Mechnical or Electric Gauges?

[d00dz]

Question is: What do you guys prefer?

Electric or Mechanical Gauge?

This is for oil pressure and a boost gauge.

On a side note...

What do the stock gauges use? Mechnical or Electric?

[Tommyk]

stock gauges are electronic

I would use a mechanical boost gauge, but id be tempted to go for an electronic oil pressure gauge

[krzysiu]

Damn cliecked electronic by accident. Anywayz. Yeha i use a Mechanic Boost Gauge. Arent they more Accurate?

[wishaw]

I would have to say electronic. If i was going to be running anything where i really needed to monitor thoes readings closely i would have something like the wolf 3d hand controler showing me anyway. And the thought of engine oil in my cabin just isnt cool.

[Tommyk]

The only goddamn bloody difference between electronic and mechanical gauges, is that in an electronic gauge, the electronic sensor converts the signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, which can then be carried via wires through the firewall up to an electronic unit which converts it back to analog. In a mechanical system, the gauge simply reads whatever pressure level is fed to it.

Imagine having a mechanical oil temp gauge - > and the oil line inside the cabin breaks and you get 80 degree oil poured into your cabin

[justin911]

mmmmm deep fried

[d00dz]

hmm yea.. dont want oil in your cabin.

What about boost gauge? will it also leak if its mechanical?

[180bfj20det]

Oil can be bad, imagine petrol.....that would be scary

[Sumo]

I use a mechanical boost gauge.

Mechanical is easier to setup. We use these on tractors where the electrical system usually cosists of a Starter motor wire and a Exciter light for the altenator.

[wrxkilla]

Electronic Gagues are more accurate and more expensive

Mechanical arent as accurate and are cheaper.

plus depending on the gauge can be dangerous.

if you have the money always go electronic.

mick

[Cubes]

Electric..

Safer and one less thing the policemen can defect you for.

[Roy]

that in an electronic gauge, the electronic sensor converts the signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, which can then be carried via wires through the firewall up to an electronic unit which converts it back to analog. In a mechanical system, the gauge simply reads whatever pressure level is fed to it.

Digita signal??? Doesnt it just convert the reading into an analog signal; and then at the control unit reads the signal where a certain voltage equals whatever. I dont think there is a need to convert anything to digital

[CerealKiller]

Electric..

Safer and one less thing the policemen can defect you for.

how can you get defected for having mechanic gauges?

[PHATGTR]

An electronic gauge can show peak boost, warning of pre set overboost and most have a replay function.

I have always been under the assumption that mechanical gauges are more accurate.

[CONRAD]

You can recall peak readings from some electrical gauges, handy for not having to look down at gauges when you really should be looking at the road when flexing.

[Shaun]

Yeah, arent mechanical gauges illegal because they let the oil or fuel etc inside the cabin. Imagine suckin on a durry when your mechanical fuel gauge sh1ts itself. Flame grilled hoon.

[Bobjones]

Most gauges in domestic cars should be electric, therefore reducing the risk of exposure to unwanted stuff like hot oil...

Most performance cars in the states and drag racing use mechanical, with such items as fuel mounted externally under ANDRA regs etc.

The best responsive gauges I have found are mechancial especially with regard to boost. I have always run mechancial in other cars but external mounted, otherwise run full sweep electric (I like Autometre sorry).

Most Jap ones are electric for the reason that they install them inside the ****pit!!!

[Roy]

Is there a reason why you think the mech boost gauges are more accurate. An electric gauge would be able to put the sensor within a few inches of the preessure source meaning that it will react very quickly, whilst the mechanical gauge needs metres of hosing so it can be plumbed up to the gauge....plus surely a diaphragm and voltage signal will be better calibrated/more robust then a mechanical gauge????

Who needs boost gauges anyway..what you dont know cant hurt you:)

[Bl4cK32]

mechanical for oil pressure....if i loose all electrics in my car, i can still drive home, knowing if i have oil pressure or not

fuel pressure...electrical if the gauge is inside the car

boost pressure...i use my avcr for that one

[Bobjones]

mechanical boost is more accruate and responsive as despite the tube being at a distance, the line has a constant pressure. Whereas the electronic measures at intervals and then transmits the data from the sensor to the guage itself. Some electronic ones are good, however I cannot justify $300-$400 for an electronic boost gauge compared to a mechanical when it does the same job. For other uses I would go electronic, such as oil pressure (sometimes it can be beneficial for a mechanical as well in some applications), water temp, oil temp as these do not move in a huge hurry...