Gauge Question
#2
Planning my come back
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Electricar= required a sensor to operate other than the factory.
mechanical=need to run an actual line (ie. fuel, oil, etc) to the cockpit to work.
to me mechanical gauges are more acurate. Does are the basic gauges to use in the FD but I also use Fuel and Oil pressure to identify problems and monitor the car. and anothe is EGT just to check if your are running rich or lean.
mechanical=need to run an actual line (ie. fuel, oil, etc) to the cockpit to work.
to me mechanical gauges are more acurate. Does are the basic gauges to use in the FD but I also use Fuel and Oil pressure to identify problems and monitor the car. and anothe is EGT just to check if your are running rich or lean.
#3
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Re: Gauge Question
Originally posted by SWAT81
Also which gauges are needed besides the Boost and Water Temp gauges?
Also which gauges are needed besides the Boost and Water Temp gauges?
IMO, as long as you have a boost and aftermarket water temp gauge, you are pretty much set for a while.
#5
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Originally posted by DaedelGT
Mahjik, you're a wealth of information and searching isn't helping me too much. Do you have a site or link for a water temp guage install?
Mahjik, you're a wealth of information and searching isn't helping me too much. Do you have a site or link for a water temp guage install?
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=187766
Someone was asking about the water temp install a few days ago and the thread has a lot of good information. Apparently, the Autometer Water Temp gauge can be installed without any tapping. The only downside is that you probably won't get any readings until the themostat opens up but most people don't care about the temps until after that happens anyways.
#6
Lives on the Forum
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally posted by hondasr4kids
to me mechanical gauges are more acurate. Does are the basic gauges to use in the FD but I also use Fuel and Oil pressure to identify problems and monitor the car. and anothe is EGT just to check if your are running rich or lean.
to me mechanical gauges are more acurate. Does are the basic gauges to use in the FD but I also use Fuel and Oil pressure to identify problems and monitor the car. and anothe is EGT just to check if your are running rich or lean.
Trending Topics
#8
Planning my come back
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by rynberg
Care to explain how a mechanical gauge is more accurate than an electronic gauge?
Care to explain how a mechanical gauge is more accurate than an electronic gauge?
#9
Lives on the Forum
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally posted by hondasr4kids
Well this is just my opinion (not to make a big thing on this I hope everyone respect my opinion), because the gague is reading directly from the source, not from a sensor that has to past current to the gauge. When current travel the current get weaker as it travel, speacialy if the cable is not straight. We know this as resistance. Yes the resistance will not change much but I think if some thing fails the mechanical gauge will let you know quicker or will alert you. The only thing I don't like the mechanical one is for the fact if one of the line brakes. Just what I think.
Well this is just my opinion (not to make a big thing on this I hope everyone respect my opinion), because the gague is reading directly from the source, not from a sensor that has to past current to the gauge. When current travel the current get weaker as it travel, speacialy if the cable is not straight. We know this as resistance. Yes the resistance will not change much but I think if some thing fails the mechanical gauge will let you know quicker or will alert you. The only thing I don't like the mechanical one is for the fact if one of the line brakes. Just what I think.
2) current travels a hell of a lot faster than oil or fuel or air, so I don't see how a mechanical gauge is going to warn you faster. Usually, electronic gauges have more features such as warning lights and peak/hold functions.
3) as you brought up, if a line breaks on a mechanical gauge, it can be very messy and/or dangerous.
I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this point.
Last edited by rynberg; 05-22-03 at 05:25 PM.
#10
Uber Newb.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LSU - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boost is the only mechanical guage that could probably operate faster than it's electrical counterpoint. It will probably be off a little bit because of the elasticity of the hosing, but it will react the fastest
As to the others...
As to the others...
#11
Lives on the Forum
Originally posted by Mahjik
The only downside is that you probably won't get any readings until the themostat opens up but most people don't care about the temps until after that happens anyways.
The only downside is that you probably won't get any readings until the themostat opens up but most people don't care about the temps until after that happens anyways.
If you are going to install a water temp gauge put it behind the thermostat. This means in the block like the stocker or inline with the throttle body coolant which is behind the thermostat.
IMO anything in the filler neck/thermostat housing or radiator hoses is a poor choice. What's the sense in having a gauge to reassure you everything is alright if it could possibly be lying to you?
#12
Planning my come back
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by rynberg
1) the gauges are designed for any signal losses through the sensor wire (very doubtful that is even measurable). Also mechanical gauges are not reading directly from the source either, as they have several feet of tubing from where ever they are reading from. Mechanical tubing can get pinched off and blocked where as electrical wire can be more durable and reliable for this purpose.
2) current travels a hell of a lot faster than oil or fuel or air, so I don't see how a mechanical gauge is going to warn you faster. Usually, electronic gauges have more features such as warning lights and peak/hold functions.
3) as you brought up, if a line breaks on a mechanical gauge, it can be very messy and/or dangerous.
I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this point.
1) the gauges are designed for any signal losses through the sensor wire (very doubtful that is even measurable). Also mechanical gauges are not reading directly from the source either, as they have several feet of tubing from where ever they are reading from. Mechanical tubing can get pinched off and blocked where as electrical wire can be more durable and reliable for this purpose.
2) current travels a hell of a lot faster than oil or fuel or air, so I don't see how a mechanical gauge is going to warn you faster. Usually, electronic gauges have more features such as warning lights and peak/hold functions.
3) as you brought up, if a line breaks on a mechanical gauge, it can be very messy and/or dangerous.
I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this point.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it just me, or shouldn't the coolant temp at the thermostat housing be pretty darn close to the temp of the engine? I mean maybe a slight delay until the hot coolant gets to the thermostat but are we talking about seconds here? I don't know just wondering. Anyway, just seems to me if your car is overheating then the coolant at the thermo housing should be overheating just as much as the engine, therefore you would pull over and try to find the problem.
#14
Lives on the Forum
Originally posted by volley1
Is it just me, or shouldn't the coolant temp at the thermostat housing be pretty darn close to the temp of the engine?
Is it just me, or shouldn't the coolant temp at the thermostat housing be pretty darn close to the temp of the engine?
Originally posted by volley1
Anyway, just seems to me if your car is overheating then the coolant at the thermo housing should be overheating just as much as the engine, therefore you would pull over and try to find the problem.
Anyway, just seems to me if your car is overheating then the coolant at the thermo housing should be overheating just as much as the engine, therefore you would pull over and try to find the problem.
Last edited by DamonB; 05-23-03 at 03:18 PM.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cool, thanks for the info. That makes sense, if the thermostat is stuck shut you're screwed and wouldn't see the temp rise. I am going to get a temp gauge very quickly and install it. Where would you install the sensor if you wanted to keep the stock temp gauge? I just got my fd and need to get this mod done asap. Thanks for the info. I would search, but since we are already talking about it I figured I would ask.
#17
well i have my DEFI in the thermo housing. i picked it cause there was more room there then anywhere else i could find, plus it was super convienent. one thing i notice is that i see no more than 100 degress F until the thermostat opens. after that it jumps fast to operating temps. what i would like to add to go against DAMONB(my opinion and i would like to hear yours on mine) is this...if i were driving more than 5 minutes and my thermostat hasnt opened(temp rising) then i would know that i have a problem. yes i know if i picked a different location i would know faster since the water is that hot already, but saying the housing is a bad spot would be controversial. please let me hear what you have to say. if its good, i just might pick a new spot and put a stop to the temp in the housing.
kris
kris
#18
please find something better than autometer. nothing against their products for a honda or something that isnt as expensive as our cars. just dont know why people get CHEAP stuff. im normally a get what you pay for type of guy but the quality just doesnt seem there to me when it comes to autometer. im sure its good stuff, but there is a lot better
kris
kris
#19
Ok well so far my two gauges which are Boost and Water Temp gauge are both Autometer but I guess those are ok to keep? As for the other gauges I should get which company would you recommand then? I"m also obviously going to go for the electrical gauges rather then the mechanical ones :p
#20
well i should rephrase what i wrote. if it gets the job done so be it. i like how my defi get the job done and look great. im not really an autometer guy. autometer just happens to be the only other company aside from defi that makes their gauges in (what is the term i am looking for...miles not KM, F not C, pounds of boost not BAR). its mostly a preference thing. i just prefer to look nice. its the nicest car ive owned, and i would like to keep anything out that wouldnt kill the looks entirely.
kris
kris
#21
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Originally posted by SWAT81
Ok well so far my two gauges which are Boost and Water Temp gauge are both Autometer but I guess those are ok to keep? As for the other gauges I should get which company would you recommand then? I"m also obviously going to go for the electrical gauges rather then the mechanical ones :p
Ok well so far my two gauges which are Boost and Water Temp gauge are both Autometer but I guess those are ok to keep? As for the other gauges I should get which company would you recommand then? I"m also obviously going to go for the electrical gauges rather then the mechanical ones :p
#22
Lives on the Forum
Originally posted by suprfast
yes i know if i picked a different location i would know faster since the water is that hot already, but saying the housing is a bad spot would be controversial.
yes i know if i picked a different location i would know faster since the water is that hot already, but saying the housing is a bad spot would be controversial.
In addition right now the only failure mode I have would be for the sending unit or its wiring to go bad. If the probe were in the thermostat housing I would have another possible failure mode, the thermostat itself. IMO opinion always eliminate all the failure possiblities you can, especially if it's something you already decided was important.
I don't want to have to involve my brain in making decisions I can avoid. That's the same reason I think the classic fan mod is goofy. Sure it works, but I have to remember to flip this switch this way and that at certain times along with having an extra switch in the interior I don't need. If you just put the Miata thermoswitch in that kicks the fans on sooner all by itself I don't have to sit there and ask myself "Is it time to flip the switch on yet? Has it been on long enough and now it's time to switch it off?" It does its job without any input from me. That's the same thing I want the temp gauge to do.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does anyone have a alternative place to mount the a new temp gauge instead of the thermo housing if you want to keep the stock temp gauge too. I thought I heard of someone installing their new temp gauge sensor in the stock location and relocating the stock sensor to the thermo housing. That way you can keep the functionality of the stock temp gauge while having the new gauge giving you the correct engine temp before the thermostat opens. If anyone has the info on what adapters to use to do this let me know. Thanks.
#24
Lives on the Forum
Originally posted by volley1
Does anyone have a alternative place to mount the a new temp gauge instead of the thermo housing if you want to keep the stock temp gauge too?
Does anyone have a alternative place to mount the a new temp gauge instead of the thermo housing if you want to keep the stock temp gauge too?
#25
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
Originally posted by suprfast
please find something better than autometer. nothing against their products for a honda or something that isnt as expensive as our cars. just dont know why people get CHEAP stuff. im normally a get what you pay for type of guy but the quality just doesnt seem there to me when it comes to autometer. im sure its good stuff, but there is a lot better
kris
please find something better than autometer. nothing against their products for a honda or something that isnt as expensive as our cars. just dont know why people get CHEAP stuff. im normally a get what you pay for type of guy but the quality just doesnt seem there to me when it comes to autometer. im sure its good stuff, but there is a lot better
kris
Also I think in this case I would base the mechanical vs. electrical type on failure. Whichever one makes the most obvious symptoms when it fails (like readings of 0), and the one that is least likely to get out of calibration. The truly scary thought is a gauge that gets inaccurate without any warning signs. I haven't heard of it happening though; maybe some gauge tech experts could elaborate on that thought.