My Temperature readings are erratic or sometimes display “dashes” in the window.
My four window gauge only shows two of my three EGT sensors.
My gauge shuts off automatically while I am using it.
Where do I locate my EGT sensors in the pipe?
Where do I locate my water temp sensor?
I have MSD ignition, Can I utilize this signal?
Which EGT fitting is better, Weld or Clamp?
Can I get “Stinger” probes with my gauge?
Can I get fast response probes with my gauge?
Do I need my own Digatron beacon for me to record lap times?
Digatron Instrument checks
Sensor checks
Timing checks
My Temperature readings are erratic or sometimes display “dashes” in the window.
First thing to look for is… Make sure all “Temp” and “WT” ports, on the back of your gauge have either a sensor or shorting plug attached. These circuits require a complete connection in order for the gauge to operate correctly. Secondly, look for possible chaffing on the wire leads. If worn through, use some electrical tape and wrap it up, making sure the two wires inside do not touch. You can also check the connector at the gauge. Remove it and make sure there is a small white plastic insulator surrounding the center post. Without it the connection may become unstable. If you need an insulator call us. You may also look for potential fractured wires. Do this by watching the display and “carefully” wiggle the Temp wires. If the readings are erratic, you need to replace the sensor. They are not repairable.
My four window gauge only shows two of my three EGT sensors.
Your gauge, even though you may not see them, is monitoring all sensors attached to your gauge. To view the third sensor, simply press the top side button on the gauge. This will switch the front display to show you the third sensor. If you would like to see all three temps upon initial startup, you will either need to purchase a PC Download Cable and reprogram the display defaults or send it to us for reprogramming.
My gauge shuts off automatically while I am using it.
Please insure you have the Tachometer pickup correctly installed or the Lighting coil harness securely attached to the proper wire. The gauge is preprogrammed to do this if it does not see a tachometer signal. If your engine is shut off, Tachometer pickup is disconnected or not connected correctly. This is a normal function; it is intended to extend battery life. To increase the gauge “on time” without a tachometer signal, you will need a PC Download Cable to make the necessary changes or send it to us for reprogramming.
Where do I locate my EGT sensors in the pipe?
Typically 4-5” from the piston skirt is as close as you need to be. On engines with separate pipes, this distance can be slightly increased. While every application is different, you need to develop a procedure to assure proper fueling to your engine. Start out with a Rich fuel mixture and sneak up on the mixture you desire while watching your Temperatures. Remember aluminum melts around 1340 degrees F, so the closer you get to this temp the more power your engine makes. Downside is you are also risking engine damage. Best bet is to not exceed 1250 Degrees F. Please check with your engine builder or manufacturer for a safe operating range. DigatronDirect and Digatron assume no responsibility for any potential damage to your engine.
Where do I locate my water temp sensor?
Best location is always in the cylinder head. If you cannot install one in the head, we do offer Billet Inline Adapters. These come in multiple sizes. Measure the inside diameter of your hose (on the coolant out of the engine side) and order the adapter accordingly. Remember, when remotely installing the Water Temp sensor, to ground the sensor.
I have MSD ignition, Can I utilize this signal?
Yes you can. When ordering your gauge or tachometer pickup, specify a “D” style harness.
Which EGT fitting is better, Weld or Clamp?
It is a matter of preference. Both installation methods offer a secure method of EGT attachment. Function of the sensor is not affected by either. When installing the clamps, be sure not to over tighten the band as to avoid stripping out the engagement. Additionally do not over tighten the nut when securing the sensor to the fitting. Over tightening may cause the compression fitting to cut into the probe and fracturing it.
Can I get “Stinger” probes with my gauge?
We package only the fastest sensors, available, with each and every gauge. Our sensors are exposed tip to provide a .40 second response time. "Stinger" probes are comparable to our standard probes, in form and function. If you require a closed tip sensor for Diesel applications request these sensors when making your order. They have a .50 second response time.
Can I get fast response probes with my gauge?
We package only the fastest sensors, available, with each and every gauge. Our sensors are exposed tip to provide a .40 second response time. If you require a closed tip sensor for Diesel applications request these sensors when making your order. Our closed tip sensors are very fast too. They have a .50 second response time.
Do I need my own Digatron beacon for me to record lap times?
Digatron gauges, capable of recording lap times, and equipped with a beacon receiver are capable of utilizing most infrared transmitters. So if your track or even competitors has a Digatron or one of the “other guys” transmitters already on the track, you are ready to go. Your gauge will automatically receive their signal. Be sure you have your frequency channel preferences set to off. Most problems with lap time recording is due to the improper setting of these preferences.
Digatron Instrument checks:
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Are your Instrument batteries low? Are the batteries installed correctly? If the displays, or backlight are dim or the unit shuts off check your batteries.
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To begin recording, the instrument must be in Monitor/Record mode, not Playback Mode. If you see a PRS or MEM annunciator in the display you are in Playback mode. Press the exit key, once or twice, to return to Monitor/Record Mode. Earlier version require you to exit Playback Mode. Current versions will automatically exit Playback Mode when they receive a tach signal.
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Earlier version... If your instrument comes on when the engine is started, but isn’t recording, press the power button, the manual switch or pass a beacon and the instrument will begin recording. This usually happens when the engine starts briefly and then stalls. When the instrument is recording a colon will be flashing on the instrument display.
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When the Digatron instrument powers on it is displaying time in high resolution. The highest time that can be displayed in high resolution is 1:59.99. Once 1:59.99 is passed the “1” toggles on and off every two minutes. If your laps are longer than two minutes, press the two arrow keys simultaneously to change to low resolution. Your correct number of minutes will now be displayed and the numbers after the decimal point will be shifted off the display. You can return to high resolution by pressing the two arrow keys again.
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For instruments with the delay, “dly” feature, check that the seconds entered to ignore beacons (in setup mode) does not exceed your lap time. If you are not recording time segments, or laps, set the delay to “.1”
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For the manual switch to trigger a lap on a 50 series instrument, all beacon codes must be set to None. See your set up instructions.
Sensor checks:
Damaged or incorrectly installed sensors (leads) are often the cause of instrument problems:
Instruments getting a tach signal from the spark plug wire: For a Digatron instrument to work correctly the instrument must be receiving a good tach signal. Tach sensors are small antennas that pick up the energy radiated by the spark plug wire. Without a strong tach signal the instrument will give low erratic tach readings. With no tach signal, the instrument will not record for more than a few seconds and will power itself off. Check your tach sensor installation:
Briggs & Stratton engines: B&S engines, and similar 4 cycles, have ignitions that produce weaker signals than other engines. To receive a strong enough signal with these ignitions, the antenna needs to be longer. The easiest way to do this is to spiral the colored wire (antenna) down the spark plug wire.
2-cycle engines: Generally strong signals are produced. Attaching the end of the tach sensor to the spark plug wire should be sufficient. If you experience low erratic tach readings see A.
Instruments getting power and tach from the lighting coil: Make sure you hook the black wire of the power harness directly to the engine, and hook up the red wire with the fuse holder directly to output of lighting coil before the regulator. The power harness uses a ½ amp fuse. Be sure the power harness is connected to the connector on the back of the instrument.
- Loose sensor connections to the instrument can cause erratic or spiked readings. Placing a piece of tape on sensor connections can help ensure a strong connection.
- Broken and nicked sensors, and sensor wires, can cause erratic readings to all functions on the instrument. Replacing one or all of your sensors often solves the problem. Careful installation, and protection of sensor wires with plastic tubing, is essential. Damaged pigtail wires or sensors may give erratic readings, abnormally high readings, or a "00" reading.
- Keep your temperature and tachometer leads separated by at least 3 inches. Do not tie-wrap or tape leads together, as this can induce noise into the instrument.
- Route the leads as far away from the coil as possible.
- Install the tach lead on the plug wire at least 2 inches back from the plug boot. If you still have a problem, try a different location on the plug wire.
- Be sure that all sensors are connected to the instrument and that all connectors fit together snugly. If you are not using a temperature function, you need to use a shorting plug on that pigtail. Contact Digatron for shorting plugs if you will not use one or more of your temperature functions.
- If you are using an exhaust gas temperature sensor, make sure it is grounded.
- You can run your leads through separate sections of fuel line to protect them from cuts and abrasions, but it will not shield them from ignition noise.
- If your MPH or Jackshaft is erratic check the distance from the sensor to the collar (or selected trigger). An 1/8" or less is the ideal setting.
Timing checks:
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Is the beacon on?
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Are the beacon batteries low?
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Is the beacon still on the track? Did someone remove it or turn it off?
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Check that your Digatron instrument is programmed to recognize the code the beacon is transmitting or that all codes are set to none and you are using the delay feature. Check your instrument setup instructions.
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Did you reconnect the beacon receiver to your instrument after downloading to your laptop?
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Is your beacon receiver pointed toward the beacon transmitter?
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Is the beacon receiver plugged into the correct connector on the back of the instrument? Attach the beacon receiver wire to the lap connector on the instrument and mount it on the vehicle so that the beacon signal has a clear path to the receiver.
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Have the beacon on standard power if it is within 10 to 25 feet of the instrument on the vehicle. Set the beacon on high power if over 25 feet from it. Standard power conserves batteries.
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Your vehicle should be at least 10’ from the beacon transmitter on the track. Beacon signals are cone shaped and if you are too close to the beacon you may miss the signal or intermittently pick it up. The faster the kart the farther from the beacon transmitter it should be. This ensures the beacon receiver has time to pick up the beacon transmitter signal. The instrument has to be in the beacon transmitter field for at least 1/50th of a second to identify the code. See Diagrams below for a graphical representation of the Beacon signal.
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Beacon transmitters should be at least 25’ apart. Beacon signals are cone shaped and can overlap if beacons are too close. This may cause the instrument to have trouble picking up a lap signal. For a safe distance apart, measure the distance from the kart to the beacon, and multiply by three. This is the recommended distance between beacons for consistent operation.
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Multiple short laps may be caused by multiple beacons on the track transmitting the same code your instrument is picking up. If you have a 50 series instrument change the code on your instrument and beacon or change the delay number in the instrument. If you have a 40 series instrument enter the number of seconds to ignore beacon signals after you pass the first one. See your setup instructions.
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Direct sunlight into the beacon receiver will reduce it’s sensitivity and can cause it to miss a lap. Make sure the receiver is installed with the overhang on top. If the rising or setting sun is pointed directly into the beacon receiver, set the beacon transmitter on high power.
Click on images, below, for an enlarged view of each chart
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