PDA

View Full Version : Oil Pressure Safety/Warning switch

DCR
22-09-08, 08:30 PM
Anyone know of a good, reliable Oil Pressure Switch that I can rig up with a big arse alarm and light?
greenhj
22-09-08, 08:45 PM
autometer do a selection of them, id imagine vdo would do a lot of oem ranges.

What sort of low pressure setting would set the alarm?
2rismo
22-09-08, 09:08 PM
Buy the big Autometer light and whichever switch you think you'd like to warned at. I have a 30psi one in the R33.
HoonBoy
22-09-08, 09:17 PM
Generic ones come in all sorts of pressure ratings. Check the pressure at idle with the engine warm so that you can get one above that or it will be on all the time when it shouldn't be. If you don't have an extra fitting in the engine for it, you can use a t-piece on the guage fitting, I remote mounted mine to reduce the weight and vibrations from the huge pressuge guage sender.
Glenno
22-09-08, 09:52 PM
Generic ones come in all sorts of pressure ratings. Check the pressure at idle with the engine warm so that you can get one above that or it will be on all the time when it shouldn't be. If you don't have an extra fitting in the engine for it, you can use a t-piece on the guage fitting, I remote mounted mine to reduce the weight and vibrations from the huge pressuge guage sender.

What hose did you use to do the remote setup?
HoonBoy
22-09-08, 09:55 PM
Braided of some sort that was left over from another job and just happened to have the perfect fittings... done over 100 runs on the dyno and 30 or so laps of Wakefield without any issues so far. (of course it will die now that I have said it is OK:( )
Guido
22-09-08, 09:59 PM
I run a 30PSI Hobbs pressure switch. It does mean that the light glows once warm at idle, this will be rectified with the new computer so that it only glows if over 1500rpm.
DCR
23-09-08, 06:44 AM
Where is the best place to get one from? I take it you plumb it into an oil line and send a light back at the dash?
dsm2002
23-09-08, 08:09 AM
I recall a 'how to' and discussion about this on S14.net (highlight=oil+pressure+switch+light).
Cal
23-09-08, 09:46 AM
I got my 40psi Hobbs switch #76078-40 from Flexible Drive Agencies. It was $40. The LED comes from Jaycar and are $13. I run the switch at the remote oil filter which is not ideal. It should be much closer to the oil pump. I am going to fit it to the sandwich plate between the oil filter and the block. The electrics I do not have a clue about and had my mechanic do. Hope this helps.
PlacentaJuan
23-09-08, 10:28 AM
so your car doesnt have the stock warning light?

if it does have the stock one, could you just wire up a realy to trigger a bigger light and/or warning horn?
GHaST
23-09-08, 11:58 AM
Some people mentioned that if there is a warning. its generally too late, if your driving (perhaps hard)..

What about a engine cut out, with override switch. Dunno, just throwing it out there ;)
Glenno
23-09-08, 12:05 PM
Some people mentioned that if there is a warning. its generally too late, if your driving (perhaps hard)..

What about a engine cut out, with override switch. Dunno, just throwing it out there ;)

Problem is on the track if your engine completely cuts out suddenly theres a fair chance of someone plowing into the back of you. Have to be careful with overtemp rev cuts for the same reason.

30psi is "just" enough for you to get out of the way and manually shut down, normal factory warning lights usually are around 5psi which is way too late.
Cal
23-09-08, 12:08 PM
Some people mentioned that if there is a warning. its generally too late, if your driving (perhaps hard)..

What about a engine cut out, with override switch. Dunno, just throwing it out there ;)

Yeah you could do that, but I wouldn't be putting it at 40psi. Even with a baffled sump, I get some surge and the light flickers. Also, as Sam mentioned it will be on below 2000rpm or so. My engine builder told me if the light comes on I have 2 1/2 seconds to kill it. :) At $20 a set, I replace the oil pump gears at rebuild time.