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I installed a autometer phantom pyrometer gauge last week...When i shut the ignition off the needle never zero'd out...I contacted autometer... this is what they said...........I thought i had a defective gauge....
A pyrometer will only go to 0 if it is zero degrees outside. It also
does not matter where the pointer lands when shut off. It is an "air
core" meter. Not a spring loaded meter. When you turn the power on and
the truck has cooled overnight, you should see the gauge go to at or
near ambient air temp.
I also installed Phantom gauges a couple of days ago and my Pyro gauge zeros when I turn the truck off. Don't know if that means anything to you but I thought I'd let you know.
The Auto Meter pyro movements are powered by 12 volts, you are supposed to connect the power line to a keyed source from the truck. When you key off the power dies and the gauges goes in limbo, they will land anywhere from 0-400 degres. I have seen them land in lots of different locations. So long as when you key on and it operates as normal you're OK. Most other pyros are fully mechanical and will read whatever the probe sees at all times. Dont' worry you're OK!
when i shut my truck off the gauge lands usually at 15-18...If i tap it it will go down to 100...How do i know this is accurate when it doesn't start at zero...
Other than easier to install (less wiring) no, the accuracy of both is very good. If you want the best go with a Stepper motor gauge liek the Auto Meter C2, Cobalt, Lunar or NV series, they will get you the best accuracy and some pretty fancy lighting too!
this morning it was 46 degrees outside...I looked at my pyro gauge and it read 180 degrees....I can see 50 degrees but not 180...While lightly tapping the gauge it dropped down to 100....
PLEASE read my post, the Auto Meter pyros are 12VOLT powered!!!! NO 12 volt power no accurate reading, what did it do when you turned on the 12 volt power??? Notice your factory gauges don't always start at 0 either.