Electric vs. Mechanical

[Southpaw]

Okay,
Looking to buy gauges. I like the Autometer Cobalt series, but looking at the boost gauge, there is a huge difference in price between the electric and the mechanical ones. Whats the difference? Which one do you guys recommend for an 02 7.3?
Thanks for any help.

[mschn99]

Really, its all about personal preference. I personally like the looks of mechanical gauges...but both will do what you need so pick what you like the looks of best!!

[Rob]

is there an advantage to either? just curious since i am also looking!!!

[sldghamr]

i have a 96er with four autometer mechanical gauges. i love 'em. looks old school!!!

[Shadowlightning]

From what I've learned about the both, mechanical is the way to go for certain types and electrical for others.


IMO It's easier to hookup the following guages mechanical than electrically, all you need to do is install the sensor/probe into an existing bung or create one.

Mechanical:
Boost
Water temp
Tranny temp
Oil pressure

Here is a good way to look at it, Mechanical gauges use a calibrated set of measuring devices to give you your reading. Example the mechanical boost gauge is going to show you an exact reading of PSI or (mm of Hg) reading as boost levels rise and fall in your intake. An electrical gauge basically uses the guts of a mechanical sensor with an electric gauge.

From what I learned working with SCUBA equipment and VERY high pressures and temperatures while compressing gases, mechanical is the way to go, you don't need a power source to get your reading, it's (almost) always going to work so long as your engine is running.

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Last edited by Shadowlightning : 06-10-2007 at 08:52 AM.

[Southpaw]

Thanks for the quick replies, guys.
The gauges look identical, both are full sweep needles 0-30psi. The only difference is how they are hooked up, is that right? It sounds like the mechanical is easier to hook up and more reliable, it's also $135.00 Cheaper than it's electric(not digital) counterpart. Do I understand this right, or am I still confused??
Is the electric one the one that T's into the map sensor?
Any more help or opinions would help a lot.
Thanks

[straycat]

I've got the electrical for mine, I found them very easy to install, and seem to work just fine.

Gord.

[Shadowlightning]

Well now you're throwing out a WHOLE new ball of wax, sorta. DIGITAL gauges are indeed electrical gauges with a digital display/readout. Those are of course going to be more expensive.

Electrical "movement" versus mechanical "movement" should only be a minor price difference.

[Southpaw]

Thats what I thought.
The best prices I found so far are the

-270 deg. sweep 0-35psi 12v mechanical boost gauge---$63.21
ATM-6104 - Auto Meter Cobalt Series Gauges: Boost and Turbocharger Gauges - egauges.com

-270 deg. sweep 0-30psi electric boost gauge---$199.89
ATM-6160 - Auto Meter Cobalt Series Gauges: Boost and Turbocharger Gauges - egauges.com

The only reason I said not digital is to remove any confusion, so that nobody thought I was talking about digital when I said electric.

These gauges look Identical(except one is 30psi and one is 35psi).
I guess I'm a little slow, because I am still confused. The only difference is how the gauge gets it's info, right? Whether T'd into the MAP line or drilled and tapped into the turbo Y pipe?
Sorry for the confusion, but I would like to know all the information before I buy anything. Just one of those people!

Thanks guys
chris

[Shadowlightning]

This is from Autometers website.

Q. Do I need a sender for my electrical gauge?

Electrical temperature and pressure gauges require the use of a sender matched for the type of gauge in use; the stock sender will only work with the stock gauges. Auto Meter gauges are designed to work with the Auto Meter sender that is included with the gauge. Extra senders are available; check out our Accessories.



__________________________________________________ ______________
That is the difference, the electrical unit requires a little gizmo that "reads" whatever your gauge is for (Boost, temp, oil pressure) it then converts that information into an electrical signal which is sent to your gauge. Mechanical works exactly as described, you drill a hole into whatever you're trying to read basically, and insert a probe, that probe works mechanically to read pressure, temperature etc. (ever hear of a thermocouple in your furnace or hot water heater, thats a mechanical thermometer basically)

The reason why there are TWO choices is because some people have the know-how and time to locate an appropriate "port" in the system that they want to measure, I.E. Turbo inlet, exhaust downpipe etc. With an electrical unit, you can essentially install the sender wherever you want within the system and run some wires, done.