ELECTRIC VS. MECHANICAL GAUGES
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ELECTRIC VS. MECHANICAL GAUGES
Posted: July 29 2008 10:45 AM
 
Grant Schibilia (aka grant6s) [ View ] [ grant6s@hotmail.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Washington, New Jersey
(908) 832-6611
 
Are mechanical gauages really more accurate than electric ones? Have had several digital gauge setups and noticed how they fluctuate constantly while the analog ones (both mechanical and electric) seem to maintain a constant reading. Was just curious as to which one would provide a more accurate reading.
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by JAWS  -  07/29/2008 12:18 PM
Grant, I guess the only way to accurately state this is to say that gauges are a reference point. Used to determine a "normal" range of operation.


Take a temp gauge for example. In my friends willys it normally is operating in the 190-210 range on the gauge. We use this for the normal readings to keep tabs on the motor, just like anyone else would. If I notice anything out of the "normal" range then I suspect a problem.


In all actuality the coolant temp at the thermostat housing is only at 180ish degrees during normal operation. The engine has a 180 degree thermostat and at that temp the t-stat is fully open. The sender is in the head above the combustion chamber(sbc).


I have had dakota digital dashes read a volt low on the volt gauge when with my trusty DVOM it reads a volt higher at the battery. I've even checked it in the ignition wire feeding the gauge assembly. Same school of thought here applies. If this gauge ever leaves the "normal" range, then we know something is wrong.


I have had the same variance from one gauge to another, mechanical or electric on the same motor in the same locations. I've used "t's" in oil lines to test different gauges cause I wanted to really see what was going on. LOL, what i found was differences in gauges. So I tried different manufacturers and some the same side by side.


My point is,...................well, use them for what they were intended for, to give you an idea of what "normal" operation of YOUR motor is according to the gauges you chose. If they ever show you something other than "normal" for your motor. Chances there is a problem and they were correct in displaying that to you.


I don't know if I answered your question Grant, kinda just rambled on a tangent.
An electrical headache can make a great car a pain [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boise, Idaho Charter Member since August 2004
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  07/29/2008 02:36 PM
Tangent or not, good info to remember!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by gman0046  -  07/29/2008 08:05 PM
Jaws in right in in the monitoring of gauges looking for something abnormal. Thats why aircraft instruments are designed so that "normal" ranges the needles are in the straight up position so that on a quick visual scan something abnormal would be readily apparent.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  07/30/2008 09:21 PM
Electronic by far.........I have not done mechanical since 1978. Digital gauge problems?....it's called when all else fails read the instructions.......on every page of the instructions in BOLD LETTERS = "Correct grounding is critical".
Jim sez so.
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by hidollartoys  -  07/31/2008 07:43 AM
Guage calibration and allowable variance based on the manufacturing company's stated accuracy range are the reasons that you see differences in guage readings. All guages have an accuracy range where the gauge is the "most" accurate. This is also true for the Transducers (sensors) for electric (electronic) guages. All are most accurate at the middle 20% of the total range. Example , a 210 degree temp guage is most accurate at temps from 94.5 to 115.5 degrees. If you use sensor gauges the same is true for the sensor. In electronic(sensor) guages the guage also has a allowable varience which is just reading the output of the sensor. Generally speaking, price has some impact on this varience but not always. In addition the guages that we buy are calibrated with other guages. These spec guages are also calibrated by other guages. As you move up the calibration chain the allowable variance becomes less and less, thus making for more accurate actual readings. Sensors(transducers) follow the same.


Maybe this helps. follow Jaws recommendation and use your guages for a reference.
hidollartoys [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] gardner, Kansas
 
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