exploding sensor wtf happened?
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5
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From: TN
exploding sensor wtf happened? hey guys im wondering if anybody can explain what i did wrong. i have an ls1 in a 69 c10. im using stock gauges. i bought an adapter and a sending unit from speedway to hook up stock my temp gauge. b4 i put it in i wanted to test it. i hooked the sending unit to the wire from the gauge and i grounded the sending unit to the block. i was gonna get a lighter and heat up the sending unit to make sure the gauge worked, but b4 i even got that far the sending unit exploded. lol it only took about 10 seconds. how did i screw this up? any help is appreciated
Was the from the gague Positive or neg ?.... The Gauge should expect variable ground depending on the temp from the sender. If you gave the sensor Positive 12V..I could see what you found out as a result of the +12v to the sender.
BC
BC
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10
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From: GRAND MARAIS, MN
That sensor is a ground sensor. Your gauge will be supplied with voltage key on and as the sensor heats up it changes the resistance of the ground. Hooking 12v to it was like touching jumper cables together, something had to pop.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10
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From: GRAND MARAIS, MN
You can test the sensor with a multi meter set to continuity. Test the continuity between the sensor body and the one spade at room temp. Now heat up a pan of water and set the sensor tip in it an watch the continuity change.
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Launching!
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: SC
Something doesn't add up. Sounds like a defective part. A standard TS6 type sending unit reads over 300 ohms at 100 degrees. Even with 12V right on it it should not hurt it. Back at the gauge you have a coil so it will essentially delay current flow by producing EMF (which is the magnetism that moves the needle) so current will slowly start to flow at the sending unit until full V/R current. That's why it didn't blow immediately. If it blew i think I'd also be checking the instrumentation fuse. The other side of your gauge has 12V across a fixed resistor and coil at all times.