Mechanical vs. Electrical Gauges

[Colonel102]

I'm getting close to buying gauges and have my mind set on AutoMeter. They have so many options it's hard to decide. They offer some models that you can either get mechanical or electric gauges (i. e. ultralite trans temp). What's the deal? Is one better than the other?

I was talking w/ my neighbor and he said that the more mechanical gauges you have the better... . So what's right? :-{}



BTW... . did a search and looked at over 6 pages of threads... . didn't find a thing.

Thanks for the help

 

[DBoggs]

I think any more it boils down to personal preference. I like mechanical gauges because there are no sending units to have to deal with or any wiring other than the gauge lights. Also they will continue to read even if the power goes away. I also think they tend to be more accurate. The drawback is that any gauge that has a fluid filled line going to it can leak and make one heck of a mess. It can also do damage to the component losing that fluid if not noticed soon enough.



Duane

 

[Bertram65]

In the two most popular gauges for the CTD I do not believe you have a choice, EGT is electrical and boost is mechanical. For oil temps be it engine or trans. oil, you can get either however there seems to be more choices in the 2 1/16" guages in electric than mechanical, 2 1/16" or 2" is the standard size most people install and what the majority of the pillar mounts or dash mounts are made for.

The mechanical gauges can be harder to install when dealing with capulary lines for oil temp or presure, plus if one of the capulary line is damaged it can create a mess in the cab or engine failure if the damage went undetected like a break in oil presure line somewhere in the engine compartment. Modern electric gauges are just as accurate as mechanical and in my opinion have many advantages.