Temperature Sender

[simon.b]

I changed over to the second sender at the weekend (my original started playing up) and what a difference the gauge behaves like any other car now. Moves quickly up to 50 then steadily creeps up to just over 70 and after a while as she starts to get hot the fans hold it around 80.

I just used a fixed 180Ω resistor with a red bullet on one end and spade on the other wrapped in heat shrink.

So what is the top sender unit, is it a standard rover 3.9 item that TVR just left in ? I’ve always assumed the numbers quoted on various lists are for the one on the end of that lump of brass.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Chimjunkie]

Have the same problem with mine. The smaller spare temp sender is the original rover one. This has a different temperature profile and i think is not simply corrected by an offset resister. Using a resistor like you have would only make the gauge read accurately at one temperature. Wont be accurate at overheat end of scale. Please correct me if wrong.

Jon.

[david beer]

It is different, but many many have switched. It still shows hot when hot and in any case, my original TVR sender had a resistor in series ! It also doesnt under read on a cold day as its in water !

[jonathant]

I feel that the important thing is to set it such that "normal" is say 90C and if it starts creeping over this then it's time to worry - particular if the fans aren't coming on.

[spend]

Temp gauge is only an 'indicator' anyway not a sensitive calibrated instrument IMHO. The temps vary around the engine they are all in a state of flux - as long the gauge gives you an idea of what is going on, and is consistent rather than accurate... Davids well documented point about the alternate sensor being in a better location is probably the most significant factor. I think we sometimes tend to get a little close to bragging rights over temperature claims tho (I still really want that tongue-in-cheek smiley!) To coin a phrase 'absolute means nothing - relative is everything'

Dave

[mrmaggit]

I've just fitted Dave Beers mod to that sender over the weekend, and it works, even allowing for my luddite "twiddling".

Loads easier than the "proper" sender, which on my 500 is hidden behind the distributor.

[uncle fester]

david beer said:

It is different, but many many have switched.!

David.
Do you mean that many have switched to using the other existing sensor, or switched their sensor for one of the right profile?
If the latter, then please give details of part no. suppliers, ect.