Spal Temp switch question.........

[protour73]

This has gotten zero response in the cooling section......so I got desperate......................

Will a Spal temp switch

serve as a temp sender for the stock temp gauge in
my 73 Camaro??

[GMachineDartGT]

I seriously doubt that. Use the proper sender for your Camaro. If there is no good place for the turn on switch, then use the kind that splices into the hose. One is just a ground switch. The gauge needs a specific range of resistance to read properly.

[andrewb70]

I seriously doubt that. Use the proper sender for your Camaro. If there is no good place for the turn on switch, then use the kind that splices into the hose. One is just a ground switch. The gauge needs a specific range of resistance to read properly.

Werd.

Andrew

[Mike Holleman]

All the Spal thermostat switch does is make a ground when a certain temp is reached. It is not a sender.
Mike Holleman

[protour73]

thanks guys...........I really appreciate it!!!

[gmachinz]

No, the Spal sensor has a wider temperature range in which it sees resistance, not just a set of contacts. It is a sensor, not a switch. The Spal controller uses that info to modulate fan speed-otherwise, how else would the controller modulate speed if it were just a set of open/closed contacts? I would keep the wiring for the gauge alone using the stock sensor for the dash and instead find another spot to use the Spal sensor...if you plan on running their controller that is.

[BobB66SS]

No, the Spal sensor has a wider temperature range in which it sees resistance, not just a set of contacts. It is a sensor, not a switch. The Spal controller uses that info to modulate fan speed-otherwise, how else would the controller modulate speed if it were just a set of open/closed contacts? I would keep the wiring for the gauge alone using the stock sensor for the dash and instead find another spot to use the Spal sensor...if you plan on running their controller that is.

I've got that exact sensor on my car and all it does is turn the fans on and off, it doesn't provide any speed variation.

[gmachinz]

That's odd. Most switches simply complete a path to ground which in turn activates a relay to trigger a fan-in the case of a true sensor, the controller sees resistance based on the temperature range of that sensor, in the case of the Spal sensor, I believe it is 32 degrees to 240. Most stock type sensors don't provide that wide of a temperature range so it's control ability is limited to a smaller area of operation for resistance.

[BobB66SS]

Spal calls the part a "temperature switch", but refers to it as a sensor in the detailed description. Says it turns the fans on at 185 or 195 depending on which one you buy and off 20 degrees lower.

[Mike Holleman]

You are absolutely correct Bob. That is all it is designed to do and it will not work as a substitute for a gauge sender.
Mike

[gmachinz]

Odd, that isn't how Mark @ Spal explained it to me way back. So if it's no different than a standard TPI temp. sensor, why pay the extra $$$ then? weird.

[SPAL Tech]

Jabin,

That is the pwm-TS, which is similar to a gm fuel injection sensor. Completely different from the above switch that is on/off only.

1 big problem I have seen related to this is Joe guy will connect his relay to a 1 wire SENSOR ala the original gauge sensor in question above. It may actually "work" as the temperature increases the fan will eventually come on because the sensor resistance has fallen enough to bring the voltage across the relay coil high enough to pull in. Then as the temp drops some the resistance increases and the voltage across the coil decreases until the relay opens. Unfortunately operating with low voltages like this is a sure way to end the relay's life prematurely.

Mark

[gmachinz]

Ah...that makes sense-thanks for the clarification, Mark! We're almost into July now, Mark-hint, hint....lol. -Jabin