K Series Temperature sensor for mini dash

[Mini Vvc Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mini Vvc]

Hi all, What sensor is everyone running on their K series engines for the dash temperature readout. I have the original 2 clock dash and when connected to the original vvc brown sensor or blue sensor it just goes right up to hot.

Is it best to get an original single wire mini sensor and make it fit?

All info much appreciated. Thanks

[AGoaty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AGoaty]

The sensors are basically a variable resistor. The K series and A series engines use a totally different range on them, hence the gauge going straight to the top. Two ways you can resolve this, first, use the A series sensor or fit a resistor in the line for the gauge. Neither way is easy as the A series sensor is likely the wrong thread for the K series elbow. Fitting a resistor is going to be a guess at the value in ohms. I did the same idea for the fuel gauge though, connecting the MPi sender to Rover 200 clocks. I got it very accurate trying a few variations. Try buying a set of ceramic resistors of values around 50, 75 or 100 ohms. Fit these in line or in parallel and work out what works for you. A pack isn't even a fiver so worth a try...

Andrew.

[Mini Vvc Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mini Vvc]

Thanks Andrew, that's some good ideas. I've bought a mini sensor to try. I hadn't thought about the resistor idea. If it seems too hard to get the mini one to fit then I can use the mini one as a guide to where the readings should be. Eg put the mini one in boiling water to find where the guage sits then use the rover one with different resisters in boiling water to find the correct one.

Thankfully I'm using the original fuel tank so can use the original tank sensor.

Thanks for the tips 👍😃

[Coaster Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Coaster]

If you are willing to experiment with boilin water, you could try connecting a multimetr set to ohms and check the resistance at your desired temp and then add resistors to get the desired value. If you havent played with resistors before, they usually come with coloured rings on the body that denote the resistance. The firtst 3 give the value and the 4th( usually gold or silver) gives the tollerance (silver 10%, gold 5%) the coloured rings tell you the resistance in Hundreds - Tens - Units, look for resistore colour code on Google. Also as Andy says, resistors connected in series add but resistors connected in parrallel divide.

[Mini Vvc Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mini Vvc]

Thanks Coaster,
I've used resistors before but it's been a while. I'll definitely try out your advice. Much appreciated. Whatever I do I'll post it on my build blog for everyone to see. 👍😃

[250ptm Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 250ptm]

Here's how i did mine. the gauge is accurate to 5C

link: cel issue? - 16v Mini Club Forums see post 59

[Mini Vvc Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mini Vvc]

Thanks 250ptm. That's a good write up on how to select the correct size resistor. I think I will be following that method. Thanks 👍