Dan Miller Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 guys is it possible to buy a newer style temp gauge for the spitfire that negates the need for the stand alone voltage regulator of doom? like one with a sensor, that goes to a gauge that just works and can be trusted?? I am determined to have an accurate reading before driving this car again.. one of the guys at work suggested I get a new style one like he has on his Westfield, I like the idea,.... thoughts? sacrilege? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 You can fit what you want, its your car. Temperature gauges are notoriously inaccurate, there is a wide variation in the accuracy of the temp sender itself, as well as the gauge. The only thing you can rely on is the "normal" reading for any given combination of gauge, voltage regulator and temp sender - it will always be the roughly the same. Change any component and you have to find the new "normal" If you are worried about the engine temperature, then get an IR thermometer and mearure the actual temperature of the radiator or engine block. http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/infrared-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-n92fx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Groves Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Fit a solid state voltage stabiliser http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=380747658712&alt=web Gives a constant 10v Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyCrews Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I've fitted a combined water temp/oil pressure gauge as sold by the club shop. The water temp reads low in normal use, 50/60 degrees, but I know if it goes higher then there is trouble brewing. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Miller Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 I bought racing temp strips and put them on, and I watched them go up too high when she sat idling for the first time after the rebuild... it was a hot day but I am still worried about the temp of this thing... hoping the rebuild was not for nothing... however, on the first drive, I want to be able to be sure she is acting OK when under load so was hoping to have a reliable in-car view of things without having to stop every few mins to scan the temp.. (though I have one of them infrared gauges so will take it with me anyway on first drive to MOT to be sure) the club shop one seems awful expensive and no picture - 141 quids... I actually already bought a new oil pressure gauge but never got it fitted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Miller Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 sorry for newbie question... but I for some reason thought it was a 6 volt feed I needed for the gauges... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Most Triumph Fuel and Temperature gauges require a 10V feed. Some early Herald gauges are fed straight from the battery, but they also require a different temperature sender. Dont forget, it's the water temperature you want to measure, which should stabilise at around 90 ish degrees. Bits of the engine can and do get hotter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 The "mechanical" voltage stabiliser is designed to give an AVERAGE of 10V. It does this by switching between full battery voltage and zero. Because the gauges are very slow to react, you see a steady reading, and not one jumping around. When you put a DVM on it, you see the voltage jumping around because the DVM reacts so quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilJ1962 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 I put a combined oil pressure/water temp gauge in my GT6 from Rimmers. The water temp does not require any voltage stabilisation. I have a solid state voltage stabiliser that now only provides a supply to the fuel gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Dan if electrics bug you , search around for a capiliary type,,, no electrics and reliable repeatable readings eg http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?pCode=070.444 and if youre really stuck I have a real long tubed one in the cupboard . as said in the end most l gauges are there to give an 'indication' not exact readings. even with an old stabiliser and the right sender the gauge in the car has worked well enough for 40 years , cool the obsession Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjwman Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I have fitted a dual gauge. Oil pressure and temp. Both capiliary. Used off eBay. Just swapped bezels to leep the black rim . No probs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 If you want the 'mutts nuts' try one of the posh gauges from SPA they are digital come with the sensor but are not cheap, but they are very accurate Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hello All How about one of these? and possibly fit the works inside the old case? Cheap enough to have a play with! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/52mm-Water-Temp-Temperature-Sensor-Gauge-Measure-Meter-For-Car-Motorcycle-Motor-/351181216460?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item51c4081acc or this if you want to look modern??? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-52mm-Digital-Universal-Water-Temp-Temperature-Meter-Gauge-Car-Sensor-Black-/300973463178?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item46136a968a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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