Temp sending unit

[Jimmy]

In the process of installing temp/oil pressure warning system. Not a chance of getting the old temp. sending unit out tonight, as I don't want to risk snapping it off. It won't budge. Paint would suggest it has never been removed.
Can I simply forgo this part and use only the oil pressure portion as per normal?
If I'm going to snap something - I want to do it on the hard/ in the fall, however as I have a tendancy to kill coils, I want the reminder the buzzer will provide

Cheers
Jimmy( The coil killer )

[hanleyclifford]

Jimmy - This would be a good time to acquire a 1/2" NPT tap for your toolbox. Go ahead with a six point socket and get that sender out or break it. Drill and tap the hole for the new sender.

[ndutton]

Can I simply forgo this part and use only the oil pressure portion as per normal?

Yes. As for being a coil killer, don't think you're the first. Or the last.

[tenders]

> If I'm going to snap something - I want to do it on the hard/ in the fall...

I don't think you're going to snap anything even with a cheater bar on your closed-end wrench but I agree with this sentiment. If you've gone this many years without a temperature alarm, you can go the rest of the season.

[msmith10]

I installed one of these many years ago so I don't remember the details, but can you hook the alarm sensor wire to the same terminal as the boat's temp gauge? The alarm portion may be located in the sensor that comes with the alarm, in which case it won't work properly, but it may be worth a try.

[tenders]

I think the sensors are different. In my setup I had to install a T - one arm of the T to the temperature gauge sensor, one arm of the T to the high temp alarm sensor.

[ndutton]

Tenders is correct, they're different. The gauge sender is a variable resistor aka thermistor, the alarm sensor is a temperature activated switch (no resistance).

[ArtJ]

Would the sender unit come out easier with a hot engine that has just been
running?

[DDO]

Coil killers?

So since I'm having to replace coils frequently, and I see this phrase "coil killer", do tell me what it means. What causes the coil failures? If the idea here is overheating problems, then I guess I am not get the usual signs of overheating and should replace my temp gauge/ sensor/ and alarm. Suggestions?

[roadnsky]

So since I'm having to replace coils frequently, and I see this phrase "coil killer", do tell me what it means. What causes the coil failures?

Uhhh, very long and bloody story.
Probably better if you go visit the thread than to re-hash it here...

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5748&highlight=coil+input

[Jimmy]

Not me this time

For the record I only referred to the coil , and technically didn't even bring it up ....think I'll sit on the side lines and watch
( DDO ....I wasn't being to diligent about turning off the ignition if/ when the motor was off. )

Cheers
Jimmy

[edwardc]

So since I'm having to replace coils frequently, and I see this phrase "coil killer", do tell me what it means. What causes the coil failures? If the idea here is overheating problems, then I guess I am not get the usual signs of overheating and should replace my temp gauge/ sensor/ and alarm. Suggestions?

It's the coil itself that's overheating, not the engine. The gauge wont show it.

The quick cliff-notes summary is that coil overheating and subsequent failure is brought about by a combination of a coil with too low a resistance and an electronic ignition with its increased dwell time. These two factors cause the average coil current to be too high, and the subsequent dissipation of this energy causes the coil temperature to climb too high.

[jhwelch]

Just for fun I once bought a $15 thermostat that you stick on the glass in your car, with the sensor pickup on a very long wire. In my case I taped the pickup to the raw water thru-hull, so had a way to measure ocean temperature.

Maybe you could do this same trick for the coil, if the sensor will read that high.

-Jonathan

[sastanley]

Jonathon, I use a similar one of those for charging my car A/C systems, except I think mine was designed as a windowsill inside temp & stick the sensor on the outside pane of glass for outside temp.

The cord is just long enough to make it to a vent in the dash, and then I set the 'base' unit in front of the condenser, so I can compare ambient & vent temps, along with my refrigerant levels.

Great idea!