Which one would you guys recommend and why?

I know that mechanical gauges are supposed to be more effective/accurate. Can someone explain the technicality behind this?

Keep in mind I'm looking for a water temp gauge. I don't trust the one in my CRX anymore - I know that it isn't very calibrated at all, so I'd rather have something that gives me a better idea of how hot my car is running. I don't know how accurate or inaccurate water temp gauges can be.

I've seen mechanical gauges at Pep Boys for $13 by Sunpro, or I can get an Autometer for $60 on Summit. I also saw a electric, digital water temp gauge on Summit for $35. Basically, I want to spend as little as I need to for a gauge that is fairly accurate and durable.

Thanks for the help!

Alex

 

i would go with electrical gauges over mechanical any day buts thats just my personal opinion.
running a mech. gauge means that you will actually have to run a coolant line from your engine to your gauge inside the car. even using a braided line, i still think routing oil and water lines through the firewall and praying that they never spring a leak is just not a good idea when you have the option of installing a sender and running a few wires.

 

Not sure if this is true, but if it is then I highly doubt that the mechanical gauge would be even close to as accurate as the electrical.

 

you already have fuel and coolant lines in your interior. so it's not dangerous.

I like the look of mechanical guages that have full sweep.

 

I believe the autometer mechanical water temp gauge comes with the sensor. so you hook it up to the radiator hose neck on the front of the head. attached to that is just a wire. therefore you will not have any coolant in the car. it will be more accurate than the electrical which you would hook up to the stock ECT. that is if your stock ECT is compatable with the autometer gauge.


[Modified by upstatecrx, 3:55 PM 2/8/2003]

 

the stock ECT is not compatable with the electrical autometer gage, i took them both and tested them. i posted a thread about this a long time ago, here is the link https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=194280

it shows what i did to install the electrical ECT sensor.

if i had to do it all over again i'd go with the mechanical gage. i dont think autometer's electrical gages come in full sweep versions like the mechanical, and full sweep is easier to read i think.


[Modified by Wide Open Throttle, 10:49 PM 2/8/2003]

 

Hello upstatecrx,

Your belief is miss guided, all mechanical gauges have a direct mechanical connection between the gauge and fluid/device/specific to be quantified. If they have a sending unit with an electrical connection between the gauge and the sender they are electrical gauges.



[Modified by DB1-R81, 6:03 PM 2/8/2003]

 

What about the digital gauges by Summit or another brand? They don't need full sweep. Will they be as accurate as a mechanical gauge?

I like the stealth look of them.

Alex

 

Basically the guages now (aside from autometer, higher up the line, HKS/Greddy/Blitz/Omori/Defi) are superbly accurate and reliable, whether they are mechanical or electric. It basically comes down to where you are mounting it at, and if you want to run the associated lines through the firewall. I would recommend getting an old HKS gauge, they have them on their site for around $100. It's more expensive, but more precise, reliable, and will come with everything needed for the install aside from a pod to put it in. Plus you get style points

 

I wish I had $100 to drop on a temp gauge. Like I said, I just want something that will do a better job than the stock water temp gauge and that will be somewhat reliable.

These are what I think I can narrow it down to now:

Summit Digital Temp Gauge: $33



Nordskog Digital Temp Gauge: $50


Autometer Mechanical Ultra-Lite water temp gauge: $58


No difference then between mech. and elec. besides price and how it's hooked up?

Also, what size is the sender unit I will need? I noticed some others, like Dakota Digital, make you buy the sender unit seperate. And where exactly would I put this? Once it's installed, will the stock unit still function?

Thanks again -

Alex


[Modified by Quik89Si, 11:20 PM 2/8/2003]

 

My oil gauge is the only "mechanical" gauge.

I have a line running to the back of the oil gauge to get pressure. When i get off my lazy *** and get the oil temp gauge, it'll be electrical.

Mechanical
Pros:
- Very very accurate (unless you have a boost gauge and have like 30' of hose)

Cons:
- Running the hoses into the dash can be a pain.

Electrical
Pros:
- Wiring up a sensor and running a few wires is a be easier on the peace of mind than the coolant/oil lines

Cons:
- Sometimes finding the right sensor.
- If the sensor ever goes out, you're screwed.


I personally like my electrical gauges. It was easier to install, if I break a wire or have a problem with the gauge, i don't have to worry about oil/coolant spilling everywhere.

Plus, some racing sanctions don't allow fluid pressure mechanical gauges (Honda-Challenge being one of them).

Go with the eletrical temp gauge. Get the autometer and enjoy. The digital gauges are sometimes a PITA to read.

 

Thank you, very very much. Very helpful. The autometer gauge in the pic is actually mechanical, but I was also looking at the electric version(like the one you've got). I'll probably go with that, since it comes with the sender and some adapters.


Thanks again!!

Alex

 

Driven what diameter is that tach, thanks. i'm planning on doing that.

 

I wanna say 2 1/16. It's the smallest diameter i could get... I HATE big *** gauges.

 

If the tach is the same size as the other gauges that you have in the center console, then it's 2 1/16", but my guess is that it's 3 3/8". I don't think they make tachs any smaller, but that's small enough - if they were smaller they'd be really hard to read.

*EDIT* I took a look at Driven's web site - they must be 3 3/8". The ones in the center console are definitely smaller. Check this pic (hope Kam doesn't mind if I borrow, this is from his website in his sig...)



Smallest one I found:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=3442

Alex


[Modified by Quik89Si, 11:46 AM 2/9/2003]