Application Chart

Pyrometer. For anyone driving a diesel rig, a pyrometer should be the first instrument considered. A pyrometer is used in a diesel application to measure the temperature of the exhaust at a specific point in the exhaust system. By monitoring this temperature, we can measure the vital signs of engine operation.

Boost pressure. Turbo-charged diesels are becoming more popular all the time. Turbochargers enable an engine to produce substantially more power than a naturally aspirated engine by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. Your Turbo charged engine is designed to operate at certain boost levels to provide you with optimum performance and economy. A turbo boost gauge will let you know if you're operating in this "proper range".

Vacuum. In gas engines, the engine vacuum is your measuring stick for engine efficiency. For decades, vacuum gauges have been used to improve driving habits by those who know how to use them. The rule of thumb is, the more vacuum your engine is pulling, the better.

Tachometer. Virtually all of us are familiar with the use of a tachometer to indicate engine speed. It has been used for what seems forever to keep engines in their best power ranges in racing applications. Although important for all engines, the tachometer is more critical for diesel engines. The tachometer is one of the most basic instrument necessities for operating your vehicle within the ranges it was designed to perform.

Fluid temperatures. All internal combustion engines have a "sweet zone" of operational temperature where the components are designed to perform at their best. Transmission fluid temperatures are critical. Unlike the radiator fluids which cool quickly, automatic transmission fluid can heat up rapidly and take a long time to cool down. By periodically eyeing your temperature gauge, you will be able to recognize a problem developing before it becomes critical.