It connects to a neat digital display you adhere to your dash, giving instant real-time temperature:
It has a loud audible alarm that alerts you to a warning temperature (that you pre-set). I found my normal operating temperature on the head at the attachment point I chose was about 70 degrees, so I set 75 degrees for my warning. You can calibrate the gauge’s displayed temperature with the actual water temperature with a cheap food thermometer stuck into your radiator cap, and then adjust your setting to suit. I am happy with just lining it up above my known normal engine running temperature.
A major advantage of this device is that it is fast. You immediately know exactly what’s happening, and if tuned to an appropriate limit, it will tell you. I soon learnt the effects on engine temperature of sitting idly in traffic vs moving along, the effects of coolant, and what losing any water did to the cooling circuit. No more guess work.
These inexpensive little systems (about $120) are made in Australia and are manufactured and sold from Mission Beach, Queensland by Engineguard (www.engineguard.com.au or 1800 72 0018).
They also sell (for about $130) a version that enables connection to your standard oil pressure switch circuit or alternatively as a voltmeter, again detecting out-of-range situations. You can also buy a two-temperature set ($139).
The suppliers are very helpful people, and the supplied instructions are clear. The system (rated at 12 v) works perfectly on 6 volts.
MGA – Mark
It connects to a neat digital display you adhere to your dash, giving instant real-time temperature:
It has a loud audible alarm that alerts you to a warning temperature (that you pre-set). I found my normal operating temperature on the head at the attachment point I chose was about 70 degrees, so I set 75 degrees for my warning. You can calibrate the gauge’s displayed temperature with the actual water temperature with a cheap food thermometer stuck into your radiator cap, and then adjust your setting to suit. I am happy with just lining it up above my known normal engine running temperature.
A major advantage of this device is that it is fast. You immediately know exactly what’s happening, and if tuned to an appropriate limit, it will tell you. I soon learnt the effects on engine temperature of sitting idly in traffic vs moving along, the effects of coolant, and what losing any water did to the cooling circuit. No more guess work.
These inexpensive little systems (about $120) are made in Australia and are manufactured and sold from Mission Beach, Queensland by Engineguard (www.engineguard.com.au or 1800 72 0018).
They also sell (for about $130) a version that enables connection to your standard oil pressure switch circuit or alternatively as a voltmeter, again detecting out-of-range situations. You can also buy a two-temperature set ($139).
The suppliers are very helpful people, and the supplied instructions are clear. The system (rated at 12 v) works perfectly on 6 volts.