Electric Oil Pressure Gauge (2016)

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Deets55

Deets55

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Has any one ever tried installing an electric oil pressure gauge on a Commando. I am considering installing a conventional gauge on my MKIII but I can not seem to find a good location for one. I am concerned about the oil line moving all around with the handle bar mounted ones.. Old Britts has one that runs down the steering stem but it's $$$$$$$$$$!!!. My idea is to do a left side oil feed delete by drilling the rocker spindles, then run a hose from the left side to a sending unit that could be mounted where the ballast resistor use to sit. Then just wire it in. I suspect I might need another piece of hardware to get the sending unit to talk to the gauge.
At the very least I would like the mount a temporary gauge directly on the left side oil feed so when I start the motor after this rebuild I can monitor the oil pressure.I see on some Harley sites there is an adapter, but of course it's not the proper thread size. If anyone has info on a good way to do that I would appreciate it.

Pete
 
I too, have considered an electric gauge for the same reason you state. I would like to go one step further by mounting the sending unit direct to the timing case port (under the pressure relief valve). That way there are no additional oil lines or hoses to rupture and spray hot oil over me and the engine.

The main problem, as you state, is finding a sending unit with the right thread .... anyone know of one?

I would think no additional hardware would be necessary if you use a gauge compatible with the sending unit.

If you go with your proposed oil tap and sending unit mount, the hose from the rocker feed to the sending unit will be subjected to engine vibration, in the short term, no problem, but something to consider long term.

Slick
 
Although positive earth/ground gauges/senders exist, the majority of electric oil pressure gauges will be for negative earth/ground (although not a problem if the bike's electrical system has been converted).

Also, most electric oil gauges are intended for cars, trucks etc. so the sender units tend to be rather large items!
 
L.A.B. said:
Although positive earth/ground gauges/senders exist, the majority of electric oil pressure gauges will be for negative earth/ground electrics (although not a problem if the bike's electrical system has been converted).

Also, most electric oil gauges are intended for cars, trucks etc. so the sender units tend to be rather large items!
Click to expand...

Thanks LAB, I have to admit I did not consider the positive earth challenge. Isn't the operating principle of a sending unit variable resistance? If so, the gauge is simply an ammeter and the terminal polarity could (maybe?) be reversed.

Most auto sending units are 1/4 NPT (US market). That could be a plus if someone with a small lathe wished to turn it down and cut threads for the timing case plug. I have seen some that are not overly large (about 1" OD, perhaps smaller) in the main body.

Slick

Update: I did some web surfing. It seems that the slim pressure sensors are pricey ... $US 110 -120. The typical units are large, as LAB points out, and run $20 - 40. I could not find dimensions, but slim ones look to be 1" OD by 1.5" long, the typical ones look to be 1.5 "OD by 2" long. Most are 1/8 NPT which could be turned down for 5/16 bsf thread providing the hole is not too large.

An alternative is to wire in an idiot light. The oil pressure switches are considerably smaller and cheaper.
 
Les,

Did't think about the polarity issue, but since the sending unit probably works on resistance it may not present a problem. Like you said if I can isolate the gauge that should solve that problem. If I run a SS hose from the head I might have room to stick the sender where the ballast was and hide it there.

Slick,

Yes, the tap idea would be a short term thing. Probable just long enough to break in the cam. Jim has my head and barrels right now. I plan on running this past him when I get a chance.

Thanks for the input

Pete
 
texasSlick said:
I have to admit I did not consider the positive earth challenge. Isn't the operating principle of a sending unit variable resistance? If so, the gauge is simply an ammeter and the terminal polarity could (maybe?) be reversed.
Click to expand...

I expect it's possible. But it seems positive earth gauges can still be found: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Veglia-oi ... _wFL3Z_Byg


Deets55 said:
Did't think about the polarity issue, but since the sending unit probably works on resistance it may not present a problem.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think you're right that the sender isn't polarity sensitive.

Diagrams for Veglia (Neg. & Pos. Earth) gauges similar to the one in the ebay link:
Electric Oil Pressure Gauge (2016)
 
Anyone know the thread specs for the timing case rocker oil feed tap?
 
I am pretty sure I have seen someone tap out the rocker spindle cover and put a 90* brass elbow on it. That might put a usable thread in the loop. I am sure there is a way to use a banjo and hose on the head and use some sort of AN ( perhaps a 2) fitting to on the other end to connect a sender.
 
Deets55 said:
I am pretty sure I have seen someone tap out the rocker spindle cover and put a 90* brass elbow on it. That might put a usable thread in the loop. I am sure there is a way to use a banjo and hose on the head and use some sort of AN ( perhaps a 2) fitting to on the other end to connect a sender.
Click to expand...

If you trust a nylon tube, there are miniature push-in fittings available. I have some that use a 5/32" nylon tube and have a 10-32 straight thread. Nylon can take the temperature and pressure. For a temporary set up, I would not have any qualms using nylon. The 10-32 thread will tap nicely into the spindle cover, then can be blanked off with a 10-32 plug when you abandon the temporary system.

Slick
 
Thanks Slick.

That's an idea. I'll do a little more research, I have some time before I have to worry about that. I have seen banjo fitting, SS hose with a gauge sold as a kit that I can use as a temp solution and later covert to a permanent installation if I chose. I think it was JP cycle.

Pete
 
I am considering installing a conventional gauge on my MKIII but I can not seem to find a good location for one.
Click to expand...


This is one location I use for my Oil Pressure Gauge Kits, mostly for Mk 3 models.

Electric Oil Pressure Gauge (2016)
 
NorComCycles said:
I am considering installing a conventional gauge on my MKIII but I can not seem to find a good location for one.
Click to expand...


This is one location I use for my Oil Pressure Gauge Kits, mostly for Mk 3 models.

Electric Oil Pressure Gauge (2016)
Click to expand...


That looks pretty good. Where did you source that unit out at.
Pete
 
Deets55 said:
NorComCycles said:
I am considering installing a conventional gauge on my MKIII but I can not seem to find a good location for one.
Click to expand...


This is one location I use for my Oil Pressure Gauge Kits, mostly for Mk 3 models.

Electric Oil Pressure Gauge (2016)
Click to expand...


That looks pretty good. Where did you source that unit out at.
Pete
Click to expand...


I developed a kit that is based on a braided overhead line modified with compatible fittings, and the oil pressure gauge set-up, with that being one possible mount location (handy for Mk 3 models due to the centre dash).
There was quite a bit of messing about to get it all organised, but it fits well, works correctly, and I think has good visual appeal.
I will be offering the kit for sale in due course.

It can also be run as an oil pressure switch instead of the gauge. Unlike the gauge, the switch would be unseen(plugged into the overhead line where the gauge line would go), and the alt light would be converted to an OP warning light.
 
acadian said:
has anyone attempted one of these units? only question would be where to mount the warning light

http://www.drcproducts.com/elect/d45-71/index.html

Electric Oil Pressure Gauge (2016)
Click to expand...

That looks to be a clean way to mount a switch. The problem I see is whether it is compatible with our Norton banjo bolts. The product shown uses 10 mm banjo bolts. That seems too large for our 5/16 bsf banjo bolts, which are about 8 mm.

Slick
 
This one is direct reading, bit smaller and less obtrusive. I did contemplate cutting a hole in the top of the headlight but it's an SS700 and I didn't want to ruin it.
 

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