SPA Gauges

[Jack in Alaska]

I had an SPA gauge (boost/egt combo) on my last truck and had excellent performance for over 150k miles and liked the display. I am now looking at gauges for my new truck. After asking around a little I hear that they are troublesome, poor factory support etc.

Any comments, good/bad, would be appreciated.

 

[scbroder]

In general I prefer analog gauges, however I chose to go with a SPA Boost/EGTcombination gauge on the pillar. I installed the gauge nearly a year and a half ago(30,000 miles) and have been satisified with its performance. I can not comment on factory support as I have had no trouble.

 

[kblranch]

Dakota Digital (www.dakotadigital.com) also makes a combo digital gauge. The SLX-25-1 and the ODYR-25-1. I currently have the combo boost-egt Spa and the boost has started to act up but haven't had a chance to see about getting it fixed yet.

 

[BarryG]

I have had several spa gauges in use now for over 5 years and 175k. The gauges have worked great with one exception. The backlighting, while it works is great, nice and adjustable. However I have had quite a few of the individual backlights go out. Some gauges it is just one or two on another it is all of them. I had sent some of them back to get fixed long ago which they did no charge at the time but it did take a month or better to get them back. Am told they have to send them to England to get repaired. Those repaired ones have also lost some of their backlights since then as well. I have also read recently that they have switched suppliers of whatever part it was that was going bad and that is not supposed to be a problem anymore but I dont know for sure about that. I actually just quit worrying about the backlights because I didnt want to hassle with sending them in to get fixed but I may give them a call and see what they say.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Bringing this back up. Looking for a little more info.

Thanks

 

[prestonmck]

I have had my spa egt/boost gauge for about a year now with no problems experienced. I love the gauge and haven't had problems viewing the display in sunlight at all. I think the main thing to make sure on the digital read out gauges is to mount them slightly below your line of site. The read out is always clearly visible when mounted in this fashion. It was difficult to buy this gauge and I wasn't able to get it from spa. If and when I have problems with it I am sure ill have a hard time getting it fixed. The bulb that seems to go out on these will hopefully be something I can replace myself.

 

[CMNS PWR]

Anyone care to disclose the cost of replacing the backlights? I would contact them directly, but their site is down.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

After much investigation and hand wringing I decided on the Dakota Digital triple gauge. But in my posts back & forth with them it became apparent that they were not a customer friendly place. It was on backorder for a month and then when I received it it was not as I was told on the phone. I had pre-drilled a 1/8"NPT hole in my manifold. When the gauge came it required me to weld a 3/8" nipple onto my manifold and then drill a hole through it. I sent it all back for credit.

I ordered a dual Westach out of Genoes and it should be here tomorrow with a 1/8" NPT EGT sensor.

I really was looking forward to the Dakota Digital as it looked like a good product but it was not to be.

 

[DeezelDood]

I think you will like the Westach. The analog EGT and Boost on one face is very easy to read. The company makes aircraft gauges, it just feels right. If you are going with the (recommended) SRT-10 A-pillar from Genos there is one issue that is not obvious in the other threads. The plastic mounting yoke does not fit on one side (tight clearance). It takes some trial and error, but you need to shave it a bit to get it to fit and seat properly. I ended up cutting off about 3/8 of an inch and wrapping it with tape to wedge it in. Another issue is the lighting. If you get the white face be sure to put on the green bulb filter to reduce glare. Light power should be hooked up to the dashboard dimmer wire (many threads on gage install, light hookup, and SRT-10 pillar in TDR). Note: The gauge set does not come with sufficient wire to hook up the light. Pick up a roll of stranded 22-24 wire before you start. You will also need some extra 14-16 wire to hookup the Boost gauge power lead to the switched cig lighter wire. I'm not crazy about the lighting, but I have become accustomed to it. It is a very simple and reliable incandescent bulb. Replacement bulb, if it is ever needed, is probably easy to get from Westberg or at any aircraft parts facility. Did you ask for the RLT Boost nut? Its normally $7. 50, but free with the gauge purchase form Genos.

I love my Westach, best of luck.