<VV> Thermister Swap?

MarK Durham 62vair at gmail.com
Sat Aug 30 00:10:46 EDT 2014


Great detail Frank. I wonder if a resister of some sort could be used to
get the gauge right in the normal operating range. Another option is to
install the new gauge that matches the new probe in place of the old one.
There are classic car gauge shops that can do that kind of work.
Mark Durham Hauser Idaho.
62 Coupe Red/Red
On Aug 29, 2014 7:58 PM, "Frank DuVal via VirtualVairs" <
virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:

> Let's see where to start, OK, an article on troubleshooting a Corsa gives:
>
> With the engine cold, the reading should be 5000+ ohms. An engine running
> at normal temps can range from 500 (300F) to 750 (225F) in Ohms. Lower than
> 500 ohms simply means your engine is getting hotter than normal. Running
> the engine for a good 20-30 min usually hits 300F or so, but is stable at
> that temp. A lot of stop and go driving, heavy traffic congestion may force
> it higher. Running the engine for only 15 min will barely get the temp to
> 200F (1000 ohms) and your gauge may not even reflect it. Ohm readings of
> 310 or less indicate the engine is reaching 400F or over. Less than 200
> Ohms indicates engine temp is 450F +. The range of the gauge is from 200F
> (1000 ohms) to 600F (100 ohms). At 5000 Ohms, the temp is 70F. At 575F, the
> alarm will go off.
>
> And I found this info on  robinsonheli.com   for CHT probe 3080-38:
>
> 200 °F is 745 ohms
> 475 °F is 38 ohms
> 500 °F is 32 ohms
>
> So, it is a thermistor, but the range looks really off at higher
> temperatures. Somewhat close around 200 °F. At normal driving temperatures,
> the gauge will read over temperature.
>
> Frank DuVal
>
> On 8/29/2014 10:28 PM, John Beck via VirtualVairs wrote:
>
>> Wow, it does look like a thermistor rather than a thermocouple.  I saw
>> photos but no data sheet.  I wonder if the curve is anything like the
>> Corvairs.  I thought about rebuilding some DOS (dead old stock) ones about
>> ten years ago and couldn't find any bare, off the shelf thermistors that
>> were close to the original curve. Building additional electronics to match
>> the curve seemed like way to much work so I lost interest.   This unit
>> looks like they had the Corvair sensor in mind when they designed it.
>> --J.B.
>>
>> Patrick via VirtualVairs wrote:
>>
>>> To all, I have discovered that the connecting shaft or tip  on my
>>> thermister spins freely. I cannot tighten the small nut on the wire. In
>>> addition, I
>>> have no reading at all on the gauge and I am  unable to gain any
>>> resistance
>>> when I do an Ohm test on the unit. I am thinking  that whatever wiring
>>> the
>>> tip is connected to beneath the porcelain has  broken resulting in a
>>> failed
>>> thermister.
>>>
>>> Now, I have located used original AC ones (tested) for around $80, and
>>> there is a NOS thermister on eBay now for $400. Interestingly, as  I
>>> researched
>>> even further I have found info on a Rochester 3080-38 TEMPERATURE PROBE
>>> referenced from a FlyCorvair.com article on head temps.  In the aircraft
>>> catalog mentioned in the article their  Rochester thermister/temp probe
>>> has a
>>> temp rating from 250F - 550F  degrees, and it has 3/8 24 thread size,
>>> the same
>>> as the one I recovered from my  Spyder. Also, it appears DC because it is
>>> used in light aircraft  perhaps Corvair powered too. Cost of the new
>>> Rochester
>>> temperature  probe is $80.
>>>
>>> Question: Will this thermister work in my Spyder, is it compatible  with
>>> the factory gauge and CHT opening on the head?
>>>
>>> (I do not have the measurements of the Rochester temp probe but it looks
>>> very close to our AC unit from the picture in the catalog)
>>>
>>> Patrick
>>> 64 Spyder Coupe
>>> Metro Detroit, MI
>>>
>>>
>>>  _______________________________________________
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