Latest project...

[Gary - K7GLD]

Now that I have the head/tail lights pretty well upgraded on my '02, I thought I'd attack the fuel system again - most specifically, the fuel pressure portion as to some sort of alarm to supplement the gauges I already have installed.



About 4 times since I've owned this truck, and have had gauges and other fuel flow enhancements installed, I've lost or nearly lost fuel flow - but didn't know it until the engine began running strangely.



The gauges are certainly a plus, but we can't be watching them at all times!



SO, as an aid, I've gathered components to install both a visual and audible alarm on my fuel system that will trigger if fuel PSI drops below about 5 PSI - here's the components:



#ad


The above fittings and Hobbs switch will install between my pressure line to my electric gauge sender right here:



#ad


The round device seen in the parts pic, is a chime similar to other alarms used in the truck - clearly audible, but not objectionable - it's a common Radio Shack item. The red LED seen, is a flashing LED that I plan to install in the window pillar mount used in my dual gauge setup - I'd like to mount the chime in there as well, but not sure if there's room for it.



Total cost for all parts so far has been slightly over $30.



ANYWAY, if I again lose fuel pressure, I'll have *3* warning indicators, instead of just one!

 

[steved]

But, but, but, but everyone told me that idiot lights and buzzers have no place in a dodge truck and that you only need a guage... :-laf



This goes against everything I was told... ... and my LP light works just fine BTW...



Good install Gary... you do everything so cleanly that it looks "factory"...



steved

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

But, but, but, but everyone told me that idiot lights and buzzers have no place in a dodge truck and that you only need a guage... :-laf



This goes against everything I was told... ... and my LP light works just fine BTW...



Good install Gary... you do everything so cleanly that it looks "factory"...



steved

Well Steve - as I've mentioned before, this truck replaced my older '91 Dodge tow vehicle, my restored '70 Caddy convertible, and the '98 Camaro SS - so it has LOTS of replacement duties to perform. It has to be my tow vehicle - but also my custom, hot rod and sort of a rolling laboratory for various tests and experiments...



Plus, I prefer to focus upon presenting here some of the easier and lower cost mods and upgrades - stuff that is within reach of those owners operating on a tighter budget - we can't ALL be involved in building up sled pull and drag race champions...



Hell, I can't spend ALL my time sitting here in front of a keyboard - regardless of what some of my critics like to gripe about! :-{}



And yeah, I sorta like to plan out my installs to be as neat as possible, and usually done without extra holes or other "tracks", so that if I want to remove them later, there is no evidence they were ever there...



Another advantage of retirement I suppose - time to at least TRY to do stuff right. :-laf

 

[steved]

Plus, I prefer to focus upon presenting here some of the easier and lower cost mods and upgrades - stuff that is within reach of those owners operating on a tighter budget - we can't ALL be involved in building up sled pull and drag race champions...



Another advantage of retirement I suppose - time to at least TRY to do stuff right. :-laf

I agree. I have presented this idea on another website and gotten very NEGATIVE feedback, I have since quit visiting that website for that and other reasons... basically I was told a LP light was for idiots and that NO respectable CTD owner would have one...



However, I find that a light glaring red at you will jump out quicker than a low reading guage... you can only look at a guage so much... and if someone borrows your truck, that will catch their attention quicker than a dead guage...



And I got a while to wait for retirement... only 35 years as of now... I'm not even halfway yet... :-laf I hope I can take the time (and not be completely senile by then) to enjoy tinkering like you!





steved

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

OK - here's a pointer to a vid of the finished project - so those interested can enjoy all the sights and sounds! :-laf



YouTube - Fuel PSI Alarm



And for the no-vid guys, here's a shot underhood showing the added Hobbs switch set to trigger the alarm at about 7 PSI:



#ad




And here's the gauge pod, with the large flasher LED seen at the top gauge area:



#ad

 

[CSnyder]

Very nice install Gary! I would have to have a disable switch on the alarm though so when I lost my LP I wouldnt have to listen to it chime til I could get in somewhere to R&R the pump. You should consider selling kits like this.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The key part is the Hobbs switch - the one I used is adjustable within the 4-7 PSI range, and has Normally Closed (NC) switch contacts. I got mine on Ebay from the seller listed in the pointer below, in case someone else is looking for a source:



(OLD OUTDATED SOURCE - search Ebay for latest ones)



The other items are pretty common Radio Shack stuff...

 

[wlowe]

This looks like a worthwhile, economical upgrade. Thanks for the info Gary. I have a low pressure switch that came with my campaign lift pump, I believe it is set at 5 psi, might give that a try.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

OK - updated the installation video source in the earlier above post for anyone interested - here it is again:



YouTube - Fuel PSI Alarm

 

[Bob4x4]

I used a flashing red led for the same warning a while back. The reality is most people don't really look at gauges often enough.



Bob

 

[Crazy Horse]

Gary, I'm curious. Your sig shows a Walbro; is this a complete LP system upgrade from Glacier? Or just a pump scabbed in?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, I'm curious. Your sig shows a Walbro; is this a complete LP system upgrade from Glacier? Or just a pump scabbed in?

Just a pump I picked up and installed myself - the pumps alone run about $100 on Ebay - I have a new spare sitting at the local Post Office to be picked up tomorrow...



My install looks like this:



#ad

 

[Joe G.]

Gary,



That looks pretty good. FYI: you can get kits and parts for alarms for all sorts of conditions at a marine hardware store. That's what I use. You can even get a big red alarm bell that will make you mess up your seat if you want one.

 

[MCummings]

Gary,



I see two fuel pumps under your truck. I see the typical Carter pump (is that your warlboro?) and your other setup with the bypass setup. Or, what am I seeing there? How does that work?



I like it. More econimical and fail safe than my FASS, but not nearly as bling.



Merrick

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary,



I see two fuel pumps under your truck. I see the typical Carter pump (is that your warlboro?) and your other setup with the bypass setup. Or, what am I seeing there? How does that work?



I like it. More econimical and fail safe than my FASS, but not nearly as bling.



Merrick

The closest pump is the Walbro GSL-392, with it's automatic bypass setup - the one more to the front of the truck is the OEM LP that was relocated to the frame some time back, and also has it's own automatic bypass.



Prior to this setup, there WAS another Carter pusher pump where the Walbro now is, a 7 PSI version that ran full time along with that OEM LP. Now, only the Walbro is active, it pumps fuel both thru and around the idle OEM LP - and if the Walbro ever fails, all I need do is transfer the power lead from the Walbro to the Carter, and drive away...



At some point when I'm bored and have nothing else to do, I'll install a switch so I can switch pumps without leaving the cab...

 

[courierdog]

Gary:

I do not know where you find the time. Since I retired in 2001 I have found I have less time now for the things I want to do than when I was working.

Nice project, very neat install, great idea.

I notice even the underneath of your truck is clean.

I have not had time even to have mine washed in 2 months.

I guess I will stick to my standard excuse, "Have Truck, Will Travel" ha ha

I need to find a font with a black knight just to have fun with some people.

Keep up the great work on your ideas, it is always a pleasure to read them. I learn something every time, not bad for an old dog like me. ha ha

 

[JasonCzerak]

Now that I have the head/tail lights pretty well upgraded on my '02, I thought I'd attack the fuel system again - most specifically, the fuel pressure portion as to some sort of alarm to supplement the gauges I already have installed.



About 4 times since I've owned this truck, and have had gauges and other fuel flow enhancements installed, I've lost or nearly lost fuel flow - but didn't know it until the engine began running strangely.



The gauges are certainly a plus, but we can't be watching them at all times!



SO, as an aid, I've gathered components to install both a visual and audible alarm on my fuel system that will trigger if fuel PSI drops below about 5 PSI - here's the components:



#ad


The above fittings and Hobbs switch will install between my pressure line to my electric gauge sender right here:



#ad


The round device seen in the parts pic, is a chime similar to other alarms used in the truck - clearly audible, but not objectionable - it's a common Radio Shack item. The red LED seen, is a flashing LED that I plan to install in the window pillar mount used in my dual gauge setup - I'd like to mount the chime in there as well, but not sure if there's room for it.



Total cost for all parts so far has been slightly over $30.



ANYWAY, if I again lose fuel pressure, I'll have *3* warning indicators, instead of just one!

You MUST be retired.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary:

I do not know where you find the time. Since I retired in 2001 I have found I have less time now for the things I want to do than when I was working.

Nice project, very neat install, great idea.

I notice even the underneath of your truck is clean.

I have not had time even to have mine washed in 2 months.

I guess I will stick to my standard excuse, "Have Truck, Will Travel" ha ha

I need to find a font with a black knight just to have fun with some people.

Keep up the great work on your ideas, it is always a pleasure to read them. I learn something every time, not bad for an old dog like me. ha ha

Thanks for the kind words - but fact is, I never really took time this past summer to wipe down the accumulated winter crud from the splashed snow, rain and ice we get here in easter Oregon - it was LOTS easier to keep clean down in California! :-laf



I had hoped to buy a place up here that had a nice large shop area to install a lift to better work under the truck, but that wasn't included in what we DID end up with:



#ad




- at 71 years old and 2 lower back surgeries, crawling around under the truck just isn't as easy or enjoyable as it used to be, even as much as I enjoy tinkering around with new projects...

 

[MCummings]

At some point when I'm bored and have nothing else to do, I'll install a switch so I can switch pumps without leaving the cab...

Maybe you need a toggle switch from a '90's Ford for FRONT/REAR fuel pumps. heheh



Merrick





P. S. Nice House.

 

[courierdog]

Gary:

Your are still a spring chicken like me (66). Maybe some acupuncture would help, it sure has for me. However you do have to find one who really knows his craft not just a needle jockey. Yes your weather is much like ours, ha ha

Perhaps, I need to insulate the garage and dedicate some time to keep it clean like yours.

I really enjoy my 6. 7 and am still working toward the install of the Spinner II and perhaps a barrier type as well. designing the brackets and finding the space under the hood in the 6. 7 is a real challenge. Wally has been a huge assistance by supplying the Turbo Return Oil adaptor.

Dave VE6LX