water temp gauge

Post by **tyler440** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:52 am

does anyone else have problems with their water temp guage not working at all? i am really wondering if anyone is using an aftermarket one and what size or model it is... i was at advance auto about 2 months ago and the only gauges they had, had like a 10 foot "wire" to the sensor (no good) summit racing has a million and im sure one would work but i dont know what i need....

Donnie · Post by **Donnie** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:43 pm

It isn't that your gauge isn't working, it doesn't read low enough. I thought mine was bad so I replaced it with a digital gauge from Cyberdyne electronics. Turns out that my water temp while running was about 92 degrees. The stock gauge doesn't even move until over 100 degrees. If you order one in the same diameter, there is no cutting. The probe needs an adapter available at most auto parts stores. Then measure as much wire as you want to hook it up. There is one catch. It needs 12V DC current whereas our sleds run on 12V AC. You can go through the process of making a bridge rectifier to convert it, but I just ran the wires under the seat and into the luggage bay where I hook it to a 12V battery about the size of a PowerWheels toy car. It is about the same type of battery found in Backup Power Supplies.

After just getting my sled back together, I turned that on and ran the sled around the yard. To avoid my thermostat issue, I removed it and just left the housing. The sled runs at 92 degrees while moving and about 99 while sitting still. When you shut it off, the temp creeps up to about 120.

I will try to get you a picture of it.

Here's the Cyberdyne products page
http://www.cyberdynegauges.net/temperat ... roduct.php

Donnie

Undertaker#13 · Post by **Undertaker#13** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:08 pm

To avoid my thermostat issue, I removed it and just left the housing! Donnie I did the same, I havn't run a thermostat in over 11years and have never had a problem! Tim Bender told me to take the thermostat out and toss it away because I didn't need it. I just let it warm up a little longer

Post by **Vmax540** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:28 am

Ditto ! ! !

Undertaker#13 wrote:To avoid my thermostat issue, I removed it and just left the housing! Donnie I did the same, I havn't run a thermostat in over 11years and have never had a problem! Tim Bender told me to take the thermostat out and toss it away because I didn't need it. I just let it warm up a little longer

Post by **tyler440** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:09 am

hmmm that makes sense... because before i installed my temp gauge i tested it in boiling water and it worked... but i never seen it move once i installed it... 99 degrees doesnt seem very warm, but i suppose you are right

jipcee · Post by **jipcee** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:30 pm

We have 3 V-Max's that we run every year, full time trail sleds.
The sleds all will rarely show a temp. on the gauge.
BUT, ride the sled when it is 40 degrees and the snow is melting then we will see rising temps on the gauge.
P.S. Be careful in warm weather, we've choked a couple in this weather.

Donnie · Post by **Donnie** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:30 pm

If you read in the service manual how to test the thermostat, you will see that it says it starts to open at 104 - 113 degrees F and full open at 140 degrees F. Running in snow with the snow hitting the rear cooler and going through the radiator, I could see how you would never see the temperature go up on the gauge. I really like my digital setup even though I had to run wires for a battery. I will post those pictures real soon for everyone to see.

Donnie

dave · Post by **dave** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:15 pm

Some one put a Auto meter mechanical gauge in my 87. They glued and clamp the sensor into the orginal yamaha water pipe. It's crude but it dosen't leak. The gauge starts at 140 so it's only use is to tell me when the sleds running hot but it does work. Auto Meter has a gauge that reads from 100 to 200 degrees which is alittle better. So if you can find a mechanical gauge with a good range it should work. Mine also has a long lead so I tied it up under the dash. Not ideal but it looks OK. Ive been thinking maybe it would be better to replace the water temp with a exhaust temp. From what I've read on this site cooling dosen't seem to be a problem for the V-max. So keeping a eye on the exhaust might be better. Just a thought.