in-line water temperature gauges?

[Frosty]

Has anyone ever used an in-line water temp gage in their cooling lines (either from the head or pipe) to measure bypass water temperature? If so, what types did you use and from where did you buy it? I am wondering if this can help with tuning to an optimum engine operation temperature.

I am running dual cooling, but I have no idea what my cylinder temps are running at. And with water temps being pretty cold in the north (during spring) I would like to know how much bypass line restriction I should put in to keep temps at the right spot. Right now I just guess, and either put a main jet in one or two head bypass lines, or sometimes just block one head line off completely until the water warms into the 60's.

 

[WaveDemon]

I like that idea. I was just going to hold a thermometer infront of the pisser.

 

[Freestyleriverrat]

That would be nice.......if you were just running one line out of the head you could mount the temp guage right on the head........I would look for a liquid filled guage so the needle does not bounce everywhere.

 

[Frosty]

Looks like I'll have to do a little research.

 

[bad93blaster]

i thought of this before and even bought a infered lazer temp gage i was wondering more on the pipe but all factory was sizzle. so kinda gave up. never really thought of the cooling temp

 

[Proformance1]

Also what is optimal operating temp. on a 2 stroke motor, at the engine?

 

[Mark44]

I like my cylinder to run 130 deg. F I just hold a thermometer at the pissers and check there. I test the exhaust temp by feel.

Mark44

 

[Freestyleriverrat]

I have heard that 120 is the ideal temp. My rule of thub is the water comming out of the pisser should be tolerable to the touch, not scalding hot but not luke warm either. About like putting you hand in a hot tub.

 

[SJ/XPBri]

This is actually very easy to do, all you need to do is "T" in a temperature sending unit from any application. ex. a temp sending unit from a car, or better yet they make temp sending units in 1/8" NPT threads, then link it to a gauge (you could actually mount it in the front part of the tray)
Here's some gauges to choose from, and the sending units:
http://www.livorsi.com/index.htm
These are pretty high dollar units for marine applications, I'll do a bit more research on finding smaller/cheaper ones.
Bri

 

[#ZERO]

It would be nice if someone would make a waterproof digital thermometer with multiple temperature probes and a recording feature, but I have yet to find one. There are a few different external probe thermometers on the market but most have a sample rate of 5 to 10 seconds. They have to be potted in silicone or put in some type of waterproof enclosure for them to stay operational. I found some digital aquarium thermometers on eBay with a min/max recording feature and alarm for $13.89 plus shipping. They work well for testing purposes, when using restrictors in line for temperature adjustments. I use one with a plastic T-fitting that presses into the end of the water bypass and the stainless steel T-fitting style is for mounting inline. The S3 clear waterproof enclosure came from eBay too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Max-Min...itemZ7766473028QQcategoryZ93679QQcmdZViewItem
.

 

[SJ/XPBri]

Here are some cheap marine application gauges:
http://www.boatersland.com/farprored.html

The water temperature specific ones all seem to start at 100 degrees, they do make a cylinder head temp gauge that ranges from 60 to 240 degrees- I do not know how well it would work on a PWC though.
Bri

 

[#ZERO]

I like that idea. I was just going to hold a thermometer infront of the pisser.

Duct tape a probe thermometer to your water bypass fitting, it worked for me until it fell off. :banghead:

Lots of duct tape on the hull and angling them upward is the key keeping them on. :biggrin:

 

[Frosty]

cool... lots of good ideas here. Thanks guys.

 

[djyox]

Also, can use those computer temp gauges for liquid cooled PCs, they have in line temp gauges.

Also a T spliced inline and a little extra hose with a probe just touching the main flow inside the hose and T, 5200 it in the extra hose and T, and TODA! Rock on!








No idea if it will work or not, but sounds like it should....untill it gets wet if you don't get a waterproof that is.... But I have seen things like this done for reef fish tanks before...