Jasongray5
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 02:04 PM |
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Would a lower voltage cause temperature guage to read a little lower?
Hi guys,
A little background info,
I have a ford falcon (EB model) here in Western Australia, The alternator has been on its way out for some time, and only giving around 12v. The
other evening, it decided it would be a good idea to die, 140k's from anywhere. So, I have replaced it, and getting a steady 14.5
Around the same time, the temperature guage has started reading ever so slightly higher, nothing to worry about heat wise, could this be because of
the difference in voltage?
She has plenty of coolant, and that was only changed 12,000k or so ago.
I am moving steadily north at the moment tho, so the air temperature has changed from 15 degree's to 30 or so?
Cheers for any thoughts!
Jason
How hard can it be?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33261515@N03/sets/72157611049241239/
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wylliezx9r
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 02:24 PM |
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Could well be, as the sensor is sending out a voltage in relation to the temperature. I'm sure somebody will be along to correct me though.
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George Best
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britishtrident
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 02:51 PM |
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I would expect on an older model it would but I don't any details at all about your specific car model.
Modern euro box cars ie anything post 1998 or so tend to drive the dashboard instruments from the engine ECU and give readings that are
non-linear ie they are programmed to remain smack on "N" between 75c and 115c -- this has caused a lot of blown head
gaskets.
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ashg
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 03:00 PM |
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i would say its more to do with the new alt putting extra load on the engine tbh. temp sensors work on ground resistance so voltage shouldn't
have any effect. the 12v feed to the gauge is only required for mechanical movement which will just be faster or slower depending on voltage not more
or less movement.
Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!
Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)
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Liam
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 03:27 PM |
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Supply voltage shouldn't affect instruments in a modern car or they'd be all over the place under different electrical load/revs/etc.
quote:
Originally posted by Jasongray5
Hi guys,
A little background info,
I have a ford falcon (EB model) here in Western Australia, The alternator has been on its way out for some time, and only giving around 12v. The
other evening, it decided it would be a good idea to die, 140k's from anywhere. So, I have replaced it, and getting a steady 14.5
Around the same time, the temperature guage has started reading ever so slightly higher, nothing to worry about heat wise, could this be
because of the difference in voltage?
She has plenty of coolant, and that was only changed 12,000k or so ago.
I am moving steadily north at the moment tho, so the air temperature has changed from 15 degree's to 30 or so?
Cheers for any thoughts!
Jason
There must, must be a clue in there somewhere, but I'll be damned if I can see it. Anyone know Sherlock Holmes' number? 
[Edited on 3/8/11 by Liam]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 03:48 PM |
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But a voltage regulator can't compensate for low voltage once it is below a given threshold.
On older cars the instruments tended to be the bi-metal type which were very voltage sensitive.
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Dingz
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| posted on 3/8/11 at 04:08 PM |
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I would say you are right about the higher voltage, I don't have a voltage stabiliser on my instruments in my kit, when I turn the headlights on
my fuel gauge drops, turn them off and it fills up again.
Phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just
went on and on.
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Jasongray5
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| posted on 4/8/11 at 11:38 AM |
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Cheers for the replies guys!
I think its going to be a case of keeping on going, until something dramatic happens!
Jason
How hard can it be?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33261515@N03/sets/72157611049241239/
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