How to check temp gauge resistance

Post by **david58** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:14 am

temp gauge resistance

Anyone know how to check the operating resistance range of temp gauge? I need to know so I can buy the correct sender that will be accurate with the temp gauge that I already have. It is brand new but I don't have anything but the guage. I would also like to know how to check an electrical guage to see if it is functional.

Speedy Jim · Post by **Speedy Jim** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:49 pm

http://www.egauges.com/vdo_sgrp.asp?Sub ... ure_Sender

If nothing there matches, use a rheostat in place of the sender
to determine which resistance range works.

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

takotruckin · Post by **takotruckin** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:56 pm

can you clarify what a rheostat is? is it something the average dude can buy? where?

Speedy Jim · Post by **Speedy Jim** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:26 pm

rheostat = volume control thingie.

Look for maybe a 500 Ohm "potentiometer"/rheostat.

Here is a 250 Ohm model, which would work:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/i ... HAFT_.html

Radio Snack may have some also.

Connect the center terminal and one of the outer terminals
where the sender would normally go. Turn pot shaft till
the gauge reads Min or Max and then use an Ohmmeter
to read the Ohms the pot is set at,.

takotruckin · Post by **takotruckin** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 12:52 pm

ok, so radioshack lists them as 5k 10k 100k etc, how is that measured?

Speedy Jim · Post by **Speedy Jim** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:24 pm

5K is 5,000 Ohms. That's probably too much Ohms.
The pot would only turn a hair to swing the gauge from one
end to the other. Something in the 250 to 500 Ohm range
would be better.