Update on installed SPA Digital Gauges.

[Archive]

I just thought that i would give everyone a update on the SPA Digital Gauges that I installed on my truck about 2 months ago. I must say I cannot live withouth the gauges, they have been working very well and I am pleased in everyway possible. The quality of the product has been outstanding with the exception of the Thermocouple that burnt off on the first major pull, however that was immediatly resolved by the company (overnighted new one without any questions) and now have a thicker thermocouple that is like most have seen with other gauges.

The ability to see on the fly instant information versus a time delayed reaction is very cool; I drove a truck that had the Autometer gauges installed and although they looked very nice, I still like the fast acting versus slow response on things such as the egt's. Also the coolest thing about them is the hold peak values feature, the ability to see what my highest temps and pressures were in the click of a switch is way to cool.

I still have to finish working with David_VT in regards to our shutdown module but plan to have that completed soon. So my overall opinion has been that they are very nice and yes I would definatly go with the digitals again just because of the overall quality and features. If you have any questions about them you can either E-mail me or call me at 408-218-9281 and you can see them at www.performancediesel. 20m.com under the SPA Gauge section.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights, Diesel Dynamics Stage-3's, Perma-cool transmission cooler w/fan, SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz. 20m.com

Add on's to come: Exhaust Brake, Torq-Loc, Line-X bed-liner, and any other Ram Runner required modification...

 

[Archive]

Hey Mike, did anything happen to the turbo fins when the thermocouple vaporized?

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

 

[Archive]

It's good to see someone likes these gauges. I've decided to put these gauges in my 99 though they're not ordered yet (it's my next upgrade after I finish with my engine lube mods). I basically was on the fence between Auto Meter and these guys. After talking to customer service (a bureaucracy at Auto Meter -- a couple of real people a SPA Technique) I was convenced to go with the SPA. Nothing wrong with Auto Meter's product, just the know-nothing reps I talked to. I've since asked the folks at SPA several questions about possible applications and I always get the VIP treatment -- even though I haven't even ordered a single product yet.

I too was wondering about that thermocouple problem you had. I got the impression from the SPA web site that the ones they're using are a little fragile. I talked to them about using a 1/4" Isspro thermocouple and they said that it would work fine -- in fact they're going to order some themselves for testing.

What kind / how big was the one that broke on you? What are you using now?

Concerning the shutdown module: all you need is a relay that takes less than 100ma to close and then wire it just like the shutdown module in the following link (courtesy of another TDR member -- thank you).
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/000507.html

100ma is the limit on the external switch of the SPA gauge. Depending on what relays you can find, you might have to switch a relay with a relay in order to step up to one that can handle the current necessary (25a in the drawing).

Anyway, glad to year you're happy with SPA. \

By the way, don't I remember that David_VT was talking to SPA about adapting a brake bias gauge to measure pressure drop across the fuel filter -- or did I dream that?

Kyle


[This message has been edited by Kyle (edited 06-14-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Thanks Kyle, yes actually I am a distributor for SPA and you are right they treat everybody with absolute respect and courtesy, The TC that broke was a 1/16" and was too fragile for the harsh vibrations of the diesel, they have since sent me a 1/8" and I think that will be fine. We are currently undergoing some additional testing with other types of TC's for the absolute best solution for the environment. The shutdown module that I speak of is a little more than just the simple keep running circuit that is on the thread that you posted; we are incorporating some safety features and some additional type things that would be part of the box. The basic setup works fine and is a great idea I along with David just wanted to improve upon it. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop an e-mail.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights, Diesel Dynamics Stage-3's, DD Boost Module,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz. 20m.com

Add on's to come: Exhaust Brake, Torq-Loc, Line-X bed-liner, and any other Ram Runner required modification...

 

[Archive]

These gauges look to be the best choice for a digital gauge, but is it worth the extra $$ over a regular style gauge. And while were taking about it, how much do these things run ? I want a boost/pyro and a transmission temp/pressure. I know we are not supposed to give exact $$ so give me an an approximate number including all the other stuff one would need besides just the gauge. Actually MCrossley if you want to email me the exact prices that would be fine too, but I figure there is some interest in knowing the guess price. Thanks.

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01 2500 SLT+ QC LWB 4x4 Auto 3. 54 rear end Forrest Green Sport with all options avail
DC Nerf Bars, DC Grill Gard, DC mud flaps, Line-X bed liner and Leer 160XL Topper
Soon to be Power Edged. Gauges and 4" Exhaust in planning stages. Dreaming of transmission
up grades and injectors... ... and some type of Airbox mods.
See My Truck
2000 Skidoo Summit 700

 

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Just a note from Mr install these gauges are Top quality and the install turns out real clean. No tubing to get kinked on the boost gauge side of things. They cost the most but you only need to do it once so do it right. Thanks to Mike now I will probably lose even more of my high priced Banks gadgets.

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1996 4x4 3500 4. 10 5spd, Diesel Dynamics stage 2 injectors, #5 TST plate, Pump mods, 16cm2 housing with 4" exhaust, Cummins exhaust brake, US Gear overdrive, Grover air horns, Mag-Hytec cover, and more.

 

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sorry about that Blair, I know how much that Banks stuff means to you. Blair is right though the gauges are extremly high quality, they look good and pack a lot of features that you just can't get on an analog gauge; I know they are not for everybody but if you need the ability to see you high points such as a lot of mountain towing or racing where you cannot watch that gauge all of the time but can see a warning light when out of range, these realy can save you a lot in the long run (point and case: Towing trailer over highway 4 need to watch road not gauge, but also need to see that I am over EGT, uh oh blinking yellow light I;m over EGt, get out of it) So they have their advantages. I am not going to post any kind of pricing on this site only because we have been asked not to and I am not about to start making waves with Rob, he has been kind enough to provide us this service so those who wish to have pricing please just give me a e-mail and I will be happy to respond.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights, Diesel Dynamics Stage-3's, DD Boost Module,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz. 20m.com

Add on's to come: Exhaust Brake, Torq-Loc, Line-X bed-liner, and any other Ram Runner required modification...

 

[Archive]

I need to chime in here with my own positive feedback on the gauge. I had ordered my own heavier TC probe and am now happy that SPA is seeing the light on that issue.

The wife has had the truck for the last three weeks so I had to rip the keys out of her hands. While she was driving me home from the airport (no sleep red eye, otherwise I'd have driven), I noticed that she has mastered pegging the boost.

The tell tale give away is the flashing red light on the SPA gauge telling me she is over the stock boost level... #ad


My edge module is waiting to be installed, off to the tool box... . (and back on the plane wednesday #ad
)