Need EGT setup recommendations...

[J Banning]

I've given up trying to tune with my O2 sensor and want to put an EGT gauge in the car. I know that SMC sells a kit, but I'm a "do-it-yourself" kind of guy and would like to put something together myself. I'd like to get recommendations from you guys on what parts to get, whom to get them from, and where to mount it on the car. I welcome ALL comments...

WHICH DIGITAL THERMOMETER?
From what I've found so far I'd like to go with a digital thermometer like the...

1) Tenma 72-2060 (Same as SMC?)
http://www.tenma.com/065.html

2) Omega HH501AK K-Type Thermometer
http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=HH500&Nav=m02

Note:
- I'm not sure if the Tenma unit has a backlit display (something I'd like to have), but the Omega does.
- The Omega unit has an alarm you can set for peak temp (would be nice).
- Both come with thermocouple wires (Tenma = 4', Omega = 3'). Can I use the 3' wire, or is it too short?

Aside form the two models listed above, are there any other ones out there?

WHICH THERMOCOUPLE SHOULD I USE?
I know I need a clamp-on style Type-K... something like Westach sells. I also read on a post here that I can get the thermocouple and wire from SMC. Aside from where I get it, what length should the probe be (1/2"?) and how long of a wire do I need?

Again, any other manufacturers out there?

MOUNTING AND WIRE LENGTH?
I'd like to mount the unit right above the radio pod, probably between the AC vents (saw this on the GMHTP Buick). With that being said, what's the best way to run the wires/lead to the thermocouple? What length of wire do I need? Can I use the 36" wire that comes with the Omega unit, or will it be too short? Which supplier should I go with?

How about mounting the probe on the passenger side header? I'm getting conflicting reports on where the best spot is. It seems that the majority of people have it mounted below the turbo under the O2 sensor. I'm reading that some mount it 180* from the O2, while others do it 90*. Which is best?

WHERE TO GO FOR THE BEST PRICE?
Where can I go to get the best prices? The info I got for this post was from the manufacturer's web sites. Are there any sites out there that you know of that have better pricing?


That's about all I can think of right now. I'm looking forward to your comments.

Thanks,
-Banning.

 

[Intercooler]

Banning,

I originally bought the SMC setup from PTE for $199 with the Tenma meter, single input with record and backlit. After stumbling on a model 52 Fluke at work that had dual input, no backlighting and also having min/max record I sent the SMC unit back. I purchased the probe with clamp (must bore 1/8" hole in header) to insert the probe and the extension to run it in the car for $39 and the meter is free because I can keep it on permanent loan unless we need it. Total outlay is $44 with shipping for my setup. I did like the backlighting of the Tenma units but can't have it all! I figure it will not matter at all during the daytime and if I race at night I can stop at the end of the run and turn on the inside light to see what the high/low numbers are. If it were me and I didn't have the meter I would get the Tenma unit and the SMC clamp, K type thermocouple probe and lead to run it in the car. If you piece it out you can do it for $130. Keep an eye on E-Bay to see if a Tenma unit pops up or a model 52 Fluke and you can save some bucks. Good luck!

 

[Intercooler]

Banning,

Here is a module to plug in a regular Fluke. Also a model 77 on E-Bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1738383450

 

[Turbo 6 Justin]

okay let me ask a question if I can. I have the SMC kit and a few extra probes stuck in other vehicles. The only thing I really don't like about his kit is I am a street racer and usually drive at night so I always have the interrior lights on and it gets pretty annoying. I really like the idea of the omega unit having a backlit function. My question is do I unplug the SMC unit which looks a lot like the tenma unit and simply plug in the omega unit for the type K thermocupler (one listed for $75) and I am done? can anything be this simple? thanks for your replies, I was going to fab up some type of 12V desklight type thing on top of the SMC unit but after doing that in 3 cars the cost and time has to be more than $75

Thanks!!

 

[salvageV6]

Yes a type K is a type K will work in any compatible meter.

Now Omega has a ton of extension cable fittings and wire that you can use to add to your setup to properly locate the termination inside the car at the meter. Type K thermocouple extension wire even available in braided steel jacket.

I bought the Westach probe used and the cheap Omega meter with dual inputs. I also have incar temps. right now but may hook one up in the uppipe or intercooler area.

Can't go wrong with Omega stuff a little pricey but good quality, even though they simply rebadge stuff usually.

For an unlit meter you might get away with a blue or white LED wired to provide illumination at night. A very nice high output low current device is easily available at Radio Shack.

 

[Two Lane]

Have you considered a 2 1/16" Autometer pyrometer (0-1600) gauge?

 

[strikeeagle]

Street racing, at night, using EGTs. So what do you do, tweak your Felpro at the next red light?

Must be evolution...

 

[Intercooler]

Actually the Tenma unit I had from PTE was backlit in blue. It is nice but for free I will deal with looking at my unlit one in the pits when I get back

 

[Turbo 6 Justin]

if those last few were ment for me, I don't like the small autometer gauges cause we tent to tune way towards the big end of them and the resolution is not nearly the same as a good digital gauge.

great if type K is type K and I already have everything run I should be all set to go, just order the new readout gauge (test the acuracy compared to the old one) and I am ready to rock at night. let me get this right though does type K mean the connector stye, the volts/milivolts or whatever it reads scale or something else?

and as far as tuning at the next red light..... you got it I always carry 200lb of baggage with me that I call my buddy. What numbers are we seeing on the base fuel? okay take this up 2 this 3 and cut this one 1? lets see how that feels and runs. are these things ever finished? the fun thing is to put in a completely new base fuel program and let them play with it on their own (with me driving of course) the phrase 'hey dude look at the exhaust you think maybe we need a little less fuel' comes to mind

 

[J Banning]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Intercooler: You got your probe and wires from SMC, correct?

All others: Of the two (Omega & Tenma), which is the better unit? If both are backlit that's cool... I'd really like to have a backlit display.

I looked at the 51 Series II unit that Fluke has now ( http://www.fluke.com/products/home.asp?SID=15&AGID=5&PID=21454 ), but it's $150+. There's some other ones on ebay, but none have the backlit option.

Grainger.com has the Fluke 51. Very nice, but at $169 it's beyond my price range.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productdetail.jsp?xi=xi&ItemId=1611777205

Thanks,
-Banning.

 

[Louie L.]

I use the Extech unit with a single input.It has a back light and BIG number display. I bought it from Radio Shack on sale for 65.00. Its a good meter and its priced right !!!

I have a westach K probe which was purchased through Aerospruce .com. I personally dont like the westach egt probe cause it looks kinda cheap & delicate, but it works well, certainly as good as more expensive probes.I believe it was 32.00 shipped.

model 421501

 

[Intercooler]

Banning,

I got the header clamp for the probe, K probe and long wire length to run it inside the car from SMC for $39.00.


LL,

Are any of the Extech's backlit?

 

[J Banning]

Only the cheaper of the two Extech's are backlit (#421501)...
http://www.extech.com/WhatsNew/PDF_datasheet/Datasheets_English/421501_502.pdf

However, you can't order from the manufacturer (just like Tenma) so you have to locate a distributor. Both sites have listings though.

It looks like Grainger sells them. Go to www.grainger.com and search for "4PC59" (grainger's part number).

See a complete listing of their digital thermometers here:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/searchresults.jsp?xi=xi


I still think I'm leaning towards the Omega.

-Banning.

 

[J Banning]

Looks like I'm leaning towards the Omega HH501AK ($75).

What is a "Differential Thermocouple Input"?

-Banning.

 

[J Banning]

Because I wanted to get this set up and running this weekend, I ended up getting the Extech 421501 from my local Grainger store ($89).

It is a one channel thermometer and has a backlit display.

It's also in their online catalog:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productdetail.jsp?xi=xi&ItemId=1611772996

If I wanted to spend more, I'd definately get the Fluke 51 (About $160). The fit and finish looks a lot nicer compared to the Extech, plus it has a dual line display which looks like you can view the current temp and max temp at the same time. The only problem I saw with this is that it might be a little harder for me to mount it above the radio pod (between the A/C vents). The Extech (and several others) have a soft rubber sleeve that protects the unit. To secure it, I plan to run a band of velcro or a zip-tie through this sleeve and into the A/C vents.

Hope this info helps.
Banning.

 

[TurboD1987]

Originally posted by Intercooler
Banning,
After stumbling on a model 52 Fluke at work that had dual input, no backlighting and also having min/max record 52 Fluke and you

Intercooler I would suggest you talk your company into buying the new series 2 Fluke 52 because it does have the back lighting. I haven't installed mine yet but also bought the probe and wire from SMC. I don't think my company deals with SMC. LOL!
Dave
P.S. here is a meter just like mine that sold on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1734663539

 

[Intercooler]

We just do surface temp. measurements with it so they will not spring for anything new. The yellow sticks out like a sore thumb. My unit is a brown/gray color and looks at home

 

[GN SBS]

Pay attention to the reading rate!

Let me add a note to this very good post-- when considering different thermometers, be sure to look at the reading rate as it varies considerably across units.

For example, the Extech 421501 reads 2.5 times per second.

I thought I'd found a nice affordable substitute in EA-10/15 both of which have data logging capabilities, but these only read once every 1.5 seconds (Omega units read 1x per second). So in an 11 second pass you'd get only 7 data points. This would add some fuzziness to the max reading as well and it could miss the hottest temps at the top of the run depending on when the last read interval started.

Edit: Note that I just corresponded with Fluke and their 50 Series II Thermometers take 7 readings / sec for the one input versions and 6 readings / sec for the two input versions. This likely explains some of the price difference between Fluke and the other brands.

Anyone have other fast-reading units like the Extech mentioned above with a few more features (alarm, avg. reading, RS-232 data recording)?

Scott

And here's a link to the Extech list of thermometers:
http://www.extech.com/instrument/categories/thermo/subcategory/thermocouple.html

 

[GN SBS]

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[J Banning]

I'd like to add an update to the Extech 421501 that I purchased.

Actually I've purchased two (2) of these units. Both of which I've been having problems with. When I set the unit to record MAX EGT and launch the car at the track, or hard on the street the unit resets itself and gives me a "OL" error.

If I do NOT select MAX and run the EGT in "realtime" this does not happen.

Just my $02.