First Try DIY: Oil+Fuel Pressure LCD Display

MotorvateDIY

First Try DIY: Oil+Fuel Pressure LCD Display


Here is an update on the DIY multi-function gauges I have been working on.

The main reason I wanted to do this, was to have an in car oil pressure gauge/display. I have been reading many posts of people's galley gaskets failing, and since I had already installed a 150 psi oil pressure sensor a year ago, I was already half done.

The first working prototype is done and overall it works well.
What's Good:
• Large 4.3" display
• Good resolution at 480x272
• Display has built in embedded video engine (like a GPU)
• Fast 60 frames per second graphic rendering
• Hardware anti-aliasing (give the appearance of higher resolution)
• Has capacitive (5 point!) touch screen
• Arduino Uno clone sends "light weight" commands to the LCD's embedded video engine

What's NOT Good:
• Viewing angle is small
• High cost ($130 in 2017)
• Creates analog noise that causes the gauge's "needle shake"
• LCD colours are not fully saturated.
• Too bulky resulting in no logical place to put it. However, it did fit nicely in the glove box, but that it too low and too far away from the driver in my opinion.
​​​​​​​• My oil pressure in in spec!!

As a result, the development of this prototype has been stopped.

BUT with everything learned on the first version, we will be applying it to the second generation gauges / mini-dash.

I should have the next update in a few weeks.

Here is a short video of the first prototype:

Rusty

Your oil pressure is low. Mine is 37 at a hot idle.

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MotorvateDIY

Wow, that seem high. Was is your oil pressure at 2,000 RPM?
Is you oil pressure sensor connected to the engine block, or sandwich plate?

Averying

Agree w/ rusty. Mine hovers around 35psi at idle when my gauge shows 180°. I do have my oil pressure sensor connected pre-cooler though. Not sure how much of a difference that makes.


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MotorvateDIY

Ah... that explains the high pressure.

If the oil pressure gauge is mounted before the oil cooler, it is also mounted before the oil filter.

So... your actual engine oil pressure = pressure drop from the oil cooler - pressure drop from the oil filter - pressure drop from the fittings/lines.

From https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/do...ocID=TECH00133

Using real numbers, with a 10 GPM flow rate as an example (not uncommon for an engine running 6000 - 8000 RPM), the 20-row Series 9 will introduce a 5 psi pressure drop from inlet to outlet. (Note that a single 90 degree fitting in your oil line could cause more restriction than that.) The 25-row Series 6 will cause a 2.6 psi drop. .

It would be interesting to see the oil pressure with the sensor mounted to the engine for those that have an engine oil cooler - only then is it measuring the internal engine oil pressure after the cooler and after the oil filter.

Averying

That is true that there’s be pressure loss through the lines, cooler, filter. But at low RPM idle like we’re talking about, I imagine this is pretty small.

Post #7 in the link below from Improved Racing says to expect a 5-6 psi drop through the lines and cooler at high RPM. I’d assume this is more like 1-2 psi at idle.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...sure-drop.html

I actually plan on getting one of Improved Racing’s billet sandwich plates to relocate my oil pressure sensor location. I’m also curious to see for myself what psi drop happens across all the lines/cooler/filter


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Rusty

I'm tapped into the block. I used a tee for the factory sensor and the SpeedHut sensor.

Here's a thread I started about oil pressure.

Observed Oil Pressure with a gauge

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JARblue

Is there a particular material you would recommend for the adapter? I'm seeing aluminum ones mostly.

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Averying

Somewhat unrelated to your question, but I’d recommend an AN adapter that tees off an oil line instead. If installed on the oil return line to the sandwich plate, I assume the reading is basically the same as the OEM spot.

The tee adapters to fit into the block seemed to be tough to find and of questionable quality when I looked into it. The one I did end up ordering turned out to be absolute junk and didn’t thread in to the block properly.

I instead used an AN adapter with NPT port and it was easier to install, easier to find/order, and seems to be way better quality and more robust.


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Rusty

Here's the one I got.

Oil Pressure Gauge Adapter (BSP & NPT)

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JARblue

That link doesn't work anymore. I found it on the website but I can't add it to my cart for some reason

1/8" BSPT, Oil Pressure Sensor Adapter, Dual 1/8" NPT - Autotech Motoring Parts - Autotech Motoring

Not sure exactly what's going on but here's an interesting product on the website:
http://www.autotechmotoring.com/prod.../misc-purchase

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Averying

Here’s an interesting option. Gives you 3 spots for different orientations of the sensor.

https://www.kseriesparts.com/KTD-OPS...SABEgJYB_D_BwE


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Rusty

Might want to give them a call.

You buying it?

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MotorvateDIY

There is no need to keep the factory oil pressure switch, if you are installing a pressure gauge.

The switch is wired directly to the IPDM/ER and when it sees less than 5 PSI (!!!) it grounds the single wire that connects to it, and that turns on the "low oil pressure" dash light. That's all it does... It has ZERO impact to the engine performance.

I removed my pressure switch last year, when I installed the pressure sensor.

MotorvateDIY

Interesting read, thanks for sharing it.

It would be interesting to see your oil pressure with 5W30... but I don't think it would be much different at 180F.