Lightman

I don't know if there's a way to zero it or not, but it definitely sits at 5psi as a base...

MikeyB

I agree with wannadiesel, need to check the power and ground. Where did you tap for the 12v pickup? And the ground?
Your boost is right on for WOT, and the EGTs matches mine at 70mph but the boost seems high at that speed, I'm running about 10psi cruising 70mph (no load).

MikeyB

Lightman

I've gotta take it out today and do a bit more testing. I'm still perplexed as to why my gauge reads 5psi as a minimum. I have it tapped into the 12v power source that goes to my trailer brake controller, and have it grounded to some bare metal that's down in that area as well.

Jerry R

I had problems using the 12v on the break controller. It caused my brake controller not to work. Try using the cig lighter or do what I did and run a dedicated line out to the battery. I know it keeps the gauge energized at all times, but it doesn't draw anything and works fine. The gauge reading at 5 psi all the time sounds like stray voltage on the line. Do you have a digital volt meter you can check with?

Lightman

Jerry, no I don't . What do you mean by stray voltage in the line? I'm pretty inexperienced electrically. I initally tried the cigarette lighter line but didn't get any power. I chose the orange one, I guess it could have been the black one, I don't have a tester. In any case, the cig lighter wires didn't have much slack at all, and were pretty far away to route wires from.

Whitmore

Buy one of them fuses that have the added tap on the end of the fuse...............very easy to do and the power source is right there.

MikeyB

I hooked up my 12v to the electric brake controller also. No problems to report, with or without a trailer.
Lightman, do you have an ohm meter (VOM) to verify the grounding connection is good?

MikeyB

Lightman

I dont have any sort of electrical meters or testers unfortunately. However, I was just down there messing with it, and trying different ground locations. I'm convinced the ground is solid. Every time I secure or touch it to bare metal solidly the psi on the gauge goes up to 5-6. As soon as I remove the ground wire it drops to 0. I'm wondering if the problem is tapping into the brake controller line or the gauge itself.

MikeyB

Did you tap the large 12v wire running to the controller? Also, what type of connectors did you use for splicing the wires?

MikeyB

Lightman

Yes, I tapped the large 12v going to the controller. I used a t-tap/scotch lock.

MikeyB

Lightman,
I never had good luck with those flimsy scotch lock connectors. I prefer to use butt splice connectors and crimping the wires together.

MikeyB

Lightman

OK, well I"m back with more results to report. I went to lowes, got the splice connectors, stripped the wire ends and crimped them on.. Now the connections are all nice and tight. Gauge still reads 5psi. I tried using a different power source - located the hot wire on the cig lighter , hooked up to that, and boom the gauge goes straight to 5psi. I'm at a loss at this point. All of my connections are tight and clean.

MikeyB

Your best bet is to contact Westberg Mfg tomorrow and discuss this issue. Might be a defective gauge. http://www.westach.com/

MikeyB

Lightman

That would sure be a relief to find out that the problem is not on my end after going through so much checking. On the other hand, this thing was backordered from westach through genos for more than a month, I'd be pretty annoyed. We'll see what they have to say..

Billy Ram

Lightman
I don't like the Westach combo gauges for some of the problems you are having. They don't have enough room in them for a mechanical boost gauge. The electronic gauge is not as simple to hook up. You will have a hard time reading the gauge while driving. You may want to try DiPricol. They are easy to install and look nice in your truck and are easy to reed.
Billy