Electrical or Mechanical Gauges? [Merged 9-6]

[TSiAWD91]

Ok i ordered an autometer mechanical oil pressure gauge today on accident.i wanted to get the electrical,but for some reason i picked the mechanical.anyways,i was wondering if the mechanical gauge is a PITA to install and if i should send back the one i ordered to get the electrical gauge,or if its not too bad of an install.thanks for any help!!

 

[nh98gsx]

i was referng to boost gauge. as far as an electronic or mechanical it is not refering to the display but how the boost is measured. a mechanical is measured using some kind of fluid and costs about 50-60 bucks while the electronic measures electronicly and is about $200.

which is more accurate, if one is, which is more reliable, if one is.

 

[WhipmastaFlex]

running a boost gauge, i'd go for a mechanical. very easy to install, not worth the extra $100 for an electrical. if you're running an oil/fuel pressure or water temp, where you will have to run the fluid to the gauge, i'd go electrical

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by nh98gsx
mechanical is measured using some kind of fluid and costs about 50-60 bucks while the electronic measures electronicly and is about $200.

which is more accurate, if one is, which is more reliable, if one is.

The fluid in a boost gauge (air) won't stain, make a slick or sticky spot, catch fire nor stink (to anyone used to working on cars). It might be a bit tidier to run a wire to a gauge than a sensing tube, but I doubt it's $150 tidier. A mechanical only has the connection, tubing, Bourdon tube and pinion/rack to fail, an electronic has the sender and the gauge's electronics to rely on.
Unless you're going for a digital display -not the kind of readout you want for things like tach, boost, egt, oil pressure and fuel pressure (because you want trend indications, not values)- I don't know what the point would be for an electronic boost gauge.
However, DSM thought it'd be fine. It's what's in your dash..... sorta.

 

[alex99gst]

hey guys just wondering what the difference was between mechanical and electrical gauges are. thanks

later, alex

 

[GSX90]

Originally posted by alex99gst
hey guys just wondering what the difference was between mechanical and electrical gauges are. thanks

later, alex

Just what you said

Electrical gauges use an electrical sending unit from the source (boost, fuel pressure, water temp, etc) to display the value on the gauge.

Mechanical gauges use the actual source to display the value on the gauge.

 

[XTurboSpYderX]

electronic gauges claim to be more accurate (I have never seen a differance)

mechanical gauges are cheaper and easier.

 

[Defiant]

It can depend on what kind. Mechanical temperature gauges usually use a sensing bulb and capillary tube between the source and the gauge, kind of a dodgy, 17-century design. Mechanical pressure gauges also use a tube, but instead of a sensing bulb, just feel the pressure in the system through the tube and flex a Bourdon tube geared to the needle. Not good for fuel pressure inside the car, not great for oil pressure, works harmlessly for boost/vacuum.
Electrical pressure gauges have a variable resistor that responds to the system pressure and drives the gauge needle usually through a bimetallic strip. Electrical temperature gauges have a sender which also changes resistance with temperature, and again usually through a bimetal.
Mechanical level gauges are just a linkage (or just a wire) on a float, electrical have the float wiping a potentiometer with a bimetallic needle driver.
DSM factory boost gauges have PFM drivers.

Usual choices are electric gas, temp and level, and boost/vac mechanical.

 

[alex99gst]

oh thanks guys

 

[93_GEE_ES_EX]

I searched and searched i cant find any sites or threads that show me how to install the Autometer gauge.I bought this gauge used so it didnt come with instructions nor any wires.So i whould also need to know what wires do i need.

 

[K Dan]

For the mechanical gauge all u need is some speaker wire for the light and a sender. The sender is just some nylon tubbing and a metal fitting to connect to the sending unit. You'll probably want a t-fitting to retain the stock sender too. You can probably get the part numbers for the parts from the autometer web page, if not i have their catalog some where and can look it up for ya.

 

[Defiant]

A _mechanical_ gauge measures pressure through a tube like most boost gauges. You need a pressurized, blind galley hole and some tubing. You should find a suitable location to tap on the filter housing.

 

[93_GEE_ES_EX]

My stock gauge doesnt work.Any sites that show you how to do it?

 

[Defiant]

The stock gauge is electruc, your sender's connector may have come disconnected. It's by the oil filter, nose around.

 

[guedo512]

i was thinking about getting some gauges for my eclipse, i am just not sure if i want mechanical or electrical. what are the benefits/draw backs of each? which ones are everyone else running? i was looking at the autometer lunar series.

 

[clownface]

i just purchased some autometer phantom mech. gauges. Got some good deals and ive heard they work just fine.

 

[dave99gst]

your choice depends in the gauge and buget.
ELEC:
con = electric requires sening units.
pro = if its a f/p or oil/p gauge. ya dont got a oil/fuel line running into the car.


Mech:
Pro = normaly cheeper
con = requires line to be ran in to the cockpit.

 

[guedo512]

i plan on getting an oil pressure gauge. how does the electrical oil press. gauge tie into the car?

as for the other ones, i have no problum running wires to the cockpit.

 

[dave99gst]

Elec oil pressure gauge would use a new sending unit , then you would just run wires into the cockpit.
a mechanical would require you to run a oil line into the cockpit.

 

[Prodigy]

Originally posted by dave99gst
your choice depends in the gauge and buget.
ELEC:
con = electric requires sening units. <--- Not all of them...Blitz BLM dont
pro = if its a f/p or oil/p gauge. ya dont got a oil/fuel line running into the car.


Mech:
Pro = normaly cheeper
con = requires line to be ran in to the cockpit.

 

[PhoenixRPR]

I was thinking of getting the Autometer Cobalt Series Boost Gauge because it looked awesome, though $165+ is too much for a single gauge, on my budget. Do they make a cobalt gauge that's mechanical? Where are some good lists of mechanical gauges?

 

[d_tsiawd]

one gauge i wouldn't recommend is oil pressure that is mechanical if the oil lines pops off have fun

 

[cait sith]

Talk about incredible misinformation in this thread!

What do F1/Nascar/WRC/JGTC/Trans AM/F3/SCCA Pro Touring/Dakar cars use for gauges?

Hint: They're not mechanical. They're electric.

If you somehow think that a 50 dollar carbon fiber look Autometer gauge is somehow so much more accurate than a digital pressure sensor, you have some learning to do.

 

[dets]

also........certain radio signals can interupt the elctric ones

like what? emp?

 

[PhoenixRPR]

Talk about incredible misinformation in this thread!

What do F1/Nascar/WRC/JGTC/Trans AM/F3/SCCA Pro Touring/Dakar cars use for gauges?

Hint: They're not mechanical. They're electric.

If you somehow think that a 50 dollar carbon fiber look Autometer gauge is somehow so much more accurate than a digital pressure sensor, you have some learning to do.

I believe most autometer are electrical, correct?

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

Talk about incredible misinformation in this thread!

What do F1/Nascar/WRC/JGTC/Trans AM/F3/SCCA Pro Touring/Dakar cars use for gauges?

Hint: They're not mechanical. They're electric.

If you somehow think that a 50 dollar carbon fiber look Autometer gauge is somehow so much more accurate than a digital pressure sensor, you have some learning to do.

I too, have been wondering the same thing, but don't you think comparing those series to street usage is a little... how do I say... a completley different level!!! That's an extreme difference. Mechanical boost gauges are great!