Turbocator Installed- EGT not showing

[madifonzo78]

Hello,
Longtime listener first time caller. Just installed the Turbocator on my boat. Twin CAT3208TA engines. No performance issues but heard having these gauges was essential to keeping track of engine health.

1. For some EGT’s are not showing at all. Pretty straight forward install. Installed probe, used SBMAR supplied connectors and attached leads to gauge. Nothing showing.

Did I miss something?

2. I know I have CATs, but had question regarding boost. When climbing to plane I am seeing boost of around 22. Once on plane I back it down to around 2500 rpm. Boost is steady at port engine 11, starboard engine at 12. Are these correct readings?

Topic

[Tony Athens]

Guess I forgot to tell you that the shunt was across the “active” or hook-up terminals………………………….. Sorry

Also, their instructions definitely left some room for improvement. I’ll get Corey to add some notes.. 1st time I ever actually read them.

And thanks GENE!

[madifonzo78]

You are actually correct. The labels are close to all the posts on the back so that is where I was confused. Move the leads to the inner most posts and it works now. Tested with a torch.

[Gene Fuller]

I do not have a Turbocator and I have never seen one.

However, from the picture posted above it sure looks like the yellow wire should be attached to the second terminal from the left, not the first.

The way it is hooked up looks like the yellow wire is grounded to the case. The second terminal appears insulated.

As I said, I know nothing about this specific unit, so ignore this if I am all wet.

Gene

[madifonzo78]

Hi Tony. So I removed the shunt. No joy.

Check connections.
Probe is installed in a port directly after turbo and connections appear to be tight.

Anything else I could be missing?

[Tony Athens]

The unit will not work with the SHUNT wire left in place regardless on how the other wires are hook up

1 user thanked author for this post.

madifonzo78

[Clark Leighs]

Tony answered just before you reposted.

My suggestion was simply from what I have seen before. Looks like yours is correct. Good.

[madifonzo78]

I mean it’s labeled red and yellow on the back of the gauge so hopefully I don’t have them recasted.

Curious what Tony has to say about the photo.

[Tony Athens]

You left the shunt on—The spring wire–That’s for shipping only to keep the needle from moving———————————————————————remove it

[madifonzo78]

Was heading out anyways. Attached is a pic.

[Clark Leighs]

Re Turbocator: Double check the leads. If you misconnected them the guage will read in reverse meaning the needle will be trying to go the wrong way which it can´t do. Pay attention to the polarity. I suspect they are K type thermocouples.

Red is NOT positive, Yellow is positive. The RED, negative, is also more magnetic than the yellow.

Check those connections as many people assume red is positive.

As far as boost levels go that largely depends on the boat and how hard the engines are working. Another boat with the same engines but a different hull and weight will show different boost levels even though running at the SAME rpm.

The fact there is only 1 psi difference is a good sign though.

THat is more important and that figure, tha actual boosts, should be logged for the rpm run at, the boat speed and the date along with the EGT at that same load, rpm.

If ever there is a problem developing , propping or whatever, that info could be invaluable and help your mechanic a long way on the road to troubleshooting.

[Tony Athens]

Trouble shoot at the dock using a propane touch.. Much easier.

Can I “see” the back of the gauge where the leads hook up?

[Author]

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