I just installed a electrical temp gauge on my 97 sportsman 500. I used a 3/4 copper tee on the upper radiator hose just in front of the thermostat housing. I seems to be working ok but the thermostat seems to be opening at 180 and the fan kicks in at 210 and shuts of at 195. My Haynes manual says it should be opening at 176 and fully open at 205 which doesnt seem to be much of a problem. The thing I was wondering about is that manual says that the fan should kicking in at 190 and shut off at 175. Is there a way to verify that the gauge is accurate? Is the temp differance the acual differance between tha radiator tank and the head?

Thanks for any help on any of this

 

A fan Kicking on at 210,is fine it just matters if it kicks on before boiling over point. Water boils at 212 atmosphere but under a pressure of a cooling system,its raised to 250 or greater depending on your Rad caps psi rating.

I have a aftermarket thermal switch on my ATV from a auto store that kicks in later and off later then the stock Polaris but its well within safety.

Your new temp gauge readings are fine. The temp light come on before boiling point and there set at 230 I think.

If your new temp gauge starts getting close to 250 then shut the ATV down.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

those temps sound fine.

 

Agree with all of the above - sounds fine.

Remember that the fan switch/sensor is located on the bottom of the radiator, whereas your new temp sensor/gauge is at the engine/thermostat. Temp at those 2 places isn't the same.

I have my aftermarket temp gauge installed in the same place. Going off what i remember, my fan kicks on around 210* and turns off around 180*.