electrical gauges?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 893
Likes: 8
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
electrical gauges?
How accurate are electrical aftermarket gauges? what does it take to install these? Which would be easier to install mechanical or electrical? i think the electrical would be easier.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Originally Posted by Mike W
The mechanical ones have a 270 degree sweep so you get finer readings. The electrical ones are easier to install and probably last longer. 
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Watch out for the mechanical oil pressure gauges. Many of them have a thin nylon line that can get abraded and leak. Some of them let go suddenly. Hot oil spraying you is not pleasant (severe burns) and it makes a terrible mess in the interior, at least what's left of it after the crash. If the line breaks outside the cab in the engine compartment you can empty the crankcase and destroy the engine before you notice. Probably one of the reasons the OEMs use electric.
-Just my 2 cents from seeing it happen.
-Just my 2 cents from seeing it happen.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 893
Likes: 8
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Originally Posted by Torque1st
Watch out for the mechanical oil pressure gauges. Many of them have a thin nylon line that can get abraded and leak. Some of them let go suddenly. Hot oil spraying you is not pleasant (severe burns) and it makes a terrible mess in the interior, at least what's left of it after the crash. If the line breaks outside the cab in the engine compartment you can empty the crankcase and destroy the engine before you notice. Probably one of the reasons the OEMs use electric.
-Just my 2 cents from seeing it happen.
-Just my 2 cents from seeing it happen.
i have heard about that happening. what is all involved with installing electrical gauges? and are they pretty accurate?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Missouri
Originally Posted by Torque1st
If the line breaks outside the cab in the engine compartment you can empty the crankcase and destroy the engine before you notice. Probably one of the reasons the OEMs use electric.-Just my 2 cents from seeing it happen.
the engine in my old Jeep J-10 truck started knocking. Found later the line had gotten hot, and a hole had formed in it, in five mmiles almost all my oil had squirted out, ended up having to rebuild the engine, with new crank, 3 new rods, and all the valves gettin' replaced, wasn't cheap, either
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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I know someone who grenaded a $10,000 diesel engine with a cheap mechanical oil pressure guage that way.
To install electrical guages you will need a sender (probably included with the guage but check the fine print), wire, and a source for voltage, lights and ground. You may need to drill a hole in the firewall and use a grommet to protect the wire from shorting
To install electrical guages you will need a sender (probably included with the guage but check the fine print), wire, and a source for voltage, lights and ground. You may need to drill a hole in the firewall and use a grommet to protect the wire from shorting
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Iowa
The oil pressure line on my truck busted under the hood, but I'm **** about watching the gauges, and I saw no oil pressure, pulled over immediately, and found it out. They also sell copper oil pressure lines for a few bucks that seem more durable.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 689
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From: Rodeo, Ca.
That's correct, if the leak is bad enough & you're watching. I installed an electric Autometer trans. temp gauge on my 250, works great. I have friends at the track using the electric oil pressure gauges, haven't heard any problems with them. Saves worrying about line breakage, etc. I've had several mechanical temperature gauges fail, usually breaks at engine, probably from removing, engine pulls, etc.