I've seen quite a lot of this stuff on the temperature compensating
characteristics of the voltage stabilizer, and I'd like to point out a few
things.
First, it's called a "voltage stabilizer" not a "temperature compensator".
Second, have you ever seen your turn signals run slower when it gets cold? I
haven't, and that's essentially what a voltage stabilizer is.
Third, if you run a constant voltage through a gauge, say enough to position it
on the halfway mark, and then run it through temperatures from below freezing
to 90 plus, do you think you'll see a change? You won't. There's no airflow
though the gauge, so it's self heating is adequate to overcome outside
temperatures in normal ranges.
Fourth, the thermal energy generated in the stabilizer and the gauges is
different, so equivalent temperature compensation is not likely.
Lastly, some modern cars use similar thermal gauges. They also used fixed solid
state voltage regulators in place of the voltage stabilizer, and have for
years..
Jim Altman wrote:
> I don't mean to be contrary, but Randall is on the right track. The meters
> operate on bimetal strips. Therefore, they give different readings at
> different ambient temperatures even if what they are measuring is constant.
> The voltage stabilizer does not produce a constant voltage, but rather one
> that varies inversely to temperature. The Voltage Stabilizer compensates by
> using a bimetal strip that moves the voltage opposite the temperature
> thereby creating constant readings regardless of temperature.
>
> So its not the voltage that is stabilized, its the meter reading.
>
> Jim Altman jaltman@altlaw.com Illigitimi non Carborundum
> http://www.altlaw.com/metro/jaltman.html 69-TR6#CC28754L(O) W4UCK
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Randall
> Sent: Sunday, October 31, 1999 7:18 PM
> To: Triumph list
> Subject: Re: What did I do...elec. prob. w/gauges...MORON !!!
>
> Clearly, they knew other solutions (eg the fuel gauge in my TR3 uses no
> electronics and is not voltage sensitive), so I see the voltage
> stabilizer and associated simplified gauges as purely a cost saving
> move. I believe even the early stabilizers were not electronic, but
> instead thermo-mechanical, as were the gauges.
>
> Randall
>
> Tony Rhodes wrote:
> >
> > Not bad for what they had to work with (no solid state parts).
> > After that time, they just stuck with what worked and was cheap.
--
George Richardson
The Wyvern - '57 Triumph TR3, TS15559L - http://www.merlingroupinc.com/tr3.htm
The Hippogrif - '71 Triumph Stag MKI, LE8176E - soon to get a site of it's own
Kitty - '83 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas - Undergoing repair
|