Water temp sender units
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Your challenged.???..well... I don't know what the 3rd leg is for..??
I've had this thing in my box for 20 yrs and only use 2 of the 3 (soldered leads/clips for easy/quick connection)..I don't build'em.., I just use the stuff Lol! somebody smarter than me has to answer that one. You dont "need" the third leg..it just came that way. But you did get my curiosity up ..so I measured it.
Ground is the center leg (or common position 2),The 1st to center is 0 to 10k ohm, 3rd to center iis just the opposite 10k to 0 ohm. Your potentiometer choice leg configuration may vary, no warranty implicitly implied, see you local dealer for details...Lol!
Your on it,Good Luck!
I've had this thing in my box for 20 yrs and only use 2 of the 3 (soldered leads/clips for easy/quick connection)..I don't build'em.., I just use the stuff Lol! somebody smarter than me has to answer that one. You dont "need" the third leg..it just came that way. But you did get my curiosity up ..so I measured it.
Ground is the center leg (or common position 2),The 1st to center is 0 to 10k ohm, 3rd to center iis just the opposite 10k to 0 ohm. Your potentiometer choice leg configuration may vary, no warranty implicitly implied, see you local dealer for details...Lol!
Your on it,Good Luck!
no warranty
sam
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
so, I picked up a 1k potentiometer, and tested the gauge.. at 75ohms it reads 180,
at 65 ohms its reading 210, and 55 ohms is in the 225 towards buried..
when the engine is hot, and my laser temp gauge says 185, the sender is at 65..
so adding 8-10ohms as adjustment would be the ticket.
at 90 ohms the gauge reads 135 so definitely non-linear.
I'll have to test these other senders I have.
Sam
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Not likely, electric gauges are cheaper (just a recalibrated ohmmeter) easier and more familiar to the average builder. Mechanical gauges are usually used for industrial purposes, and they would need to be mounted directly to the engine, remote mounting would be very complicated. Funny car and dragsters use them where a crew member can read it and signal the driver when the desired temp is reached.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I have a $15 Sunpro mechanical temp gauge on my truck though......Many of the folks who make automotive gauges make mechanical temp gauges.
Maybe I am using the wrong terminology. By mechanical gauge I mean a non electric, long tube with a bulb on the end. Bulb fits into the engne where the electric sender goes as well. Tube runs through the firewall to the gauge that is mounted in the dash or under the dash.
See the lower center paragraph at Autometer:
http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugeop.aspx?sid=72
By the way, I was able to transplant that cheepy Sunpro gauge into the housing that had held the 51 gauge and transplant the face of the original gauge - looks original and works within 3 degrees....$15.
Maybe I am using the wrong terminology. By mechanical gauge I mean a non electric, long tube with a bulb on the end. Bulb fits into the engne where the electric sender goes as well. Tube runs through the firewall to the gauge that is mounted in the dash or under the dash.
See the lower center paragraph at Autometer:
http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugeop.aspx?sid=72
By the way, I was able to transplant that cheepy Sunpro gauge into the housing that had held the 51 gauge and transplant the face of the original gauge - looks original and works within 3 degrees....$15.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 129
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
Not likely, electric gauges are cheaper (just a recalibrated ohmmeter) easier and more familiar to the average builder. Mechanical gauges are usually used for industrial purposes, and they would need to be mounted directly to the engine, remote mounting would be very complicated. Funny car and dragsters use them where a crew member can read it and signal the driver when the desired temp is reached.
Almost all gauge manufactures make a mechanical water temp. In my experience they are much more reliable and are very hassle free. Mercury filled capillary tube or something (do not cut at the dots)! Finding the correct engine fitting adaptor can be challenging sometimes.
Here is a cheapie off e-flea.
mechanical temp gauge.jpg
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
bought a couple 10ohm resistors and a black inline fuse holder (holds glass fuses)..
pinched the spring so it was smaller than the resistor body, and stretched so that it would put pressure on the cap.. soldered inline to the temp sender wire..
works perfect now..
laser temp says 182, gauge says just over 180.. when temp gauge is at next mark (1/2 way between 180 & 225 on gauge, call it 200), and laser temp shows 202.
adjusted fan to come on at 205, goes off at 185.
now to replace restricter with hi flow thermostat.
and to reconnect the tranny cooler to the rad.
Sam
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Westminster,Md
Glad to hear things worked out! You can cross that one off your list of "things I want to do ...but just need the time to do it" list , LoL! Small details like this bring alot of enjoyment and satisfaction..