SPA gauge validation query

[JohnMcIntyre]

This really only applies to those TDR members who are using the SPA dual digital digital #DG-106 (combined EGT and Turbo boost).



I'd just like clarification from other TDR members using this gauge if their own configuration set-up is similar or wildly different, as I've been getting some unusual readings recently... ... Thanks!!



bl

on



Rt

PE



--

Pr



At

0. 4



tb

025



etb

000



ot

1200



Eot

000



Efl

off



thr

1000



lb

11. 0



Uni

t psi



dEg

F



ran

16

 

[HVAC]

It looks similiar to the typical settings I see John.

 

[dresslered]

Good God it looks like a stock ticker! That's why I use those funny gauges with the pointers.

 

[csutton7]

as HVAC said looks good--you're very close to my settings--I think I set up diff warning light temps/boost/whatever---chris

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Faulty thermocouples

The funny readings from my pre and post SPA EGT gauges was down to two faulty thermocouples, now fixed thanks to HVAC. The guys at the SPA factory in the UK confirmed the demise of the thermocouples for me too. I was wondering if anyone else out there in TDR-land had a similar experience. Both thermocouples were 8,000 miles, 4 months old??



PS: Here's an interesting fact that is not common knowledge; The SPA factory in the UK is based out of a converted church... . proof again that the Lord obviously moves in mysterious ways eh?



JMc

 

[David_VT]

I lost a TC to vibration

Yep,

In my case I did not take the vibration load off the connector when I first installed it.



My crazy roads out here shake the welds out of my truck and sure enough the TC finally failed. The top of the TC pulled away from the yellow connector that is bonded to the end of it.



My new TC (reminds me I owe HVAC a check of it) has stress relief via the tie-wrap and my expectations are that it will not fail the same way!!!



David

 

[Alan Reagan]

Vibration broke the leads in my thermocouple connector. That was at about 30 K.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Stress management?

So David/Alan, if I read this correct, how did you guys dampen down the vibration being induced into the yellow connectors?



My wiring is supported with tiewraps and there is no stress either on the loom to both Thermocouples themselves. I don't have my digital camera handy, or else I'd take a quick picture and post it here. I'd like to try and minimise any opportunity of inducing another thermcouple related failure.





JMc

 

[Alan Reagan]

John, I remove the two screws holding the little cover on and laid in some of the blue silicon in the insulated wire. Then I reattached the cover. Mine broke where the wires were soldered onto the thermocouple and the connector didn't supply strain relieve. The silicon "slug" on the insulation seems to solve that problem. Then of course I'm tie wrapped to the wiring harness running under the rubber hood seal on top of the firewall. So far, so good.

 

[Scooby]

SPA fualty readings

Hey John,



I occasionally loose my pre-turbo guage (it goes to zero or someother low number that is obviously incorrect) and I also see an occasional 235 lb ft. of torque!!



Do either of these sound like a thermocouple failure?



I also got my guages from HVAC - any ideas?



(BTW roughly 14K miles on the guages)

 

[Alan Reagan]

Scooby, Going to a low number (I believe mine stuck on 64) is an indication that the wire is broke or that the thermocouple has opened. Mine would fluctuate to zero until it broke and the wire moved completely away.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Re: SPA faulty readings

Originally posted by Scooby

Hey John,



I occasionally loose my pre-turbo guage (it goes to zero or someother low number that is obviously incorrect) Does sound like a thermocouple failure?

In a word YES!!!!!!! The guys at the SPA factory in England told me precisely this, on Monday, whilst I visited their facility.



JMc

 

[Scooby]

Thanks for the quick feedback on the temp thermocouple... so now what do I do? Did they send you a new one free of charge? I think I've had them in a year.



Also, what do you make of the 235 ft. lbs of torque?

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Re: Re: SPA faulty readings

Originally posted by JohnMcIntyre

The guys at the SPA factory in England told me precisely this, on Monday, whilst I visited their facility.



JMc [/color]

Did you ask them to pick up the pace a bit? I've been waiting over a month for my SPA gauges (the fuel pressure gauge is holding things up)!!

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

235 ft. lbs of torque?

Originally posted by Scooby

Thanks for the quick feedback on the temp thermocouple... so now what do I do? Did they send you a new one free of charge? I think I've had them in a year.



Also, what do you make of the 235 ft. lbs of torque?

Scooby, I was told by the SPA folks in England that there is insufficient demand for the "beefier" thermocouples, so they are all sourced by SPA USA from within the USA. I had a couple of spares handy, courtesy of HVAC & FedEx. The two faulty ones are going to be shipped back to HVAC later this week for a FoC warranty replacement. Suggest you talk with Nowel.



I'm not sure I understand your second question? How are you measuring the standard and increased torque levels?



JMc

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Fuel Pressure gauge?

Originally posted by work2muchplay2little

Did you ask them to pick up the pace a bit? I've been waiting over a month for my SPA gauges (the fuel pressure gauge is holding things up)!!

Kurt, the guys at SPA UK told me that they have picked up the pace and that should shortly reflect in some major reductions in the wait times..... This is not a Fortune 500 company, just a regular high-tech automotive, aftermarket manufacturer/supplier and victims of their own success!



Whilst on the fuel pressure gauge, the "At" value you select, when you install this gauge will probably need a value of between 1. 0 and 2. 5, because the sampling and refresh rate and by definition the digital readout, will be a little more stable. Also, the actual sensor position/location is crucial wrt to the fuel pump, to minimise the surging effect and yoyo values in conjunction with the right "At" setting. TDR member Brandon has all the details on configuration and installation, plus the stainless steel braided fuel lines... ...



On a different point, I saw your sigfile, we have a similar interest in the sound system area. It seems that more and more people are going with the ICE bomb too!! Do you have a reference CD you can recommend that really stretches the sound system on the move? I can recommend a particular CD by a german band called Tangerine Dream, originally released back in 1973 and subsequently digitally remastered on the Virgin label a few years ago. The CD/album title is called "Riccochet" and is a live recording. Check it out!!



JMc

 

[Jack in Alaska]

SPA

I have had an SPA combo gauge with appropriate sensors for over 30k miles. The egt probe has not missed a beat. I have it supported with ty-wraps as well as the lead going to it.

The boost sensor has been another story. I have not been able to keep the connection to the boost sensor together for more than 1k miles or so.

Nowel has replace the sensor with a newer style that has a pigtail permanently and properly attached. It has a good water tight plug further up the lead. Wr installed it today and it is a 100% improvement to the old system.

Thanks Nowel for your help and excellent customer relations.

Note:

The old sensor had a straight thread that required a sealing washer. The new sensor has a tapered thread that screws on until tight. I did use 1 wrap of teflon tape for insurance but we are only talking about 35 psi -max.

 

[Scooby]

John,



Since I have a Banks Power Pack, I normally see between 0 and 36lbs of boost. Rarely, the guage will get stuck on 235 lbs. Also whenever I hit the max value recall button, it always says 235 lbs (unless I just cleared the memory)

 

[Alan Reagan]

Scooby, You may need to clean the pins on the boost sensor and bend them slighltly to make sure you have a good connection. What you don't want to hear is, mine did that when it was about 6 months old and one day it stuck and that was the end. Had to change the boost sensor.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

typo?

That explains it! Scooby In your original post you said 235 pounds of Torque not Boost Follow Alan's instructions and see how it goes!!



JMc