Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 16:53:06 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Isca
Subject: Temp guages
Hi all
Does anyone know of a decent (and easy) way of making sure that the temperature guage is calibrated to the sender?
Or alternatively, anyone know if it's possible to buy a sender that is already matched to the temp guage in the late dash? If so, any idea of the part number?
A few years ago I tried a complex system to calibrate an aftermarket Smiths guage by using an old bean tin full of water heated with a blow lamp and then adjusted the guage to 100 when boiling point was reached. The engine was run to make sure the voltages from the alternator were taken into account. Not that I don't trust my voltage stabiliser!!
This method although it seemed to work was actually quite long-winded, so I wondered if anyone has tried anything else.
Happy Imping!
Martin Bristow
Exeter, Devon UK
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 19:18:05 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Carsten
Subject: Re: Temp guages
Hi all
I still have 2 sender units here- one old and one new. I mounted a complete smiths set for a mini in my Centaur. The sensor fits nicely, except that it is a bit too deep, so needs to be screwed into it's place CAREFULLY.
If anyone wants the sensors, please write.
Carsten
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 21:11:16 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Dave Edge
Subject: Re: Temp guages
Hi Martin,
Well, I think that I have just found the perfect solution to all problems regarding Temperature gauges, I bought a kit from Maplins to regulate voltages, it cost £8.99 and seems to work to within .05 of a volt variance in output when given 12 to 16 volts input. It comes with a variable pot that gives a range of 4 to 14 volts, moreover it can be installed in the car and adjusted when a desired temperature has been reached. When I have put it in a case and decided that it is working reliably, I shall give details of all the components. It uses two transistors, two capacitors and three resistors(one variable) and runs cold.
Dave
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 08:28:34 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Gary Henderson
Subject: Re: Temp guages
I think you got it right the first time Martin! No real need to run the engine - just do it with the regulator that will be used in real life. Now that technology is seriously on the march, I suppose you could look for an upmarket replacement for the blowlamp...
I can't speak for all versions, but at least one type of Smiths temperature sender included a bimetal switch, presumably to expand the important part of the temperature range on the instrument dial.
Cheers
GaryH
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 12:43:11 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Richard Candler
Subject: Re: Temp guages
If you are confident that your thermostat works (and you know which one you have!), you can use this for callibration - I think you're supposed to use the point at which the thermostat closes rather than where it opens for callibration.
I hope this helps
Rich
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 15:32:55 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Gary and Carol Henderson
Subject: RE: Temp guages
Or a copy of Callendar's Steam Tables, a known-value pressure cap, and a marginal boil would give another data point (about 113 deg C for 7 psi)....
GaryH
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 22:56:53 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Nickcleak@aol.com
Subject: Re: Temp guages
Did this have two terminals ? One for the variable resitance as normal , and the other for the bi metal switch used to control the red overheating light on the dash ( not on Imps but other cars of the late 1970's )
nick ...