Hewitt Dual Pressure Fuel Gauge

[Killgore]

I've got the GDP 2-mic filter set-up. My question concerns the feasibility (cost verses benefit) of adding a Hewitt dual pressure fuel gauge to monitor pressures before the primary and after the GDP. This would give me a baseline for filter replacement as well as a means to keep an eye on my in-tank lift pump. I know, I know, the CP-3 is suppose to be bomb proof compared to the older injection pumps, but my understanding is that it still requires fuel for cooling, lubrication and prevent cavitation. Is this a logical thought process I'm using?

Hewitt has discontinued selling their isolators due to problems leaking. Does anyone have a recommendation on isolators, or would you just run the lines to the gauge and hope for the best?

- Ed

 

[PWong]

One gauge before the cp3 would serve your purpose of monitoring the fuel filter and the lift pump operation.

 

[Wayne M.]

Ed, could you show what the gauge setup looks like? Sounds spiffy. An isolator setup is complex, but the right way to do an in cab monitoring of fuel pressure. I sorta searched for a low pressure electric sender that was feasible but I gave up. If you really want to measure Delta P across the filter, how about this?

http://www.ashcroft.com/products/pr...30-differential-pressure-gauge.cfm#undefined2

 

[cerberusiam]

A gauge at the CP-3 inlet is all you need to monitor LP and filter health. There is so little benfit in 2 gauges it is not worth it. Isolators are so simple but ufortunately they leak and that is why a lot of them are gone. Not needed with the advent of the stepper motor gauges. The only isolator you need anymore an 18" grease gun hose to mount the electric sender on so the engine vibes don't kill it.

 

[Killgore]

DESCRIPTION

Pre / Post Pressure Gauge, Dual
2" diameter
Pressure range: 0 - 30 psi
2 pointers, 250° arc pointer sweep.
Pointer and Dial L.E.D. Illuminated
Internal 12 VDC (24 VDC available)

I am struggling to get the picture and description to paste. (Where are the grand-kids when you need them?) Anyhow, the web site is hewittindustries.com. The price quoted to me was $89.80, (no isolators). There again I've been running pressurized oil into the cab for fifty years with no issues. If the pressure dropped to 3-5 psi at the CP-3, you would have to do a filter replacement to absolutely know if it was the filter or LP. With the dual gauge you would already know for sure. I've got 225,000 on the pump and just think I would feel better if I was able to get a better feel on it's general health before I was in Timbuktu where nobody speaks ingles.
- Ed

 

[Killgore]

-101-xx-x

description-101-XX-X

DESCRIPTION

Geez, I'm helpless!

 

[seafish]

Westach Gauges, who have been making aircraft certified gauges for about 40 years, can and will make a custom dual gauge in the 2" diameter sizes and be able to supply you with any of the sending units and/or isolators necessary. This is the same company that makes the dual egt/boost gauge that Genos sells for our trucks. They are available in either the white background with black numbers or vice versa. I have been to their factory and talked with their designer/owner and I have no doubt that whatever I order from them will be of the highest quality. The dual gauges are no more expensive then ordering the same two individual gauges with senders.

 

[Wayne M.]

Seafish, that's a great idea. I wonder if they would do a dual needle low pressure unit for us ?

 

[Killgore]

I'll have to say that I've got the Westach dual EGT/boost, and I'm well satisfied with it, and would no doubt be pleased with their dual fuel pressure gauge if it could be purchased.l
- Ed

 

[seafish]

I'll have to say that I've got the Westach dual EGT/boost, and I'm well satisfied with it, and would no doubt be pleased with their dual fuel pressure gauge if it could be purchased.l
- Ed

While they do not have a dual FUEL pressure gauge listed, they do have a duel oil pressure gauge (0 to 80psi, too much for you). But I know fro visiting them, that they can and do make everything using templates that tehya already have. The duel OP gauge itself is only $122, though I do not know if that include the sending units. You will need to ask them. IIRC, they also have two different quality levels of fuel pressure sending units, so you should be SURE to ask them about that. The more expensive will last forever, but IS much more expensive IIRC, but the more commonly available one is prone to eventual failure in vibrating environments.

Here is a link to their website, you need to scroll down on the left to products, then gauges, then duel gauges, then 2" gauges to find out what is stock, but even then, they will make a "custom gauge" with zero mark-up as long as they can use on of their many templates for the gauge dial.

http://www.westach.com

You can order directly from them…just give them a call to ask them any questions and let them know what you want….I highly doubt that they will not be able to help you.

 

[seafish]

Seafish, that's a great idea. I wonder if they would do a dual needle low pressure unit for us ?

Wayne, if I can ever affords it, they are going to make me a 4" quad gauge that will be JUST for the HE351ve turbo that I retrofit into my truck. The gauge will have Drive pressure and Boost pressure on the left and right, and then EGT up top and Turbo shaft RPM (calibrated to 160k) on the bottom…In short, if they can make me that, then I think they can make you ANYTHING. FYI--I spent a LONG time talking with Pete Cornelius (one of the two owners) at their factory and he let me know that they are happy make just about gauge type for anybody and that they already have most any dial template they can combine with most any type of sending unit. A dual LP fuel pressure gauge is one of the eight gauges that I already have talked with them about, just have not had the extra $$ to put the whole order in yet. Hoping after tax day this year I'll get er done. If you guys want I can check my notes as to the part # of just such a gauge, but it would be just as easy to talk with Pete at Westach to make sure that YOU are getttign what YOU want. Here is more contact info--

WESTACH Guages
3400 Westach Way, Sonoma, CA, 95476

attn: Pete Cornelius

PHONE - Monday to Friday 7:30AM-4:00PM PST - (707) 938-2121 - (800) 400-7024

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow, seafish, that's gonna be some unit! I know Autometer makes a quad gauge but large, and meant for street rods- kinda looks like the gauge the old jeeps had. Ed, one other alternative I thought about was using the single fuel press gauge with two senders. You can use a Double throw toggle switch to switch between the two senders.

 

[Killgore]

Wayne, that's a good idea too. It appears between you and Seafish that both of you have put some thought in this general direction. Maybe I'm not getting too goofy in my old age? I will go further and if it is reasonable dollar-wise give it more consideration. Of course I need to come up with a gauge mount to go in that worthless '06 cubby hole.

I wish that two-headed dog that guards the gates of hell would tell me I'm not crazy, maybe just too paranoid?

- Ed

 

[mwilson]

Ed, just for you.....

 

[Killgore]

And, I wish I had bought a billet aluminum fuel filter cap when they were available.

 

[Killgore]

Thanks Mike for posting that. Like I said, my expertise is limited.

 

[cerberusiam]

Gauges and styles are an artistic expression of the owner. They can be minimalistic and funtional, or gaudy and hi-tech. It is YOUR truck and YOUR money so spend it as you see fit.

As for functiuonality, one gauge at the CP-3 is quite sufficient to monitor LP pressure and filter health. The reality is the first time you see a differnece from the normal baseline you will investigate and likely change the filter as a first step. The crappy fuel we have and the chances of getting a bad batch are too high to ignore the filter as first step.

If one gauge goes bad and starts reading wrong you will investigate. With 2 gauges if goes bad and the other is good you have twice the decisions to make as to what is right\wrong and where to start. Once you get used to glancing at the gauges and seein the normal positions a change gets noticed pretty eeasily. A single gauge per parameter with a comparable sweep on all the gauges makes it easier to judge at a glance. With too many bright shiny things to look at one can find themsleves lookign and judging readings rather than looking and judging the road and immediate circumstances.

Paranoia, functionality, and visual impact aside, it is your choice.

 

[mwilson]

No problem Ed.


This forum will fight you on the size of some PDF's. I have resorted to using screen shots as a result.

 

[mwilson]

With too many bright shiny things to look at one can find themselves looking and judging readings rather than looking and judging the road and immediate circumstances.

Very True. If you drive something with a dash that looks like the one shown below for 120,000 miles a year then you do get accustomed to the normal needle positions and catch issues at a glance. But to a casual driver too many gauges are a distraction.

I drove a Peterbilt with this same gauge cluster years ago....

 

[Killgore]

Ouch! I would have to agree with the Cerberus on that. That would take some getting use to. My old International 4070 was pretty spartan in comparison. And, thinking back on it the speedometer didn't even work.
- Ed