Guages: Mech vs Electric
#1
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Guages: Mech vs Electric
Hi all,
I am beginning to shop around for some guages as I'm tired of guessing approximately what my temps/pressures are.
I'm trying to decide between mechanical and electric, specifically for water temp. Now I plan to go standalone (megasquirt) this summer/fall so I will need an electric water sensor for the ems, do most people use the same sensor for the ems and their guage, or does the ems use an entirely seperate sensor? Is there a response or accuracy difference between mech and elec gauges?
Another thing is degrees of sweep. Currently I have an Autometer mechanical boost guage (full sweep), and I would like to stick with that layout but its not a requirement. Now the electrical guage of the same series an my boost guage is only 90°, which I could probably get used to but I would prefer full sweep.
I am beginning to shop around for some guages as I'm tired of guessing approximately what my temps/pressures are.
I'm trying to decide between mechanical and electric, specifically for water temp. Now I plan to go standalone (megasquirt) this summer/fall so I will need an electric water sensor for the ems, do most people use the same sensor for the ems and their guage, or does the ems use an entirely seperate sensor? Is there a response or accuracy difference between mech and elec gauges?
Another thing is degrees of sweep. Currently I have an Autometer mechanical boost guage (full sweep), and I would like to stick with that layout but its not a requirement. Now the electrical guage of the same series an my boost guage is only 90°, which I could probably get used to but I would prefer full sweep.
#2
not a drifter
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the mechanical autometer coolant temp gauges i've seen have a huge sensor/compression fitting...it is something like an inch wide. i would stick with the 1/8npt electrical sensor. use a different sensor than the ems uses (the gauge should come with one). mount it on the back of your waterpump housing
#5
10 lb. boost, 5lb. bag
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For oil and water temp I prefer the SPA design dual digital readout. For me it's easier to read precisely at a glance, and it has programmable warning lights for each channel. It also only takes up one gauge pod to display both temperatures.
For oil pressure I also prefer an electronic gauge (analog display though), for a few reasons. You can have a warning light, there is one fewer fluid connection to fail and leak oil, and there is no high-pressure oil entering your cockpit area.
For oil pressure I also prefer an electronic gauge (analog display though), for a few reasons. You can have a warning light, there is one fewer fluid connection to fail and leak oil, and there is no high-pressure oil entering your cockpit area.
#6
BDC Motorsports
On my Turbo II, I use mechanical oil pressure and boost. For those two critical gauges (especially the oil pressure one), I'd like to have a no bullcrap reading that can be flubbed with an electric gauge. Plus, if that oil pressure gauge reads zero, then you know it's zero.
B
B
#7
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I'm wondering if I get a mechanical water temp, the water must travel through ~4' of tubing before it reaches the guage which, to me, seems like the temp could change a bit before it reaches the guage.
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#8
Engine, Not Motor
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I'd suggest electrical simply because it is far easier to manage the connections to the gauge. If you go mechanical, you are limited by the tubing or the attached sender. Mechanical oil pressure and fuel pressure gauges must be installed with an isolator to be safe.
There are full sweep electrical gauges available...check AutoMeter's website.
There are full sweep electrical gauges available...check AutoMeter's website.
#9
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I like electronic gauges for everything but boost. I like the quick reaction of a manual boost gauge. Obviously this is counteracted by a quality electronic gauge.
I have a prosport electronic and it reacts too slow for my liking.
I have a prosport electronic and it reacts too slow for my liking.
#10
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I'd suggest electrical simply because it is far easier to manage the connections to the gauge. If you go mechanical, you are limited by the tubing or the attached sender. Mechanical oil pressure and fuel pressure gauges must be installed with an isolator to be safe.
There are full sweep electrical gauges available...check AutoMeter's website.
There are full sweep electrical gauges available...check AutoMeter's website.
#11
10 lb. boost, 5lb. bag
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On my Turbo II, I use mechanical oil pressure and boost. For those two critical gauges (especially the oil pressure one), I'd like to have a no bullcrap reading that can be flubbed with an electric gauge. Plus, if that oil pressure gauge reads zero, then you know it's zero.
B
B
#13
Cake or Death?
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The bulb (the part that's in contact with the coolant) and the line to the gauge are filled with ether (or something that smells just like it).
As the ether expands/contracts it operates the mechanism in the gauge through a diaphragm.
The worst that can happen if the line ruptures is the ether escapes and the gauge stops working...there is no coolant leak to worry about.
#14
Too old for this
That's not how the gauge works.
The bulb (the part that's in contact with the coolant) and the line to the gauge are filled with ether (or something that smells just like it).
As the ether expands/contracts it operates the mechanism in the gauge through a diaphragm.
The worst that can happen if the line ruptures is the ether escapes and the gauge stops working...there is no coolant leak to worry about.
The bulb (the part that's in contact with the coolant) and the line to the gauge are filled with ether (or something that smells just like it).
As the ether expands/contracts it operates the mechanism in the gauge through a diaphragm.
The worst that can happen if the line ruptures is the ether escapes and the gauge stops working...there is no coolant leak to worry about.
I got prosport full sweep electrical gauges. I like them, but for a N/A DD, the accuracy and response time aren't super critical.
#16
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I picked up a Marshall full sweep electric coolant temp gauge from eBay. I'm running mechanical oil pressure, but wanted full sweep electrical for the rest, to simplify cabin routing.
It's sexy and it works awesome, and it was way cheaper than any other full sweep temp electric gauge.
It's sexy and it works awesome, and it was way cheaper than any other full sweep temp electric gauge.
#18
FC guy
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over 20 years of running autometer mechanical gauges in at least a dozen cars I have never had oil in my car. Once I bought a used car that had them and the ferrule on the back of the gauge needed to be changed, it was slightly sweating, so .30 cents repaired that
Never had to change a temp gauge either
Never had to change a temp gauge either
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