I decided to add a temperature gauge to my new YM2210. Here is what I chose:
Sunpro 2" temperature gauge CP7975
Sunpro metric adapter set CP7574
I chose this gauge because it matches the look of the stock Yanmar tachometer pretty closely.
The first thing I did was test to make sure the gauge was operating properly. I boiled some water in a mug using a microwave then put the temperature sensor in the water. The gauge read about 201 F. Obviously water boils at 212 F, but I think 201 is pretty good given that the water starts cooling as soon as you pull it out of the microwave plus the sensor itself cools the water as soon as you put it in.
Next I punched a nice hole in the dash using a hydraulic Greenlee metal punch. I decided to put the gauge where the turn signal switch had been and move the turn signal switch to a new hole. I had to touch up the paint a bit at the edge of the holes. It was mostly hidden by the gauge overhang, but I did it anyway...
Next I pulled out the bolt with the old temperature light sensor and installed the new sensor line into that hole using the metric adapter. I didn't use any teflon tape on the bolts. If I find that it starts leaking, I will pull it back out and add some. Lookin good! :thumbsup:
Note that getting the old temperature sensor bolt out is a bit of a pain because it's in an awkward spot that's hard to get a wrench into. I took off the left side panel (looking from the driver's seat) and reached in with a pipe wrench -- btw, this worked well to break the bolt loose on my YM1700 too.
I ran my engine for a while just sitting in the barn, but it didn't register on the gauge. I put my hand on the engine where the temperature sensor goes, and it was warm, but not hot, so I think it just wasn't hot enough to register. I expect it will register when I'm actually working the tractor. It's pretty impressive how much better this engine cools with the water pump installed vs. my YM1700 which uses the thermosiphon approach, i.e., does not have a water pump.
I wanted to also comment on why I chose to replace the temperature light with a gauge and not the oil pressure and voltage lights with gauges (I did replace all 3 on my YM1700.) For these other 2, the lights come on once the tractor key goes to the "ON" position, and they go out once the tractor is operating properly. If there is a problem, they will come back on. With the temperature gauge, I feel more comfortable knowing if my tractor is operating at 150 F or 230 F, both of which I believe would be below the trigger temperature for the dash light.
And last but not least, my beautiful assistant is featured in the last picture. I tried to tell her that my jacket is a little big for her.
