Temperature Sensor Location
November 10, 2004 - 6:33am
Greasers,
I'm looking to install a temp sensor that will allow me to know when my oil is warm enough to switch. Where should this sensor be placed? I know that many people place it inline with the fuel in the engine compartment. Does this work well since there is no VO movement prior to switching? I was thinking of placing one in the VO tank by adding a threaded port for a standard cyl. head coolant sensor. Any negative effects of having a low current running through the steel VO tank? Thanks for your help.
William Gum
November 10, 2004 - 1:48pm
#2
I put my temp sensor on the grease filter under the hood. I'm not too concerned that the grease tank is up to temperature, I just want to make sure the grease going into my injector pump is up to temp. I've not had a problem with the grease making it from the trunk to the engine compartment when it's cold. So the coolant lines that go around the grease filter heat that up -- when that's warm enough I switch.
Brian
November 10, 2004 - 8:04pm
#3
I want to have two... one temp gauge on the 60 gallon heated tank and the other one somewhere on the fuel line prior to the fuel selector valve.
But, how do we add a temp gauge onto a line? Do we fabricate a chamber large enough for a thermowell?
Todd T
November 11, 2004 - 8:17am
#4
I bought my temp sensor and guage last night, wired most of it last night...the plan is to install it in a brass T, and ground that to the chassis...will install directly after my heated filter...and when i get my heat exchanger next week, i will install it directly after that.
November 11, 2004 - 8:39am
#5
Hey golftdi, where did you get the thermoswitch, make, part number etc. How have you got it wired. Sounds like a great idea.
November 19, 2004 - 11:06am
#6
yes, which therm switch did you use?
McMaster carr sells a therm gauge and you can pick the temp range with various lengths of leads over 16' if you want to put it in the tank. I think the best spot would be after your heat exchanger right before it enters the injector pump. I am still deciding what to get.
any other makes, models, and sources greasers can quote for
1.heat exchangers
2. temperature sensors and gauges
cheers to all
December 5, 2004 - 2:49pm
#7
what type of temperature switch did you get?
December 16, 2004 - 9:42am
#8
Where did you get the parts,and do you have part numbers? I keep swiching over to soon and the I stall all bad !!!!!!
December 17, 2004 - 6:17pm
#9
I have a very efficient heat exchanger, sensor and gauge, the sensor and gauge are not up yet but the exchangers are. www.frybrid.com.
I am posting this as greascar does not sell these items, if it is an issue have Lee email me and I will stop or just delete this post. Do not want to offend Greasecar.
Chris
December 18, 2004 - 10:16am
#10
On the old VW Rabbit, I installed a $10 indoor/outdoor battery operated digital thermometer that has about an 8 foot wire with a pick-up on the end. I just attached to the dash with some velcro and taped the other end to the supply hose running to the veg tank. I have learned that when my engine is just up to full operating temperature the digital readout is about 80-90 degrees. As the hose warms up further it gets up to about 135 degrees. This is the OUTSIDE TEMP of the hose....not the oil temp, but it is a visual reference telling me when it's safe to switch over. Initially, after installing the Greasecar kit, I would reach under the passenger seat and feel the hose temp but now just look at the reference on the dash. Keep in mind this is a just a "low budget" solution but it works for me. Also, this particular unit has a 155 degree display upper limit so placing in on the outside of the rubber heater hose gives me a usable reference that shows temperature variations depending on conditions. Placing the "probe" in direct contact with the hottest point in the system would "max out" the digital display and possibly damage the probe. This has worked well for me but as I get ready to convert my second car I'm very interested in upgrading the excellent Greasecar kit with some of cgoodwin's goodies.
Tom
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Grease is still the word!
1978 Mercedes 300CD
1981 Rabbit Pickup POS
1992 F-250 7.3
1960 Morris Minor 1000 Convertible (Datsun Power)
John Deere 410 Backhoe
December 28, 2004 - 9:53pm
#11
Rabbit Man - I like your solution, I plan on trying something like this
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-4557098-6455044?_encoding=UTF8&...
Still under $20 and similar to your thermometer, but with a 392 degree F upper limit. Don't know if 4 foot cord will be long enough, if not I'll try to rig an extension.
December 29, 2004 - 12:58am
#12
Place the sensor in the return line and get an accurate indication of what temp the injectors are getting.
Chris
December 29, 2004 - 8:58am
#13
let me know if this works for you, and what kind of extension you rigged
I have a mercedes 300sd and need to get a temp device installed.
Keep on Greasin
December 29, 2004 - 1:40pm
#14
I'm a sucker for instrumentation. I have two temp gauges.... one for coolant and one for veggie. I have bought additional sending units (about $14 each, Autometer) so I can check temps at various points along the system. A 3 to 6 position switch will allow me to check the different points through the same gauge.
On the coolant side, I'm going to check the temp as it comes out of the engine in order to improve on the factory gauge (which is worthless). I'll also check it as it leaves the heat exchanger heading back to the engine. I may check it along the path near the solenoid as a way to check the efficiency of the Greasel Hose in Hose hardware.
I will check the veggie in the tank, on top of my heated Racor (using a blanket, not the Racor heater) and immediately before the veggie goes into the solenoid. I may also run a temp on the fuel return line. Depending on how close I can get it to the engine, it will tell me how hot the fuel is close to the injectors.
With a 6 position dial switch, you could do this with one gauge and 5 additional sending units.
Todd T
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I've got a thrermoswitch with the sending unit inside the SVO tank. From the switch, the current then goes to my manual switch. So I flip the manual switch, and when the SVO is hot enough, a light comes on and the fuel selector is engaged. You'll need to set the thermoswitch though. I used a meat thermometer for that.
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If a horse can eat green *&!# and run like a mother-&*#!er then so can {my car}!
-Miles Davis