Temp Gauge Question

Is it ok to run an external temp gauge as well as the temp gauge in the cluster or will it let the smoke out of something? Specifically I'm wondering if you can run both devices from the same wire coming from the temp sending unit.

 

I think ... it depends. If you connect both gauges to the same sender, then you've also connected both gauges to each other. You probably won't damage the gauges, but I'd guess they will not read properly. Why not add a sender for the second gauge? Or add a switch that lets you switch the sender from one gauge to the other?

 

I agree. The sensor varies the resistance proportional to temperature. The resistance seen by the sender will be the resistance of the sensor in parallel with the resistance of the other gauge, not a good recipe for accuracy.

As timgr says, add another sensor.

 

I agree. Not to mention if you are looking for redundancy then two gauges from one sensor will not give you that as the sensor or wiring can fail as well as the gauge.

 

make your second gauge manual type

 

x2

 

If you're running a second gauge, I'm assuming that would be an aftermarket one. They come with their own senders, & typically wouldn,t be compatible with the stock sender anyway.

 

I added an Auto Meter temp gauge and sender that I'm happy with, I just like the idea of the speedo cluster gauge working too. I know it's goofy, it's just me. Do any of you think it would be worthwhile to add an extra sender?

On a side note, the OEM speedo cluster I received from Debella does not appear to have a working regulator in it. I have 12volts and a good ground into the unit, but get no voltage to the buss bar going to the temp gauge. That sounds like the regulator right? He sounded skeptical when I spoke to him on the phone as he said he'd never heard of them having a regulator inside:? I had to e-mail him a link to John Strenk's treatise on gauges and wait for him to call me back. We'll see how this pans out.

Thanks for the help,

 

agree, make second gauge manual. i have a manual in the dash and a manual under the hood.

 

I have another gauge related question. When I use the Delco diagram that is around here somewhere to wire up an alternator idiot light, it shows 1 wire going to the terminal 1 on the alternator and the other connected to the ignition switch. Where it attaches to the ignition switch it is a little confusing to me as to whether the terminal to use is the one that is hot when the ignition switch is in the run position. That is where I have it hooked-up now and the idiot light comes on for just a second when the ignition switch is turned to the off position. Is this correct?

Thanks,

 

Sounds right.
Does the idiot light come on when the key is on but the engine isn't running, then go out as soon as it fires up?

 

The light doesn't come on when the switch is in the run position. One side of the light is hooked-up to the alt excitor wire and the other to a hot when running position. I must not have something right huh?

 

You may want to start a new thread as your into the charge system and listed under temp gauge questions.