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installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:10 pm
by jed1y0da
Hi all, is there a compatible temp gauge you can fit instead of the "i'm going to stay at 11o'clock' one on the bongo's?

thx

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:21 pm
by apole
Hi,

the neatest solution I found was the mason alarm, it both removes the "damping" of the original so it moves around and more accurately reflects what is going on, plus it has an audiable alarm. Easy to fit and discrete.

You can add a normal gauge, you'd need to wire it in, find somewhere to house it, and install a new sender unit.

Or maybe you could add an oil temp gauge ...

Lots of discussion on here about the options, but I, like others, went for the mason, it's easy to fit, well priced, and tried and tested.

Andy

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:20 am
by missfixit70
Second what Apole said - http://www.townace.plus.com/ie/ietemga2.htm - dead easy to fit & you can set the alarm where you want

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:51 am
by jaylee
Got a Mason fitted meself...
A bit scary to start with the needle sits one'ish..
It also alerted me to stop when my top hose went back last year! (I would have never noticed the steam till it was way too late.)

One thing i would say is if you do decide to fit one, (or even change the dial completely.) let the garage know (if they are likely to undertake any work) of the mod & where the needle normally sits... It will save alot of head scratching on their part!! :wink:

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:05 am
by missfixit70
The other option is of course the TM2 - http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/index.php ... at&catId=5 - or just get a cheap digital temp display with a probe, I got one from fleabay for around a tenner I think, no alarm & no illuminated numbers, but it gives a running temp readout.

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:11 am
by scanner
missfixit70 wrote:The other option is of course the TM2 - http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/index.php ... at&catId=5 - or just get a cheap digital temp display with a probe, I got one from fleabay for around a tenner I think, no alarm & no illuminated numbers, but it gives a running temp readout.
That will also show you what a chocolate fireguard the standard alarm is - watch the numbers change and watch the standard gauge do eff all.

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:56 pm
by Triple/R
missfixit70 wrote:The other option is of course the TM2 - http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/index.php ... at&catId=5 - or just get a cheap digital temp display with a probe, I got one from fleabay for around a tenner I think, no alarm & no illuminated numbers, but it gives a running temp readout.


I had the TM2 alarm & fitted (by Haydn) at the Stourport Bash--i was a bit paranoid about overheating issues #-o but now i can sleep at night ----it's one of those things you buy but hope it never bleeps---but if it does you can save a few hundred or thousand of pounds. :)

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:32 pm
by jed1y0da
thanks all - bought the mason alarm - will attempt to fit it at the weekend :) - looks fairly straight forward..

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:55 pm
by jaylee
The only dilemma you might have, is where to put the alarm box...
Gis a shout! :wink:

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:07 am
by dobby
Fitted mine in the fuse box with the adjustable screw bit by the hole in the cover.

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:18 pm
by jaylee
dobby wrote:Fitted mine in the fuse box with the adjustable screw bit by the hole in the cover.
damn! #-o :lol: That never occurred to me.. :oops:
I put mine here...
Image
I kind of like the old Marshall amp look about it! 8)

I did drill a hole in the back to help with the alarm acoustics... :idea:

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:24 pm
by dave_aber
bought the mason alarm - will attempt to fit it at the weekend
I got one last week too - bit I can't fit it since I haven't go the Bongo to go with it yet!

Still, doesn't hurt to be prepared!

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:46 pm
by missfixit70
jaylee wrote:
dobby wrote:Fitted mine in the fuse box with the adjustable screw bit by the hole in the cover.
damn! #-o :lol: That never occurred to me.. :oops:
I put mine here...
Image
I kind of like the old Marshall amp look about it! 8)

I did drill a hole in the back to help with the alarm acoustics... :idea:
I'm surprised you haven't added extra numbers to take it up to 11 Jamie :wink: :lol:

Good reminder about drilling out the back to increase the alarm volume, did mine too. Mines stuck out of sight behind the dash.

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:01 pm
by Dave Mason
jaylee wrote:Got a Mason fitted meself... alerted me to stop when my top hose went back last year! (I would have never noticed the steam till it was way too late.)
That's interesting. I've often wondered if the Mason alarm would pick up a burst hose. Some people say that the de-pressurisation will cause the temperature to drop rather than rise or that the lack of coolant around the sensor will render it useless. No-one of course wants to experiment. So your misfortune has provided some useful information. Thanks.

Re: installing a 'real' temp guage?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:34 pm
by dobby
:oops: Just had a new head on ours, I didn't have a burst hose but a small split appeared the alarm did it's job but the system pressurised and kettled so the LCA didn't have a chance.


By the way, with new head, rad and hoses I've reset Mr M's alarm to 4. What's everyone else using?