Autron pyro/boost gauge package - questions

About to take ownership of the new patrol (straight off the dock) and I have some Autometer pryo/boost gauges lined up for install (it helps to have a mate who is the manager of an Autobarn store, I also worked for Autobarn for 7 years in a previous life but that is a different story) ... but have been thinking about installing an Autron package instead. Bit more pricey but includes pillar pod, boost/pyro and dual battery gauges. $640 seems to be the going rate.

Just want to clarify a couple of things before making a decision -feel free to chime in Autron owners and opinionated others!

I've scoured the net to find a pic of the 'MAP sensor' they use for the boost gauge but haven't had any luck. [quote from the site: "The Boost is measured using an MAP sensor provided in a small electronics box"]. What does that mean? For those that have the Autron gauge, does this 'electronic box' replace the stock MAP sensor or does it plumb in as per other 'normal' boost gauges?

I'm keen to have the boost pressure read post intercooler via usual plumbing port and not rely on the vehicle management system.

Secondly, am I crazy to go to Autron instead of Autometer?

Someone will no doubt be along to assist mate - don't forget piccies of the rig!!

Good luck with getting the answers your after and with the truck.

As an opinionated other I think what they provide is a stand alone pressure sensor to operate the gauge.
Most boost gauges are a straight mechanical gauge meaning there is a hose feeding boost pressure direct to the back of the gauge. The Autron would appear to use a pressure sensor mounted in the engine bay and feed an electronic signal to the gauge instead.

Autometer or Autron? Your choice. I like VDO, well proven in heavy equipment.

Tony

Yeah, there is something reassuring about a mechanical gauge rather than fancy LCD electronic stuff. Maybe feels like less could go wrong when far from civilization?

I do like the idea of having 4 gauge readings in 2 gauges though - more efficient use of real estate.

Any Autron owners out there with reliability issues?

Steveo, any PM's as I also am about to install the same Autron package? Mark

Nothing as yet. I'm out of town this weekend, was planning on installing mid-week. Still have to paint the new pod, cut out the holes, install the bungs.

THEN it should be pretty straight forward to wire up :)

Although did see a post about a week ago about the Autron control box hissing & making noise. Don't know if there was a resolution to that issue.

Hi
I have had autron guages for some time and cannot fault. Make sure you connect guages to instrument dimmer. My only issue is at low dim at night its still abit bright, but you get used to it. pics below show guages. hope this helps

regards

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Originally Posted by Steveo_the_Devo

About to take ownership of the new patrol (straight off the dock) and I have some Autometer pryo/boost gauges lined up for install (it helps to have a mate who is the manager of an Autobarn store, I also worked for Autobarn for 7 years in a previous life but that is a different story) ... but have been thinking about installing an Autron package instead. Bit more pricey but includes pillar pod, boost/pyro and dual battery gauges. $640 seems to be the going rate.

Just want to clarify a couple of things before making a decision -feel free to chime in Autron owners and opinionated others!

I've scoured the net to find a pic of the 'MAP sensor' they use for the boost gauge but haven't had any luck. [quote from the site: "The Boost is measured using an MAP sensor provided in a small electronics box"]. What does that mean? For those that have the Autron gauge, does this 'electronic box' replace the stock MAP sensor or does it plumb in as per other 'normal' boost gauges?

I'm keen to have the boost pressure read post intercooler via usual plumbing port and not rely on the vehicle management system.

Secondly, am I crazy to go to Autron instead of Autometer?

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Autron control box sits inside vehicle under dash and boost and egt plumb into it.

I have the Boost/EGT guage fitted to my truck. I had to wire it up in a hurry as I was leaving cairns for wa the next day. Had some issues I have still not been bothered to investigate let alone fix. They are for the most part a great gauge. The set up is simple. They have a box you put under the dash like was mentioned above. It basically is the junction box that connects all the elements together (Gauge, boost line and thermocouple for EGT). The issues I had was (unless I have wired it incorrectly) it will dim whilst the ingnition is off but not while on. It has boost fully user variable alarm but not EGT( not an issue for me as I know when the temps would be rising and watch out for it). It seems that the diming requires another module to work correctly. If I dim the dash the gauge gets brighter, brighten the dash and the gauge gets duller. Like I say that may be my bad, I mean to call and ask but I have to pull it to put it in my new truck so I will worry then. All seems to operate very well and easily. Seems very accurate and refresh rate looks good too. Has heaps of different colours to choose from and they are aeasy to change if you are driving ant night and wish to choose a dull colour. I rate it about 9/10 (looses a point for no EGT alarm) if i can sort out dim wiring and a 5/10 if I can't. I will get onto them and pull ou the manual again and see if I can get an answer on that for you, I need to know anyway.

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Originally Posted by Skull

I have the Boost/EGT guage fitted to my truck. I had to wire it up in a hurry as I was leaving cairns for wa the next day. Had some issues I have still not been bothered to investigate let alone fix. They are for the most part a great gauge. The set up is simple. They have a box you put under the dash like was mentioned above. It basically is the junction box that connects all the elements together (Gauge, boost line and thermocouple for EGT). The issues I had was (unless I have wired it incorrectly) it will dim whilst the ingnition is off but not while on. It has boost fully user variable alarm but not EGT( not an issue for me as I know when the temps would be rising and watch out for it). It seems that the diming requires another module to work correctly. If I dim the dash the gauge gets brighter, brighten the dash and the gauge gets duller. Like I say that may be my bad, I mean to call and ask but I have to pull it to put it in my new truck so I will worry then. All seems to operate very well and easily. Seems very accurate and refresh rate looks good too. Has heaps of different colours to choose from and they are aeasy to change if you are driving ant night and wish to choose a dull colour. I rate it about 9/10 (looses a point for no EGT alarm) if i can sort out dim wiring and a 5/10 if I can't. I will get onto them and pull ou the manual again and see if I can get an answer on that for you, I need to know anyway.

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HI Skull
I have no problem with mine dimming with factory setup. You can't dim in daylight mode. You maybe connected + and _ back the front for lighting giving the dim the opposite function

Yeah. Will check her out when I put her into the new truck. Was looking on the web site last night and it seems they did a softy update which has fixed all bar my wiring concerns. So that makes it a 10/10 for me provide it's wired right. Tried to call em up to see if the guage I have could have that update performed on it but the where shut for the day. Damn WA being 2 hrs behind.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigG

Hi
Make sure you connect guages to instrument dimmer. My only issue is at low dim at night its still abit bright, but you get used to it.

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I have installed a few sets of these into customers vehicles. Haven't had any come back yet. I have also wired for a few customers another dimmer alongside the factory dimmer to dim in more at night.. - Jaycar for the dimmer.

Thought I'd suggest....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigG

Hi
I have had autron guages for some time and cannot fault. Make sure you connect guages to instrument dimmer. My only issue is at low dim at night its still abit bright, but you get used to it. pics below show guages. hope this helps

regards

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sorry for the late reply but, I have the same setup. Find dimmer not quite low enough but I run a really dark dash as i hate lights. Easy to install. not sure at what stage "Skull" purchased his unit but the one i bought has the EGT alarm variable. popped the hose and egt gauge cable/hose through the large grommet in the top middle of the firewall, then mounted receiver "black box" under the dash, beside the clutch. Digital display maybe a little slow.(haven't used a traditional one, so not a good judge). Alarm makes up for this as i only want to know when it is having trouble.

Happy to recommend these units, hope it helps

Quote:

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Originally Posted by guterra

I have installed a few sets of these into customers vehicles. Haven't had any come back yet. I have also wired for a few customers another dimmer alongside the factory dimmer to dim in more at night.. - Jaycar for the dimmer.

Thought I'd suggest....

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Is this dimmer just a potentiometer or something more sinister? I love the darkness too so would likely be a good idea for a seperate dimmer. Ripped mine out last night and would probably be good time to set it up and bench test an aftermarket dimmer to ensure all is cool before the new truck gets here.

Yeah mate thats all I've used. I wired out of the existing factory dimmer straight into the second and out to the gauges. Easy and works a charm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by guterra

Yeah mate thats all I've used. I wired out of the existing factory dimmer straight into the second and out to the gauges. Easy and works a charm.

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do you have a part number handy from Jaycar?

I've just run all the wires/probe/vac hose out through the firewall, will be hooking up the electrics tomorrow so might as well sneak down to Jaycar and pick up another dimmer as I hate bright lights at night too.

Good news for those like me who have an older EGT/BOOST gauge. If it is the white body guage you can send it back to Autron and they will do a firmware update to include the EGT alarm and a few other user settings. Cost $66 plus postage and handling. Turns out I did wire it wrong to. The + is 12V straight up and the Dimming/ Variable resister is on the Negative side. I think I had it the pos coming from the dimmer. My bad. New truck gets here at the end of next week so will sort it out then. Will get some Ohm's law going for you guys and see if i can work out the optimum Potentiometer for dimming with the most suitable resistance values.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by guterra

Yeah mate thats all I've used. I wired out of the existing factory dimmer straight into the second and out to the gauges. Easy and works a charm.

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I have done the same. Took me too goes. I messed up the first time and chose the wrong wire

I purchased my Autron gauge set only a couple weeks ago and it doesn't have variable EGT alarm. Can anyone confirm that their gauge definitely has a variable EGT alarm setting? The instructions I received only indicate variable boost alarm. I think the EGT alarm goes off automatically around 700 deg - I wouldn't mind adjusting it down to 550-600.

When I called them up to find out about updating mine he said that the new software was only threee weeks old. You may have just missed out. As i said in my last post .it is $66 to get it upgraded.

Agree. My Autron works perfectly except for brightness at night time so have changed colours to make it more usable. I have GU 1V DX coil cab so no dimmer control.
Someone suggested I put a cover over the bulb inside the unit to help reduce light output.

I don't believe there is a bulb inside mate, she is an LCD. Pretty sure the are not "Backlit" in the true sence like the older gauges were. I have been using the duller colours at night too.