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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Car Audio / August 2005Amplifier Temperature Gauge... Thoughts?
I've been thinking about installing a temperature gauge to moniter my amplifier. So far the cheapest one I've been able to locate (after many hours of internet searching) has been a cyberdyne model which, before shipping and tax, comes out to $67.97 with the gauge and sender. What I'm hoping is that someone here knows of A)a cheaper gauge and sender out there, or B)a relatively inexpensive alternate way to do this. It doesn't have to look too terribly pretty; for example, I've looked into using something awfully close to a kitchen/cooking temperature gauge... Here's the hard part with this idea: I would like to power it with the vehicles electrical system NOT a battery of its own. Any takers? I'd love some input on this... ~Mister.Lull Yikes. Kinda pricey. What's a sender? Is that the read-out device? What's the application exactly? And how accurate do you need it to be? > I've been thinking about installing a temperature gauge to moniter my > amplifier. So far the cheapest one I've been able to locate (after [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > ~Mister.Lull The sender is the piece that actually affixes to the amplifier (via a wire from the gauge) in order to *take* the temperature reading. The actual read-out device is a round gauge with a digital display. I'm not too picky on what the read-out looks like (analog, digital, backlit, front lit, I don't care). As far as the accuracy I suppose it would have to be fairly accurate, but not 'calibrated by rocket scientists' accurate... The whole idea is simply to see what temperature my amp is running at while driving down the road. I feel that this *should* be able to be done for cheaper... You know? ~Mister.Lull > The sender is the piece that actually affixes to the amplifier (via a > wire from the gauge) in order to *take* the temperature reading. The [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > while driving down the road. I feel that this *should* be able to be > done for cheaper... You know? The expensive part is the readout. A simple thermistor could probably do the job for you just fine. Or, even simpler, hook two leads up to the thermistor already present in your amp (after calibrating your reader appropriately). Thermocouples might also work, I guess. The problem with these options are that you need to convert the electrical signal into a temperature number. So, while it may be only pennies to measure the temperature, it's more than that to read it out. Anyway, have you tried the regular places? Digikey? Jameco? MCM Electronics? Parts Express? Omega? You're right, the sender itself is only $15.00 or so, the actual gauge is the expensive part. I'm still pretty new to this whole car audio business; The only one of those names that I've ever heard of is Parts Express - though I did give Radio Shack a try... I'll give those that you listed a try. As most newbies, I would rather not take my amp apart. At this point, I'm actually thinking that something like a kitchen thermometer (with a longer wire attached) and a big fat pack of watch batteries (to power it when it dies constantly) might be the easiest option... I do like the way you think... Any other ideas? ~Mister.Lull I think I just caught something that we're speaking differently about: I'm only talking about taking the external temp of the amp. I figure I can mount a sensor (sender) of some sort on the bottom of the amp, between the amp and whatever it's mounted on. It's not some sort of integration between the amp and the gauge, it's supposed to be universal. Hope that helps with the flowing of more ideas... ~Mister.Lull > I think I just caught something that we're speaking differently about: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > ~Mister.Lull $125 too much? http://www.cardomain.com/item/ATM6392  SignatureI. Care Address fake until the SPAM goes away ;-} Since $67.97 is, I would assume so. Otherwise I would have mentioned Stinger's STEMPG2 gauge that's around $70 also (depending on where you purchase). Brandonb > $125 too much? > > http://www.cardomain.com/item/ATM6392 you might want to also try a pet store. I picked up a thermometer for my son's gecko, and it cost $32 with the sender and the digital readout. I don't know what temp range you would be looking at though. >I think I just caught something that we're speaking differently about: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > ~Mister.Lull "Any other ideas?" What's wrong with just using an indoor/outdoor thermometer like you'd put on your coffee table to keep track of the temperature inside and/or outside your house? You could take the thing apart and make whatever modifications you needed to. Tony Signature2001 Nissan Maxima SE Anniversary Edition Clarion DRZ9255 Head Unit, Phoenix Gold ZX475ti, ZX450 and ZX500 Amplifiers, Phoenix Gold EQ-232 30-Band EQ, Dynaudio System 360 Tri-Amped In Front and Focal 130HCs For Rear Fill, Image Dynamics IDMAX10 D4 v.3 Sub 2001 Chevy S10 ZR2 Pioneer DEH-P9600MP Head Unit, Phoenix Gold Ti500.4 Amp, Focal 165HC Speakers & Image Dynamics ID8 D4 v.3 Sub How about Radio Shack? >> The sender is the piece that actually affixes to the amplifier (via a >> wire from the gauge) in order to *take* the temperature reading. The [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >Anyway, have you tried the regular places? Digikey? Jameco? MCM >Electronics? Parts Express? Omega? Spike 1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior; Vintage 40 16" rims w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A gForce Radial 225/50ZR16 KDWS skins; surround sound audio-video. Gad shat fools these morons be.... i've considered hooking up my multimeter which has a temp probe with it, to my amp and to the motor on one of my subs. I'd like to know what a normal running temp is on them both. > How about Radio Shack? > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Gad shat fools these morons be.... > i've considered hooking up my multimeter which has a temp probe with it, > to my amp and to the motor on one of my subs. I'd like to know what a > normal running temp is on them both. HOT! DAMN HOT!! That means that your systems pumping niceNloud! >> i've considered hooking up my multimeter which has a temp probe with it, >> to my amp and to the motor on one of my subs. I'd like to know what a >> normal running temp is on them both. > > HOT! DAMN HOT!! That means that your systems pumping niceNloud! Nah seriously, Id tend to just find out what they run at when at around 3/4 Volume and not mounted to carpet or anything. Carpet or mounting in an enclosed space like under a seat etc will seriously affect the heat dissapation properties. If its getting to hot to touch or its thermalling heaps try mount elsewhere or put a small 12Volt fan on its heat sinks etc. Best way to mount an amp is fins vertical and exposed to air flow (preferably cool air). The cooler the amp the more efficient, the more efficient the harder it will run. Subs should run cool to the touch, when they are getting quite warm it may be time to externally cool them via fans etc. Hope that helps some. > The cooler the amp the more efficient, the more efficient the harder it > will run. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Hope that helps some. Something thats a good Idea that I forgot to add was if you have ducted A/C vents under yoru seats like my Toyota configue the vents to run A/C cooled air over the fins. They actually run way better cool with less current draw. Thanks for your input... ~Mister.Lull > The sender is the piece that actually affixes to the amplifier (via a > wire from the gauge) in order to *take* the temperature reading. The [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > ~Mister.Lull I'm curious as why you need to know the temp of the amp. What would you do with that information? Turn it off if it gets too hot? I. Care - Yes, that's too much. Mark - It's a JBL BP150.1, which I'm pretty sure does have protect. The amp will be mounted in a fairly small space, and what I'd like to see is what the temp *is* if/when it goes into protect. Then I can see what the most effective way to ventilate the area will be. Plus, yes, I think it would look kinda cool. Tony F. - I like your thinking, can you name some stores I might look for something like that at? Spike - I already tried Radio Shack, they didn't seem to have anything I was looking for; at any price... Mike - Way to think outside the box!! I'll look into this, but I am also going to keep an eye on the temperature range on something like that. Bruce Chang - See my answer to Mark above. Thank you all for your input!!! ~Mister.Lull > I. Care - Yes, that's too much. > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > ~Mister.Lull I have an infrared thermometer that I would just wait til it went into protect and zap it with it. If it never goes into protect, you wouldn't need the digital read out anyhow. Seems kind of a moot point unless you actually need it. If it's just for show then that's completely different. -Bruce "Seems kind of a moot point unless you actually need it. If it's just for show then that's completely different." Not completely different. Functionality coupled with aesthetic appeal. You are partly right however, it isn't needed to the tune of $70.00... But if it can be done for less, and not look completely ghetto, then I will do it. ~Mister.Lull "Tony F. - I like your thinking, can you name some stores I might look for something like that at?" I see them just about everywhere...Walmart, Kmart, Radio Shack, Shopko, Home Depot etc. If you want a specific unit then Amazon.com would be a good place to start because they have a huge selection and some detailed specs to boot - not to mention reviews. Oregon Scientific is the brand name I was thinking of, although there are many others. Some are even cordless...how easy would that be!! Tony Signature2001 Nissan Maxima SE Anniversary Edition Clarion DRZ9255 Head Unit, Phoenix Gold ZX475ti, ZX450 and ZX500 Amplifiers, Phoenix Gold EQ-232 30-Band EQ, Dynaudio System 360 Tri-Amped In Front and Focal 130HCs For Rear Fill, Image Dynamics IDMAX10 D4 v.3 Sub 2001 Chevy S10 ZR2 Pioneer DEH-P9600MP Head Unit, Phoenix Gold Ti500.4 Amp, Focal 165HC Speakers & Image Dynamics ID8 D4 v.3 Sub Does anybody know (roughly, of coarse) how hot I should expect an amp to get before/during protect mode? I'm probably going to get laughed at, but should it be any higher than 158 degrees Fareneit (70 degrees Celsius)? I think I found a product that would work, but that's as high as it will measure... ~Mister.Lull > I've been thinking about installing a temperature gauge to moniter my > amplifier. So far the cheapest one I've been able to locate (after What make/model amp? Most amps these days have thermal protection that shuts down the amplifier to prevent damage when it's driven too hard or is not adequately ventilated. Or are you just interested in the 'show-factor' of having another gauge? :-) Cheers. > many hours of internet searching) has been a cyberdyne model which, > before shipping and tax, comes out to $67.97 with the gauge and sender. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > ~Mister.Lull Hey Mister.Lull Did you see the thread posted on 08-29 titled: "Fwd: New Product Release"? Tony Signature2001 Nissan Maxima SE Anniversary Edition Clarion DRZ9255 Head Unit, Phoenix Gold ZX475ti, ZX450 and Xenon X1200.1 Amplifiers, Dynaudio System 360 Tri-Amped In Front and Focal 130HCs For Rear Fill, Image Dynamics IDMAX10 D4 v.3 Sub 2001 Chevy S10 ZR2 Pioneer DEH-P9600MP Head Unit, Phoenix Gold Ti500.4 Amp, Focal 165HC Speakers & Image Dynamics ID8 D4 v.3 Sub > Hey Mister.Lull > > Did you see the thread posted on 08-29 titled: "Fwd: New Product Release"? > > Tony He already complained that $125 was too much let alone $400. SignatureI. Care Address fake until the SPAM goes away ;-} Thanks for the thought, but yeah $400.00 is far FAR too much. Plus that system is built for monitering four amplifiers, and I only want to track 1 amp. ~Mister.Lull After the talking about this i went ahead and tried hooking my multimeter's temp gauge up to the amp, worked like a charm and the amp went up to about 110 which i don't think is too hot at all considering the outside temp was about 90. Now i just have to find someone with really small arms so they can reach inside my sub box and stick the probe on the sub's motor, lol. > Thanks for the thought, but yeah $400.00 is far FAR too much. Plus > that system is built for monitering four amplifiers, and I only want to > track 1 amp. > > ~Mister.Lull |
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