Added a gauge cluster...
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10-23-2008, 15:04
Post: #1
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Added a gauge cluster...
...& my oil pressure is just fine, folks. Mechanical unit verified
60lbs at startup. The sending unit for the front gauge is shot. I'll get a new one ordered in the morning. In the meantime, I added a cluster of three gauges in the back of the coach tonight: http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge1.jpg http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge2.jpg They look real purty all lit up. I've got a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the right, volts in the center and coolant temp on the left - haven't hooked the coolant temp lead up yet, though. Still trying to figure out how to go about that one. Anyway, they're tied into the rear lighting so they only come on with the engine door open. This was a pretty easy project once I found that oil pressure sending unit. Cost me all of forty bucks and will come in real handy when doing any sort of engine troubleshooting. Huge thanks for all of the advice on that sending unit. -Ryan '86 PT-40 8V92 |
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10-24-2008, 10:22
Post: #2
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Added a gauge cluster...
How did you hook up the oil press gauge? This is on my list to do as
well. Scott Forman 86 PT38 Memphis --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright" > > ...& my oil pressure is just fine, folks. Mechanical unit verified > 60lbs at startup. The sending unit for the front gauge is shot. I'll > get a new one ordered in the morning. > > In the meantime, I added a cluster of three gauges in the back of the > coach tonight: > > http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge1.jpg > http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge2.jpg > > They look real purty all lit up. I've got a mechanical oil pressure > gauge on the right, volts in the center and coolant temp on the left - > haven't hooked the coolant temp lead up yet, though. Still trying to > figure out how to go about that one. Anyway, they're tied into the > rear lighting so they only come on with the engine door open. This was > a pretty easy project once I found that oil pressure sending unit. > Cost me all of forty bucks and will come in real handy when doing any > sort of engine troubleshooting. > > Huge thanks for all of the advice on that sending unit. > > -Ryan > '86 PT-40 8V92 > |
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10-24-2008, 10:37
Post: #3
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Added a gauge cluster...
I see exhaust blankets!
Firwin priced out my system at 191.00 for turbo & manifold, 350.00 for the pipes to base of muffler, 150.00 for muffler or stack, not to bad. Scott how about some more details on new gauges, I think this is a great idea. Then again there are few upgrades I don't like. :} Kurt Horvath 95 PT 42 10AC --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <scottforman75@...> wrote: > > How did you hook up the oil press gauge? This is on my list to do as > well. > > Scott Forman > 86 PT38 > Memphis > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright" > > > > > ...& my oil pressure is just fine, folks. Mechanical unit verified > > 60lbs at startup. The sending unit for the front gauge is shot. I'll > > get a new one ordered in the morning. > > > > In the meantime, I added a cluster of three gauges in the back of > the > > coach tonight: > > > > http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge1.jpg > > http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge2.jpg > > > > They look real purty all lit up. I've got a mechanical oil pressure > > gauge on the right, volts in the center and coolant temp on the > left - > > haven't hooked the coolant temp lead up yet, though. Still trying to > > figure out how to go about that one. Anyway, they're tied into the > > rear lighting so they only come on with the engine door open. This > was > > a pretty easy project once I found that oil pressure sending unit. > > Cost me all of forty bucks and will come in real handy when doing > any > > sort of engine troubleshooting. > > > > Huge thanks for all of the advice on that sending unit. > > > > -Ryan > > '86 PT-40 8V92 > > > |
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10-24-2008, 12:35
Post: #4
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Added a gauge cluster...
Ryan, Nice job on the engine compartment gauge cluster, especially the switched back lighting. A mechanical oil pressure gauge makes sense. I didn't find mention of 'parallel gauge' issues in previous posts leading up to the one I'm responding to. If you weren't already aware of it, electrical gauges are resistive devices. When you stack one on top of the other, such as two identical water temp gauges, the parallel resistance of the gauges is now half what the sending unit was designed for. The result can be an erroneous gauge reading sometimes twice what it should be. To take this into account, you either have to have two separate sending units or a sending unit specified as handling two gauges. That special sending unit can only be used with two gauges and not one. If an additional water temp sending unit is installed, it is important to have it located where it will give an honest reading of engine coolant temperature; just any threaded plug in the coolant system might not be appropriate. Another issue is the location of a coolant temp too high in the system. If the coolant level falls below the sensor, it will no longer be reading coolant temp. Newer engines incorporate warning indicators and some auto shutdown procedures. Older engines may include after-market alarms for high coolant temperature or low oil pressure, but the later is tricky on two cycle Detroits that might exhibit as little as 8 lbs at idle, but still be healthy. Alarm sensors (switches) are a topic for another discussion. Gauges, got to have them. Even better, training the eye to scan them regularly while driving. Regards, Donn 76 FC33 South Kingstown, RI From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ryan Wright Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 11:04 PM To: wanderlodgeforum Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Added a gauge cluster... ...& my oil pressure is just fine, folks. Mechanical unit verified 60lbs at startup. The sending unit for the front gauge is shot. I'll get a new one ordered in the morning. In the meantime, I added a cluster of three gauges in the back of the coach tonight: http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge1.jpg http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/eng-gauge2.jpg They look real purty all lit up. I've got a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the right, volts in the center and coolant temp on the left - haven't hooked the coolant temp lead up yet, though. Still trying to figure out how to go about that one. Anyway, they're tied into the rear lighting so they only come on with the engine door open. This was a pretty easy project once I found that oil pressure sending unit. Cost me all of forty bucks and will come in real handy when doing any sort of engine troubleshooting. Huge thanks for all of the advice on that sending unit. -Ryan '86 PT-40 8V92 |
10-27-2008, 11:47
Post: #5
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Added a gauge cluster...
On Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 3:22 PM, Scott Forman <scottforman75@...> wrote:
> How did you hook up the oil press gauge? This is on my list to do as > well. Scott, See the picture of my existing oil pressure sending units here: http://www.ryanwright.com/tmp/sensor.jpg There are two extra ports there. I took out the plug in the left port (next to the little sensor) and screwed the adapter that came with the gauge cluster right onto there. A thin tube (also came with the gauges) then carries oil up to the gauge, and pressure is sensed that way. I zip-tied (lightly so as not to crush the tubing) the tube to various places along the way. I fabricated the bracket out of angle iron, it attaches to existing bolts behind that ignition box, so no drilling or modification of coach parts was required. I try to structure any modifications so as to be invisibly reversible wherever possible. I may have to drill into my cooling system somewhere to mount the sensor for the temperature gauge. I'm not excited about doing this... I'll probably fabricate a small metal box containing the sensor, then place it between two sections of existing flexible coolant line, so it can also be un-done. -Ryan '86 PT-40 8V92 |
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