Temperature sender and gauge compatibility?

[reb78]

The temp gauge for the digger is broken (physically)... so I thought since it had overheated and spat coolant everywhere when it burst a hose, I would treat it to a new aftermarket gauge and sender.

VDO seem reasonably priced and accurate enough for my needs. Merlin Motorsport is where I have bought stuff before and this will do the job - https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/vdo-water-temperature-gauge-310010002 ... they dont sell a sender with a 3/8-18 NPT thread though which is what I need.

I found a sender of the correct size here - https://www.furneauxriddall.com/products/vdo-water-temperature-sender-earth-return-3-8-801-1-07

How do I know if the sender is compatible with the gauge? Do all VDO senders work with all VDO gauges?

 

[dobbslc]

I have one similar to this in my Surf.
I can't find the same gauge but it's been in for 10 years without problems.

2inch 52mm Digital 7 Color EVO Water Temp Gauge w/40mm Joint Pipe Sensor Adapter | eBay

1 x Water Temp Joint Pipe. 1 x Water temp gauge. 1 x Water temp sensor(1/8NPT). 2:Water Temp Gauge. 3:Oil Temp Gauge. This is One Gauge With 7 Color backlight(You can change the backlight by yourself).

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[reb78]

Trouble is, i cant find something like that with the correct sized sender and i suspect those chinese gauges definitely need to be bought with a corresponding/compatible sender?

 

[winchman]

I have used these just strap to a hose or back of Cylinder head.

STC-1000 12/24/110-220V LCD Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Sensor | eBay

Alarm function - display flashes if temperature exceeds temperature limit or sensor error (no noise). It contains two independent output relays that can be turned ON or OFF as temperature rises or lowers past a thermal threshold that you set.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[dobbslc]

It's got the sender with it.

 

[winchman]

It's going the sender with it.

Yes you plug and play

 

[winchman]

Had one on my Bongo the outputs can sound a buzzer if it goes over temp

 

[rcx132]

How do I know if the sender is compatible with the gauge? Do all VDO senders work with all VDO gauges?

I believe so, that's how it works, if the manufacturer hasn't stated which of their guages work with which sender then they all work.

The issue with sender's is they give non linear output which means you'd need a complex solution to make them cross compatible.

Take a look at Kus gauges, they are low cost and high quality marine gauges. Seem better value and quality than VDO.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Would it not be easier to buy/make a thread adaptor?

 

[reb78]

Would it not be easier to buy/make a thread adaptor?

Maybe. TBH, i was just looking for something to screw into the existing hole. I assumed i would find something relatively easily.

 

[reb78]

I believe so, that's how it works, if the manufacturer hasn't stated which of their guages work with which sender then they all work.

The issue with sender's is they give non linear output which means you'd need a complex solution to make them cross compatible.

Take a look at Kus gauges, they are low cost and high quality marine gauges. Seem better value and quality than VDO.

Good shout. KUS have this - https://www.asap-supplies.com/produ...auge-with-black-stainless-bezel-120-c-ky14002 and it looks like this sender is the correct thread - https://www.asap-supplies.com/produ...emperature-sender-120-c-eu-3-8-18-npt-ke00021

With that sender - am i right in reading that one terminal goes to the gauge and the other to earth? Wonder why they dont just earth through the block/head?

Do you happen to know if a wiring loom comes with the gauge - i.e. it comes with the correct plug for the back and wire tails to connect up as appropriate?

 

[sako243]

A search for 3/8-18 Npt Vdo turns up a load of hits including one on VDO's Netherlands website so they are available. Some that say they're VDO compatible on ebay for about a tenner.

 

[rcx132]

Good shout. KUS have this - https://www.asap-supplies.com/produ...auge-with-black-stainless-bezel-120-c-ky14002 and it looks like this sender is the correct thread - https://www.asap-supplies.com/produ...emperature-sender-120-c-eu-3-8-18-npt-ke00021

With that sender - am i right in reading that one terminal goes to the gauge and the other to earth? Wonder why they dont just earth through the block/head?

Do you happen to know if a wiring loom comes with the gauge - i.e. it comes with the correct plug for the back and wire tails to connect up as appropriate?

I've had a few Kus senders and they all earthed back to the block. This one says it has "insulated earth" which explains the second pin. Not sure why that's needed though.

The guage comes with a waterproof plug with wire tails. Power, two backlight wires to select red or orange light, earth, and sensor signal.

 

[reb78]

I've had a few Kus senders and they all earthed back to the block. This one says it has "insulated earth" which explains the second pin. Not sure why that's needed though.

The guage comes with a waterproof plug with wire tails. Power, two backlight wires to select red or orange light, earth, and sensor signal.

Perfect. These will do the job then for less than the VDO cost. Thanks for the pointer.

 

[reb78]

A search for 3/8-18 Npt Vdo turns up a load of hits including one on VDO's Netherlands website so they are available. Some that say they're VDO compatible on ebay for about a tenner.

Yeah. I just wanted to buy the lot from one place and wasn't sure how compatible the senders were across the range - hence the question really. Looks like the KUS option will work.

 

[rcx132]

Perfect. These will do the job then for less than the VDO cost. Thanks for the pointer.

Glad to help. I spent too much time Googling all the brands when choosing gauges for my build. Kus stand out on the budget end, amazing quality for the price.

 

[reb78]

Found a sender that earths through the block too - https://www.asap-supplies.com/produ...emperature-sender-120-c-eu-3-8-18-npt-ke00007 That didnt appear on the page with the gauge but did on a more in depth search.

 

[Farside]

ake a look at Kus gauges, they are low cost and high quality marine gauges. Seem better value and quality than VDO.

Seconded. I've been using KUS oil temp gauges for a few years and they've been perfectly fine, plus (supposedly) weatherproof.
Regarding temp sensors, just wire up the guage and dunk the sensor in a kettle - 100C is what you're looking for.