Explain the gauge...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
gauges 101
Electrical gauges have a sending unit, wire between, and the gauge itself is electrical. Electrical resistance in the sending unit is measured by the gauge on the dash. Examples of electrical gauges are fuel, water temp, oil pressure, clock, tachometer, speedometer and ammeter or voltage gauge. They all can be electric. Speedometer, Tachometer. vacuum gauge, oil pressure, and water temperature can also be found to be mechanical. The gauge is acted upon to move the needle by mechanical force or pressure. Example if the water temperature gauge is mechanical heat from the water in the block expands alcohol in a capillary tube to expand that is attached to the dash gauge causing the needle to move. The "sweep" on the gauge refers to the distance the needle on the gauge face travels usually in an arc. The full sweep moves the needle around similar to the hands on a watch face. Almost full travel on the dial. Most generally electrical guages are preferred to mechanical because their ease of installation and less chance of breaking any tubes or lines. A good example of a common mechanical guage still in use in a lot of cars is the speedometer. But a lot of the newer cars are going electrical on the speedometer as well.
