Gauge Question

[brunowren]

None of gauges on my boat work but thats another story.. <br /><br />I bought a new auto water temp gauge and installed it back near the motor (with new sensor) their where no wire to hook up on the gauge but the sensor wire, unless you want it light up.. I can run the boat all day and the guage never registers.... (lowest temp on it is 130 but I never see it even move)<br /><br />does this mechanical gauge need to be grounded? The directions said nothing about a ground except for the light bulb.

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Gauge Question

there is a good chance your water temp. may never get any higher than 130 deg. unless your impeller starts going south. My boat engine temp stays about 140. Did you try grounding the gauge to see if the temp reading changes?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gauge Question

Auto engines run at 195 to 200 degrees. Marine engines run much colder than that 130 give or take a little). You say there is only one "wire" yet you say its a "mechanical" gauge. If this gauge uses a capilary tube (the sensor is permanently attached to the tube which is in turn attached to the gauge) then no, the gauge does not have to be grounded. If the sensor indeed has an electric wire attached to it, it is an "electrical" gauge. That gauge needs 12 volts, ground, and the sensor you have must be for an electrical gauge, not an idiot light.

 

[brunowren]

Re: Gauge Question

No the gauge has the sending unit wire attached with the copper tube that went into the engine! So it sounds like no ground is needed! Must just be running cool! I guess thats a good thing...<br /><br />Someone said maybe the last owner took out the Tstat so water is flowing constant and it wont get up to 130 at all.. But I have not checked that out yet

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Gauge Question

Actually you have a ground. 12V is supplied to gauge, then from the gauge it goes to the sensor. As the sensor heats up it provides more of a ground and the needle will move up. An idiot light works in the same manner.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Gauge Question

If you have a copper tube for a sender, you have a capillary type mechanical guage. 12v is only required to run the light, the gauge itself does not require power.<br /><br />Two things stop the guage from working - a broken tube or a kinked tube.