well i'm in the process of buyinga water temp gauage and saw they had to different types. I was wondering what are the good and bads about both and what u prefer? Thanks

 

I prefer electric. Mechanical may be less time consuming to install, but electric seem it would be slightly more accurate instead of a mechanical temp gauge that usually consists of a long copper wire tranfering heat from the engine into the cabin, which by the time it reaches the cabin, heat could radiate from the copper wire and the temp gauge might give a lesser reading. I have also heard them being pretty accurate though. Personally preference I guess.

 

okay so the electric is just one wire or is that the mechanical one?

 

Mechanical is usually 2 wires, if they illuminate, and one long thick copper wire for the temp reading.

Thinking about it, I guess they would both consume about the same amount of time to install.

 

Which is easier to install and do u know anywhere were i could get directions on how to put it on?

 

The hardest part will be finding/preparing a place to put the sensor.
Both types of gauge require one, the difference being what happens from the sensor to the gauge.
An electric gauge will have a wire connecting the two, a mechanical gauge has a tube-typically filled with ether-from bulb to gauge.

Just search the forum...there are lots of discussions about gauge installs.

 

http://fc3spro.com/TECH/MODS/EL/GAUGES/gauges.htm


-Ted

 

Quoted from that page, I would say this to be not fully correct. Since you have the option of getting gauges with different sweeps, I wouldn't say most electric gauges only have 90* sweeps.

 

FAQ.