Overheating can permanently damage your engine and transmission/gearbox. Monitor engine, transmission and exhaust gas (EGT) temperatures to give early warning of overheating with visual and audible alarms you can set.
What are the benefits of a gauge to display and alarm engine, transmission and EGT temperatures?
Standard temperature indicators sometimes provide engine temperature information. But if you're focused on driving, you may miss the indicator going into the RED until it is too late and your engine or transmission is damaged.
Often standard indicators only measure the engine coolant water temperature. If your engine coolant is lost or the level drops for any reason, many indicators won't show that the engine is overheating. You may not be aware that your engine is being damaged.
Most vehicles do not have an indicator showing transmission temperature. If you are 4WD'ing or towing a caravan, boat, trailer etc, your transmission and engine will be working hard, increasing the temperature. The temperature of the transmission can also become excessive during high speed highway driving. If you are not aware of your actual transmission temperature, you have no way of knowing whether it is being damaged by excessive heating.
In addition to monitoring engine temperature, one of the most effective ways of monitoring overall engine performance is to display the exhaust gas temperature (EGT). The EGT is also useful for tuning the fuel trim on petrol or diesel engines. However most vehicles do not display the EGT at all.
The EGT temperature changes quickly depending on the vehicle speed, acceleration and load and is a very good indicator of how hard the engine is working. For example, if your vehicle is pulling a heavy load, climbing or running at high speeds, the EGT may be too high. Many drivers (especially 4WD) monitor the EGT temperature level to ensure that the overall load on the vehicle is not too high.
Excessive EGT temperature can also be an early warning of potential engine or turbocharger damage. Very high EGT temperatures are an indicator of dangerous conditions that can lead to catastrophic engine failure. For example, if your engine suddenly loses cooling, the EGT temperature rises very quickly.
This gauge allows you to monitor and set alarms for the engine block, transmission housing and EGT temperatures during all driving conditions.
The temperature display and settings can be in Celsius or Fahrenheit (option).
You can set SAFE engine, transmission and EGT temperature levels which the display will show in GREEN. By setting the MAXIMUM temperature levels, an audible alarm and flashing RED display will be triggered if the maximum temperature is exceeded. If the temperature is above SAFE but below the MAXIMUM, the display will show an AMBER warning. If the engine or transmission temperatures are below freezing, the gauge display will show BLUE. The gauge can also show the highest engine, transmission and EGT temperatures reached since the gauge was powered on.
Sample Video
The gauge is designed to mount on the vehicle dash or similar surface. The outside dimensions are 60mm(L) x 52mm(H) x 20mm(D).
There are two gauge buttons - Menu and Settings. The steps required to set the temperature alarms, adjust the screen brightness etc are easy to follow.
How it Works
The gauge receives continuous engine and transmission temperature measurements from two digital temperature sensors mounted directly on the engine block and transmission housing.
Each digital temperature sensor can measure temperatures from -55°C to +125°C (-67°F to +257°F). The gauge displays temperatures in one degree increments.
The EGT sensor is capable of reading temperatures as high as 1024 °C (or 1875 °F) and uses a K type thermocouple probe (with digital output) which is mounted in the exhaust pipe stream.
The gauge checks the measured temperature against two temperature levels (SAFE and MAXIMUM) which are set separately for the engine, transmission and EGT.
- SAFE temperature. An engine, transmission or EGT temperature at or below SAFE is normal operation.
- MAXIMUM temperature. An engine, transmission or EGT temperature at or above the MAXIMUM will flash a RED display and trigger the audible alarm. The alarm will also be triggered If the gauge cannot receive a temperature reading from any sensor. The audible alarm can be cancelled by pressing either the Menu or Settings button or can be turned off using the gauge menu/settings.
The SAFE temperature setting must be lower than the MAXIMUM temperature setting. An engine, transmission oe EGT temperature in the range between SAFE and MAXIMUM is displayed as a warning in AMBER. By pressing the Settings button, the gauge will display the highest engine, transmission and EGT temperatures reached since the gauge was powered on.
The gauge display icons, settings and colours used are clear and easy to understand. One glance at the gauge and, if the display is GREEN, all is normal.
Options
- Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature standards are supported. Please nominate the standard you require when ordering or message Gauge Innovations for advice on how to change standard.
- Two waterproof digital temperature sensors marked engine and transmission (blue stripe on the sensor) are supplied with the gauge. If you do not want to install the transmission sensor, you can set the gauge to display only the engine temperature. This is done by leaving the transmission sensor disconnected inside the junction box and restoring the gauge to factory settings once (refer to the Menu and Settings Summary). If you install the transmission sensor later, restore the gauge to factory settings again and the gauge will display both engine and transmission temperatures.
- A K-type thermocouple EGT sensor and fittings are supplied with the gauge. If you do not want to install the EGT sensor immediately, you can set the gauge to display only the engine and transmission temperatures. This is done by leaving the EGT sensor disconnected inside the junction box and restoring the gauge to factory settings once (refer to the Menu and Settings Summary). If you install the EGT sensor later, restore the gauge to factory settings again and the gauge will display engine, transmission and EGT temperatures. .
- Replacement sensors or sensors with longer cables are also available by messaging Gauge Innovations.
The gauge has been designed, developed, manufactured and extensively
road tested in Australia. It is backed by a 12 month, return to
manufacturer warranty against manufacturing defects.
As further enhancements become available, wherever practicable, gauge owners will be offered an option to upgrade.
The firmware, icons etc can also be modified to suit particular requirements. If you have a special requirement or a suggestion for improvement, contact us via eBay.
What's in the box
- Temperature Gauge dash mounted 60mm long, 52mm high, 20mm deep with 75cm cable (5 pin plug) to the gauge junction box under the dash.
- Power connector plug and cable 12v DC. Red is positive, Black is negative chassis ground.
- Two waterproof digital temperature sensors including cables and connectors. Engine sensor ( 1 meter cable). Transmission sensor (2 meter cable marked with a blue strip).
- Sensor junction box to mount under the vehicle bonnet.
- Gauge junction box to mount under the dash.
- One EGT sensor (0.75 meter cable + 1.5 meter EGT braid) including probe and exhaust welding bung (option mild steel or stainless).
- A cable (2.5 meters) with a plug at each end to connect the gauge to the gauge junction box (normally through the firewall) 4 pin plug is at the sensor junction box end, 3 pin plug at the sensor junction box end.
- Mounting hardware.
- Instruction manual.
The engine and transmission temperature sensors are mounted using an existing M8 bolt located on the engine block and transmission housing where the temperature will be measured. It is important that a mounting point bolt for each sensor is used which:
- Will provide reliable measurement of the engine block or transmission housing temperature.
- Is well away from any other sources of heat such as exhausts, turbos etc.
- Is protected from mechanical damage to the sensor or its cable
EGT Temperature Sensor
The EGT Sensor Probe should be installed by a qualified installer:.
- Determine the best EGT probe location point on the exhaust pipe,
- The exhaust pipe needs to be drilled and the threaded bung welded onto the exhaust pipe by a qualified installer.
- Assemble and Install the EGT probe assembly into the welded bung (Refer to diagram below).
- Position the EGT probe tip correctly in the centre of the exhaust stream.
- Tighten the EGT probe compression nut and bung nut. Be careful to not over tighten.
- One 5 pin plug from the gauge to the connection box under the dash.
- One 2 pin plug for power (positive and negative) to the connection box under the dash.
- One 4 pin plug from the connection box under the dash to the temperature sensor junction box (single cable to run through the firewall)
Gauge installation is straightforward. Only three connections are required:
More detailed installation instructions are included in the gauge Instruction Manual.
Please note
that due to eBay presentation variation the gauge screen colors may not
be exactly as shown.
Gauge Innovations 52mm Gauge Range
For Buyers outside Australia: Please note the postage does not cover your local custom/import taxes.