Ok... I have the Defi D-series Boost gauge, and I was resolving some wiring issues I had w/ the gauges today, and I noticed that all the D-series gauges in my car have 3 wires (power, illumination, ground) + 1 sensor line, consistant w/ an electronic gauge. Thus the "opening mode inspires driving" thing Defi talks about (when you turn the ignition, the gauges get power, and the needle goes to the end, then comes back down to 0, kind of like in a Corvette's stock gauges).

The Boost gauge, however, only has two wires coming out (plus the vaccum line), which I'm assuming are illumination and ground. That leads me to believe it's mechanical, although the boost gauge DOES include in the description "Opening Mode inspires driving" AND one shop I asked said the Defi D-series boost gauge is one of the few electronic boost gauges out there. Another shop said it's mechanical, however.

My question is, I think the one that I have is mechanical (only 2 wires + vaccuum line). Is that conclusion correct? And is there an electronic version of the D-series Boost gauge? Does it have the "Opening Mode inspires driving" feature too?

Thanks

 

I have all of the d-series gauges, and It's mechanical. It's also stated as mechanical on their website. I havnt taken them out of the box yet but I remember in the directions to them it said the boost gauge and air/fuel gauge does not perform the self checking function upon start up.

-Alex

 

Alex,

Thanks for the info. I can't find the box, and the RX7 shops that sell them don't clearly mark it as mechanical or electronic. I just checked Defi's website (duh, shoulda done that from the get-go) and you're right... Boost & A/F are mechanical.

Thanks
~Ramy

EDIT: DAMN, I payed THAT MUCH for a mechanical gauge?!

 

Np, and yes they are damn expensive lol. What would be the benefit of having an electronic boost gauge over a mechanical anywho?!

-Alex

Edit: Oh and theres no electronic option for the boost gauge in the D-series.

 

I can't wait to get mine. I'd pay the money for these high quality gauges. I have an autometer and it's way off calibration.

 

Alex, the benefit of an electronic gauge over a mechanical gauge is there is no "dumping of oil," ie the meter can be installed at any angle. You can't install a mechanical boost gauge at any angle, as the needle is held up simply by pressure. All the other Defi D-gauges can be installed at any angle tho, and still be accurate.

 

I don't think I follow you here. Are you saying that if I install my autometer gauge upside down, it won't work? It's not something I wanna try.

Sonny

 

The big benefit with an electronic boost gauge is less plumbing, which can sometimes give faster and more accurate readings. Also, some electronic gauges incorporate a bunch of other cool features, like peak/hold, warning, replay, etc.

I don't think any Japanese gauge makers have mechanical pressure or temp gauges. IMHO these are a REALLY bad idea - you're running a tube filled with either coolant or oil in the cockpit.

Dale

 

Not upside down lol. But say at an angle, so lets say your max boost is 15 psi. Instead of having the 15 psi to the right, you can have it at the top, thus zero wouldn't be linear...it would be at the bottom, etc. Some people change the angle of their gauges to have the threshold value front and center. I've seen Porsche guys do that with their tachs, too, to the 8K rpm mark is on top and centered. You don't need to see when you're doing 1K rpm

 

Don't have defi gauges but do have stepper motor autometers, which are just like japan electronic .. turn on they go to bottom end of scale then re-zero. All elec boost guages need a vacuum signal into a MAP sensor, some are external ...maybe the Defi is internal to the gauge. Main advantage of elec over mech. is peak record and warning settings, running a vacuum/boost line into the compartment is not like hot oil or hot water.

 

On mechanical water temp and oil pressure gauges:

(1) The mechanical oil pressure gauges do have a tube with pressurized oil that runs to the gauge unit.

(2) The non-electrical water temperature gauges use a bulb and capillary tube filled with a liquid that increases its vapor pressure with temperature at the bulb. The read-out is really a pressure gauge calibrated to convert that pressure into a temperature reading. There is no coolant supply to the gauge unit itself.

 

Yep, except the boost and A/F (for the D-series)

Not exactly. Defi's electronic D-series gauges (all except boost) do NOT have peak or warning settings. While the ONLY way to have those settings is w/ an electronic gauge, just because it's electronic doesn't mean it HAS to have those settings, you follow?

 

I know not all electric gauges have those features, but I am saying that to get them you need to go electric.

 

Gotcha. I'm w/ ya there.