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Gauge Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter clintjackson
  • Start date Start date Oct 21, 2011
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clintjackson

New Member
Jun 7, 2011
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Oct 21, 2011
#1
  • Oct 21, 2011
  • #1
As far as oil pressure and water temp gauges, which is better or more accurate, electric or mechanical?
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
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Maryville, Tenn
Oct 22, 2011
#2
  • Oct 22, 2011
  • #2
IMHO, I think electric is better in both cases. Hard lines can vibrate and break. Stainless lines work well, but still require routing away from heat sources, clamping in places and can be expensive. Plastic lines (I think most gauges come with this) are very prone to rubbing and leaking.

Water temp is not a good item to use mechanical. Takes time for the temp to transfer up the tube from the engine to the gauge. Makes for slow reactions on the gauge. It's not like pressure, which is almost instant.

Also, any air in any of the lines will skew the indications.

Not really safe to run any mechanical gauges into the drivers compartment. Especially coolant.

Anyways, that's how I'd go. There's a good reason why very few mechanical gauges are used in aircraft.
 
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clintjackson

New Member
Jun 7, 2011
37
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Oct 23, 2011
#3
  • Oct 23, 2011
  • #3
Thanks for the info. I will go electric.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,068
1,655
194
NJ
Oct 23, 2011
#4
  • Oct 23, 2011
  • #4
I on the other hand prefer mechanical.
For the oil just use a copper feed instead of the factory plastic, it's only a few bucks.
Coolant doesn't go in the tube on a water gauge, although oil does go up for the oil.
I've always used autometer mechanical oil and water gauges, full sweep.
I don't trust sending units.
 

LarsD

Founding Member
Jul 2, 2002
2,680
119
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Texas
Oct 23, 2011
#5
  • Oct 23, 2011
  • #5
If you've ever had your shoes doused in motor oil then you would already have your answer.
 
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