Transmission temp gauge

Actually there is a link on the Ashcroft UK website to a US company that make
a multi gauge/alarm panel and it has a transmission monitor that you wrap around the cooler line. I wonder if this would pick up sudden changes in fluid temps such as when towing up steeps hill etc, better than nothing I suppose?
Photograph

Another option is a TM2 monitor ($150) on ebay and just wrap the lug around the cooler line with a stainless hose clip to secure.
ENGINE WATCHDOG TM2 COOLANT TEMP SENSOR, GAUGE & ALARM (eBay item 130494789337 end time 06-Apr-11 11:04:25 AEST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

discomark do you think that the TM2 would be sufficient as they go up 125 degree's which is 257 Fahrenheit I beginning to think that it should be just enough to help keep an eye on things.

although I don't mind the look of the those digi panels

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Originally Posted by THEBORDERDOG

discomark do you think that the TM2 would be sufficient as they go up 125 degree's which is 257 Fahrenheit I beginning to think that it should be just enough to help keep an eye on things.

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It would be better if it went to 300f but at 257f I think that is when you would need to take evasive action like stopping for a while to cool down. I'm thinking of buying one and if its not suitable for the transmission I can always use it on the motor instead. Or I could spend a bit more and buy the multi gauge unit :confused:

Already have one set up on the engine (sensor on top of the head under the cover) and today peaked at 97degres Celsius :o before it started to go back down (must be when the thermostat opened up) was starting to think I would have to stop a check it out.

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Originally Posted by THEBORDERDOG

although I don't mind the look of the those digi panels

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Another option is to drill a hole in the floor and point one of these at the gearbox :D
IR Non-Contact Pocket Thermometer - Jaycar Electronics

They measure up to 428f, Actually it would probably be ok to take some benchmark measurements such as the difference when your towing and not towing and up hill etc. Could point it at the inlet to the transmission cooler.

no personally I don't think that would work as the air that would be rushing past it at speed?????? I'll stick to the original thought and go with a TM2 at 125 Celsius like you say its enough to make you think of poor old auto.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THEBORDERDOG

no personally I don't think that would work as the air that would be rushing past it at speed?????? I'll stick to the original thought and go with a TM2 at 125 Celsius like you say its enough to make you think of poor old auto.

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I don't think air rushing past would affect the non contact thermo's as they use a laser, my point though was to only use for a benchmark when you are stopped as they are pretty accurate. The other two gauge options are best for monitoring temps while you drive which is what you want anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THEBORDERDOG

no personally I don't think that would work as the air that would be rushing past it at speed?????? I'll stick to the original thought and go with a TM2 at 125 Celsius like you say its enough to make you think of poor old auto.

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On an infrared based measurement it only shows the temp of the surface it is contacting, so long as you don't chrome the gearbox and make it reflective it would be fairly accurate, keep in mind that the surface temp will be a few degrees lower than the internal temp.

I use a similar infrared temp gauge in the garage, works great for tons of things.

Mud and grit may be an issue though for permanent mounting.

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Originally Posted by clubagreenie

Not wanting to question since I asked but 212f is 100c and that seems very low.

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100c really isn't that low, most cast alloys for example are tempered at around 150c.

If you get 2 snug fitting pieces of metal and heat one in boiling water you will find that if you heat the outer piece of metal the inner one slips in much easier and vice versa.

Edit:
Forgot the most important part.
Transmission fluid...
Basically the standard running temp of dexron 3 is about 175f, take it up by a measly 25f and you'll get LESS than half the life out of it, another 20f and you'll get about 1/4 the life out of it and so on.
This is the most common reason i have seen dead trannies... uh, let's rephrase that... dead transmissions.