Use Gauges or PoweFC to read Boost and Water Temp?
#1
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Use Gauges or PoweFC to read Boost and Water Temp?
I recently installed a PFC, and I've been thinking of getting rid of my boost and water temp gauges and just getting those readings off the PFC commander. I wanted to know what your opinions are about doing that?
I'm concerned about visibility, whether it's to annoying to read off the commander. And also gauge accuracy, idk if the PFC or the gauges would be more accurate. If it's simply better to use regular gauges I'll just keep using them, otherwise I'd like to clean up the interior and just have what's necessary.
I'm concerned about visibility, whether it's to annoying to read off the commander. And also gauge accuracy, idk if the PFC or the gauges would be more accurate. If it's simply better to use regular gauges I'll just keep using them, otherwise I'd like to clean up the interior and just have what's necessary.
#2
Rotary Freak
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I recently installed a PFC, and I've been thinking of getting rid of my boost and water temp gauges and just getting those readings off the PFC commander. I wanted to know what your opinions are about doing that?
I'm concerned about visibility, whether it's to annoying to read off the commander. And also gauge accuracy, idk if the PFC or the gauges would be more accurate. If it's simply better to use regular gauges I'll just keep using them, otherwise I'd like to clean up the interior and just have what's necessary.
I'm concerned about visibility, whether it's to annoying to read off the commander. And also gauge accuracy, idk if the PFC or the gauges would be more accurate. If it's simply better to use regular gauges I'll just keep using them, otherwise I'd like to clean up the interior and just have what's necessary.
-AzEKnightz
#3
rotorhead
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I have deleted all aftermarket gauges on my car except wideband. Set the PFC Commander to monitor in 1 or 2 channel and it will be easier to see. You may also want to look into the new Commander screens which are supposed to be much easier to read.
One thing though: if you have a stock MAP sensor with the stock calibration, the PFC will read boost a little low. The water temperature reading should be fine but the sensors do lose accuracy if they are original and can read too high/too low. A new sensor isn't that expensive.
One thing though: if you have a stock MAP sensor with the stock calibration, the PFC will read boost a little low. The water temperature reading should be fine but the sensors do lose accuracy if they are original and can read too high/too low. A new sensor isn't that expensive.
#4
Urban Combat Vet
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The Commander is a PITA to read most days, impossible when the sun is just right. I keep both those perameters displayed, but mostly for peak values.
The only aftermarket gauges I have are boost and temp and I kept both. Can't imagine deleting them. Readable under all conditions and the analogue is easy for me to glance at. And the boost is also in line of sight of my tach.
If Apex'i ever re-designed the commander display....maybe. But until then I like my gauges.
The only aftermarket gauges I have are boost and temp and I kept both. Can't imagine deleting them. Readable under all conditions and the analogue is easy for me to glance at. And the boost is also in line of sight of my tach.
If Apex'i ever re-designed the commander display....maybe. But until then I like my gauges.
#6
I
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The New commanders look legit, they match the stock 93 dash lights s well, easy to read, and adjust... I just wish they could update the PFC to have a few more modern features... either way, always a good buy....
I use my PFC to watch boost and water temp right now, I want a separate boost boost gauge (soon enough) and few others, but for now, it works...
just make sure the screen is in good line of sight
J.
I use my PFC to watch boost and water temp right now, I want a separate boost boost gauge (soon enough) and few others, but for now, it works...
just make sure the screen is in good line of sight
J.
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It seems as the new commander would be worth the investment if it's going to be the primary display.
So for now I think I'm going to end up removing my water temp gauge but leave the boost gauge. What I want monitored is water temp, boost, and wideband. And I want to mount them on a dash pod. So the AFR gauge is a must, and I guess the other gauge I would use is the boost gauge, and I would read water temp off the PFC.
So for now I think I'm going to end up removing my water temp gauge but leave the boost gauge. What I want monitored is water temp, boost, and wideband. And I want to mount them on a dash pod. So the AFR gauge is a must, and I guess the other gauge I would use is the boost gauge, and I would read water temp off the PFC.
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I'm gonna have to check the differences in readings better. Perhaps like arghx said, if you're still on the original water temp gauge, it could lose it's accuracy and give wrong readings.
#15
I use both the Commander and an aftermarket water temp gauge. The PFC sensor on mine still comes from the rear iron, and the water temp gauge comes from the top rad hose, so you can see the temperature accurately at two distinct points in the system, often up to ~10 degreees C apart, which is helpful diagnosing any problems.
Most importantly, with an analogue gauge you can see at a split second glance not only the approximate reading, but also in which direction its moving (ie climbing suddenly, which is obviously bad). With a numeric readout like the Commander, you have to look, read, let your brain translate the numbers and work out whether they're increasing or decreasing and then let your conscious mind in on the secret. This is why aircraft still use analogue readouts, its the quickest way to assimilate information for the pilot.
Finally, the new Commanders illumination is great, but the old skool LED ones are crap. Any hot sunny day and you just get the "Black Block Of Death" where the whole screen overheats and turns into a huge black square making it really hard to read anything. Since I believe Miami tends towards being a bit warm, maybe worth bearing in mind lol
Most importantly, with an analogue gauge you can see at a split second glance not only the approximate reading, but also in which direction its moving (ie climbing suddenly, which is obviously bad). With a numeric readout like the Commander, you have to look, read, let your brain translate the numbers and work out whether they're increasing or decreasing and then let your conscious mind in on the secret. This is why aircraft still use analogue readouts, its the quickest way to assimilate information for the pilot.
Finally, the new Commanders illumination is great, but the old skool LED ones are crap. Any hot sunny day and you just get the "Black Block Of Death" where the whole screen overheats and turns into a huge black square making it really hard to read anything. Since I believe Miami tends towards being a bit warm, maybe worth bearing in mind lol
#17
rotorhead
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Whether you are using the Commander as a temperature gauge or not, it is important to check and/or replace the water thermosensor on any car. This sensor's reading is used to affect cranking fuel, cold engine idle speed control logic, cold engine fuel enrichment, cold engine ignition retard, cooling fan control, hot engine fuel enrichment, and hot engine ignition retard. If the sensor is off it can have a noticeable effect on driveability and even engine safety, depending on whether it is reading too warm or too cold and how far it is actually off. For example, if it is reading 20C too cold you are going to be wasting fuel during cranking and warmup, and your hot engine ignition retard table will be for the most part ineffective.
#19
Old and In the Way
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Stock Water Temp Gauge Mod
I don't understand why folks don't use the stock water temp gauge with the "lineralization" mod. It works great and you can use the PFC to adjust the pot in the circuit to put the stock gauge needle where you want it at normal operating temp. It also allow you to adjust if your sender is a little high or low.
I have the instructions for the mod (I am not the author). Too big to upload. PM me if you want a copy.
arghx - I don't think that the temp thermosensor you cautioned about is in the Fan Circuit. The fan switch is a seperete sensor that most replace with the one from a S5 second gen. They are both next to each other in the back of the water pump housing.
I have the instructions for the mod (I am not the author). Too big to upload. PM me if you want a copy.
arghx - I don't think that the temp thermosensor you cautioned about is in the Fan Circuit. The fan switch is a seperete sensor that most replace with the one from a S5 second gen. They are both next to each other in the back of the water pump housing.
#20
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#21
rotorhead
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See Dale's thread or my thread: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/why-engine-so-damn-complicated-part-3-cooling-fan-controls-876767/
The ECU's temperature reading is in some ways the most important because it is a factor in calculating fuel, timing, idle control, and fan control.