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Kevin,
I used Autometer mechanical gauges for oil temp,
oil pressure, and coolant temp. I installed them partly because I didn’t
entirely trust my engine monitor manufacturer to deliver (since gone out of
business) and partly to monitor effectiveness of the cooling system (they are
mounted in different locations from the sensors for my monitor so I can measure
delta temps across the coolers). I've used Autometers for 30+ years in a variety
of cars and have never had a problem with one. The temp gauges require a little
car with the capillary tube. I wouldn’t use the cheesy nylon line for the
pressure gauge. Our local Earl's plumbing supplier provided a teflon lined -3
hose for that and I have no concerns about a hose tested to 1000psi
failing.
One advantage I didn’t see mentioned. Electric
gauges typically have a meter movement with a sweep of 90 - 120 degrees where a
mechanical has a sweep of 270 degrees. This provides much better resolution and
an easier visual scan in an airplane cockpit.
Mike Wills
RV-4 N144MW
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 8:41 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] mechanical gauges
I was asking summit racing about their
mechanical gauges, wondering if the price included all the necessary
parts. they told me that the oil pressure and water temp hook up directly
with an 1/8th" line that I cut to fit. I questioned whether the water temp
would work that way since water wouldn't be circulating thru the line. do
mechanical temperature gauges work that way? I assumed there must be
a sealed , fixed length bulb/line arrangement that converts temp into line
pressure?
what are the pros/cons of using mechanical vs.
electrical gauges? I have some of them currently in my plane but will need
gauges to run the engine initially for ground tests, and hate to pay for
duplicates, so leaning towards the cheaper mechanical
gauges. kevin
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