Do you monitor exhaust gas temps?

[tobnpr]

How many of you have pyrometers- are they "standard" now with newer motors? Are they worth adding? Saw this one, looks like an easy install. But would I be better off with a gauge setup (like Murphy) instead of an idiot horn, or do you think it's an unnecessary add-on?

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=11706&nobot_crawl

 

[fwebster]

Your systems monitor alerts you to engine temps over 210 degrees (I think) so I'm having trouble figuring the value of a separate alarm.

 

[osd9]

I looked into it....the advantage as I understood it was that measuring the exhaust gas temp will allow you to know immediately if you sucked up something in the strainers or the impeller gave up the ghost. It would take some time before the coolant temp rose to an alarming level, although you should see the temps slowly rise.

 

[tobnpr]

Your systems monitor alerts you to engine temps over 210 degrees (I think) so I'm having trouble figuring the value of a separate alarm.

Frank-
I had a hose clamp fail after taking delivery of the boat, dumped the coolant and the temp alarm (and the gauge) did not work because there was no coolant; the senders do not work in "air". My mechanics suggested Murphy coolant level sensors (which are pricey and not easy to install); I thought EGT gauges/alarms would provide another means of alerting in case of this type of failure again.

 

[tobnpr]

I looked into it....the advantage as I understood it was that measuring the exhaust gas temp will allow you to know immediately if you sucked up something in the strainers or the impeller gave up the ghost. It would take some time before the coolant temp rose to an alarming level, although you should see the temps slowly rise.

As I understand it (and I'm a real newbie to diesels) EGT is also an indication of engine overloading, and I thought it would be worthwhile.
But with 57 views and no responses, I guess not many do it...

 

[fc3]

Two different animals. A pyrometer normally is installed between the manifold and turbo. Reading those temperatures can show fuel system problems, engine overloading, and other issues. Normal temps would be something like 250-350 at idle, around 500 at moderate power and close to 1000 at full power. It was fun watching the pyrometer on a friend's GMC 3500 Duramax while towing his 38' footer up and down hills.

What you reference measures exhaust temps after the water injection so all it would show is a failure of the raw water cooling. Might be some value, but I think that the engine coolant temps would go up about as quickly as the exhaust temps.

Best regards,
Frank