Faria temperature gauge problems

[Jetexas]

I purchased a salvage beta marine diesel last year and dropped it into my 27' Starwind. It came with the control panel full of Faria gauges, but none of the gauges seemed to work. The temperature gauge would read about 125 degrees but never go higher.

We grabbed some other brand temp gauge at West Marine and used that for a couple weeks. It read 160-180 when the engine was running, but of course, it wasn't quite the same size as the Faria, so I switched back to a matching set of Faria gauges once I finished constructing the new control panel.

The new Faria temperature gauge worked great all through the fall, but now it's reading 120-125 just like the old one.

Anyone else have experience with these Faria gauges failing in this manner?

One disclaimer, I have switched some wiring off the alternator around and I did have a wire grounded that shouldn't have been. However, none of the wiring I changed was connected to the temp gauge in any way.

If nobody has heard of the Faria gauges failing, anyone know an electrical reason why a temperature sending unit or gauge would suddenly start showing 125 instead of the correct temperature?

[NCboatrx]

Generally a temp gauge is matched to its sender.
Beta Marine have never used Faria gauges so I dont know what wiring you have.
Beta Marine can supply wiring diagrams and wiring harness' for their engines.
Stanley

[Jetexas]

It's actually a Phasor Marine engine, which is almost identical to the Beta Marine, but nobody knows what I'm talking about when I say Phasor. The Faria gauges were stock with the Phasor.

Since I just bought this gauge in July last year, SJK Marine sent me a number to contact Faria customer service about the issue.

[GordMay]

Faria Senders are designated by the following descriptions, and must be selected in combinations of one each from A, B, & C.
(For example: Single station, American resistance, Standard ground)
A Station: Single or Dual
B Resistance: American or European
C Ground: Standard or Floating

See ➥ http://faria-instruments.com/site_manuals/IS0002F.pdf

See also “Testing Engine Gauges”

Page 1 ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...r&imageuser=79

Page 2 ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...r&imageuser=79

Wiring Diagram ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...r&imageuser=79

* Faria's Positive "P" terminal is labeled "I" (Ignition).

[NCboatrx]

Originally Posted by Jetexas

It's actually a Phasor Marine engine, which is almost identical to the Beta Marine, but nobody knows what I'm talking about when I say Phasor. The Faria gauges were stock with the Phasor.

Since I just bought this gauge in July last year, SJK Marine sent me a number to contact Faria customer service about the issue.

There is a world of differance where you say "almost identical". Please use the correct name as you will have trouble getting spare parts otherwise. If you requested a company to send you parts for a Beta Marine and they didnt fit your Phasor, would you assume the responsibility for the freight and possible re-stocking charge that some companies charge or would you complain about the company sending the incorrect parts?

[Jetexas]

They are virtually identical motors based on the Kubota Z482. All of the parts are interchangeable. In fact, Phasor was sued by Beta Marine for patent infringement in regard to their heat exchanger design. The only difference when you put them side by side are the engine mount brackets. All parts I used when rebuilding the Phasor were Beta parts.

But the Faria temp sensor and gauge were matched, and the Faria temp sensor was working correctly until recently. To clear up any other confusion, I never changed any of the temp sensor wiring, only the alternator wiring. I don't know if that just randomly coincided with this gauge quitting or if there's some strange electrical magic going on here. However, the only place any of the wires would meet up is at the ignition switch.

[kirkalittle]

Did you ever solve this issues, I'm having similar problems on my Kubota. Thanks.