaw handle and a second jaw handle. The jaw handles each have a handle portion and a clamping portion. The jaw handles are pivotally coupled to each other and are biased with the clamping portions in a closed position. The battery clamp further includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The jaw members have a jaw clamp portion, a jaw pivot portion, and a jaw wire portion. The jaw pivot portion of the first jaw member and the jaw pivot portion of the second jaw member are both pivotally coupled to the jaw handles. The battery clamp further includes a load pad and a volt rod. The load pad has an aperture and is coupled to the first jaw member. The volt rod is coupled to the second jaw member and protrudes through the aperture of the load pad.

Abstract: A gauge with a light transmitting pointer and a light-transmitting dial plate having a surface with indicia for a variable represented by the dial, at least one light source facing a hub of the pointer and positioned rearwardly from the rear surface of the dial plate for illuminating the dial plate. The light-transmitting pointer is mounted for rotational movement about an axis normal to the dial plate. The pointer hub is concentric with the axis, extending through the dial plate and projecting both forwardly and rearwardly from the plate, and an indicator projecting laterally from the hub across a portion of the front surface of the dial plate. The portion of the hub extending rearwardly of the dial plate is shaped to capture light directly from the light source so that light enters the hub and propagates forwardly through the hub, and then laterally from the hub into the indicator to illuminate the indicator.

Abstract: Digital display type gauge for numerically displaying rapidly changing values, such as vehicle digital display type gauges for numerically displaying engine rotation speed or vehicle speed. Least significant digits of digital display are displayed according to predetermined ranges for rates of change of the respective digit.

Abstract: A tachometer circuit includes a flutter reduction circuit and a tachometer. The tachometer circuit cancels pointer flutter in the tachometer without adversely affecting pointer response.

Abstract: A performance enhancement system incorporating a controller, an engine tachometer and a visual indicator light which illuminates within a predetermined range of engine RPMs and which may be separately mounted as required in the driver's visual focal plane to reduce visual distractions, aiding the driver in optimizing torque transference to the tires of a drag racing vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for testing voltage drops in positive and negative legs of an electrical system and for determining maximal current capacity of the electrical system based on the measured voltage drops. This is accomplished by connecting load leads of a testing unit at a starter or alternator of the electrical system, and connecting voltage leads of the testing unit at a battery of the electrical system. A load of known resistance is applied and a voltage at the load is measured. Voltage drops at the positive and negative legs of the electrical system are determined, based at least in part on the voltage at the load. A maximum current capacity of the electrical system is calculated based on the determined voltage drops.

Abstract: A timing device utilized for determining overall response of a vehicle to initial starting activities. The vehicle is comprised of an engine, a transbrake, a transbrake button and delay box for engaging and disengaging the transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal. The timing device is in an operative relationship with the vehicle and produces electrical signals in response to various events that occur prior to and during a drag race. The timing device calculates an elapsed time between various pairs of the electrical signals produced. The device displays the elapsed times to the driver or user in an alphanumeric format.

Abstract: A gauge with a light-transmitting dial plate having a front surface with indicia for a variable represented by the dial, at least one light source spaced rearwardly from the rear surface of the dial plate for illuminating the dial plate, and a light-transmitting pointer mounted for rotational movement about an axis normal to the dial plate. The pointer has a hub concentric with the axis, extending through the dial plate and projecting both forwardly and rearwardly from the plate, and an indicator projecting laterally from the hub across a portion of the front surface of the dial plate. The portion of the hub extending rearwardly of the dial plate is shaped to capture light directly from the light source so that light enters the hub and propagates forwardly through the hub, and then laterally from the hub into the indicator to illuminate the indicator.

Abstract: A system for determining the operating characteristics of an energy source. The system comprises a controller for generating and shaping a time-varying voltage signal for application to the energy source; a converter for receiving from the energy source a time-varying return voltage signal and for converting the tire-varying return voltage signal into a digital signal. The amplitude of the time-varying return signal contains information representative of the operating characteristics of the energy source. The time-varying return voltage signal is produced in response to the time-varying voltage signal. The controller is responsive to the digital signal and determines the operating characteristics of the energy source. The controller generates display signals, and the display signals are representative of the operating characteristics of the energy source. The system also includes a display for displaying the display signals.