airfuel gauge

[Elementality158]

But really. The way to do it is to tap into the anntenna.

[Gsxedyou]

thanks for the tips. i'll just tap it into the amp wire from my cd player so it'll bounce with the music...if i'm gonna throw a disco party, i should probably have it beat to the music.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

Most A/F gauges can only handle 0-1volt. If you accidentally hook it up the wrong wire, you usually end up with a paper wieght.

[Elementality158]

tap into the o2 sensor. Im not sure where the best spot is. But im guessing anywhere would work. Still need to get mine. :D

[twack]

i got one as a filler but i yanked the wires long time ago due to it being anoying (and was worthless) think i might put a 2nd boost gauge in cause i got it sitting around, just in case i want a second opinion on my boost.

[sleepy2lazy]

I tapped it into the o2 sensor wire. Its basically just for show, filler spot, and its there to impress the ladies.

-Correct me if i'm wrong guys, but If your car is basically stock, the A/F gauge is not that worthless. It reads does read your a/f. Then again, if you get an Apex'i Turbo Timer, you get all these for the price of one: o2 sensor, battery voltage, timer, and one more, can't remember.

[Elementality158]

Yes, for the ladies. Cuz anything flashing gets their attention. ;) And it makes your car look cool. Even if your car is teal.:p
...Need to paint it soon.

[s1ngletracker]

Actually, I'd say for the purposes of just being a safety/peace of mind device, its not all that bad to have one. It basically can tell you if you're running rich or lean, but now how rich or how lean with any accuracy. But I've found that its good because if its in the red all the time, its probably time to hook up the wideband to see whats going on. my 2 cents.

[niterydr]

i got one as a filler but i yanked the wires long time ago due to it being anoying (and was worthless) think i might put a 2nd boost gauge in cause i got it sitting around, just in case i want a second opinion on my boost.

Haha, this guys is funny.

Noobs, The "blinky" gauges read on a 0-1 volt signal. They are reading on a narrow band signal. They are only accurate around 14.7:1. Once you deviate from that air fuel ratio (which is Stoiciometric* ).
*Stoiciometric is the air/fuel ratio for gasoline where the correct amount of air and fuel are used to produce a "perfect" combustion, meaning the only thing leftover is water and carbon dioxide.

A wideband afr meter uses a lambda sensor (o2 sensor for those attempting to follow along) that reads on a 0-5 volt scale.

The issue with using a 0-1 volt signal is that the way the voltage is sent. If it is just a little bit leaner or richer than 14.7 you are hosed.
http://www.turbobits.co.uk/acatalog/narrowband_output_graph_320.jpg

See the graph? Voltage deviates just a little bit from stoic and you are hosed. Yeah you are "lean" or "rich" but how much?

This is where a wideband 02 setup comes into play.
http://www.turbobits.co.uk/acatalog/wideband_output_graph_320.jpg

This is a much more accurate way of measuring what the oxygen level in the exhaust system really is.

I'll save on how an 02 sensor actually works and the differences between different types of 02 sensors for another day.
Just remember that the blinky gauges are virtually useless when trying to tune for power. An engine operates at stoic afr ratios (give or take a few .1 of an airfuel ratio) near cruising and idle.
Decel, accel, part throttle, and WOT all have different target AFR's.

***Pictures taken from a Innovative LM-1 supliment.

[s1ngletracker]

^^ good information josh!

Like i said, safety device only. It will tell you if you are rich or lean ;) so if its in the red, be careful, get a better measurement before beating on it. And absolutely don't tune with one.