Cheap engine temperature gauge?

Try this one on EBay 151037855357

I have fitted these to my exhaust outlets after the injection bend. Work fine, go to 120c and have an adjustable alarm NO contact.
 
Did the same used a mini siren from Maplin when over temperature. Was quite surprised that the elbow temperature was about 17 deg C even after loaded running at 3000 rpm. Set the alarm to 22 deg C works very well
 
Silly question. If it goes off at 22C wouldn't hot weather in summer trigger it? I ask because I have one as yet unfitted and am wondering where to put the sensor? The joint between elbow and hose seems to be recommended, but under normal running it doesn't actually get much hotter than ambient temp in summer?
 
22 Deg C

Sail North Wales so dont see 22 deg C very often. Gauge is connected across fuel solenoid on engine through an inline fuse so only comes on when ignition on. Very easy to adjust.
 
It must depend on the engine type.
When I had my overheating episode last week on my MD2020 the exhaust elbow was still cold while boiling water and steam were shooting out of the header tank overflow.
 
Incredulous

nigelmercier said:
Me too, I measured around 70 °C I think.
Click to expand...
I am talking about the temperature measured on the surface of the exhaust elbow, or at the join between elbow and flexible exhaust hose - the actual water temperature I agree is 70 - 80C (as recorded on my 'normal' temperature gauge) but the sensor for these cheapie but apparently robust Chinese alarms is not in the water...

I have seen some more expensive varieties where you drill a hole in the exhaust hose and put the probe in the exhaust water stream, but I dont' really want to do that, and doubt the probe is robust enough for constant immersion in seawater. So the question is where do you put it on the outside of the engine where there will be a reasonable temperature, so it won't be triggered by ambient temperature ?... if you get my drift,
 
I bought a Chinese cheapie, the type with alarm contacts, for ~£8. Tested at home against a mercury in glass thermometer, it was quite accurate. Fitted to engine at beginning of season, clamped to a steel tube in the exhaust run about 18" from the elbow, it registered ~25 deg. Last time I used the boat , the reading fluctuated all over the place. I think my ebay "bargain" may have broken. It needs 12v. Maybe it doesn't like 14.4v.
 
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