Accuracy Of Temp Gauge

[greekfreek]

My temp gauge is off by about 25 degrees since new 3 years ago.. Checked with 2 Infrared digital temperature meters at the sending unit/thermostat housing... If I change the sensor or gauge will that "maybe" help?? Or just live with it...

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Accuracy Of Temp Gauge

paint the area around the temp sensor black (cheap spray paint) then test again and see if the temp is really that far out.

 

[greekfreek]

Re: Accuracy Of Temp Gauge

It's already painted black from the factory. Black paint does what??

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Accuracy Of Temp Gauge

black stops the reflection of the I/r beam so you do not get a false read.
There's a slim chance that if you clean the terminals on the back of the gauge the reading may get closer.
You can try a different temp sensor or a different gauge but im not sure that you will get a perfect reading especially after a few months as a boat is a hostile environment for a gauge that doesn't take well to being knocked about but it should be closer. You could test the gauge with a resistor to see if it reads correctly so you know if its the gauge or the sensor that's out.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Accuracy Of Temp Gauge

Reading the outside of the thermostat cover will not give you the actual temperate of the water inside. The outer surface of the housing could be substantially cooler depending on the material, it's thickness,the contact area and temperature of the water in the housing and the outside air temps.

If your concerned about the accuracy of the system, submerge the temp sensor in a pan of boiling water. Use a cooking thermometer to determine the temp of the water in the pan.

 

[greekfreek]

Re: Accuracy Of Temp Gauge

Put the sensor in hot water with cooking thermometer and the gauge is about 20 degrees off...but I started another thread about the audible alarm now..