spa rail pressure install need help

[RMalone]

Hey guys could someone give me some info on hooking the SPA to the rail?



As always your help is appreciated!!



Thanks, Rick

 

[kscheffler]

I am supprised that SPA pressure gauge is rated for the rail pressure. Did they make a specific gauge for the common rails?

 

[nickleinonen]

Did they make a specific gauge for the common rails?

they did for a while [maybe they still do?] it piggybacks the oem sensor iirc...



do a search on rail pressure gauge and you should find details

 

[BILLUA]

Or call ATS in Denver. They originally spec'd a gauge. I had played phone tag with them about getting one, but have not ordered it yet. . Rumor is that it cost 300 dollars...

 

[Matt400]

Rick, did you want to connect a particular SPA or the one specified for rail pressure?

I may be able to help if you just need to know what wire goes where and how to set up / program the gauge.

 

[RMalone]

It is the one they sell with the piggyback connector. Tough item to get!!!

 

[Matt400]

SPA is suppose to send this info with that gauge or you would be lost. I was going to PM you but instead will post it here so it can be found in future searches.



Special set up instructions

2003-2005 Dodge Cummins

SPA FUEL RAIL / OIL PRESSURE DUAL GAUGE

#DG217W/215L (white face) and #DG217B/217L (black face)



The below setting changes are easily made with the SPA users manual and will enable this gauge unit to read the high fuel rail pressures using the OEM transducer. Read and understand your gauge users manual first and then make the below changes using the menu access button in this order:



In the Special menu section under Eng

•FSC set to 267

•dEC set to 1

•SPn set to 4. 06v

•oFF set to . 5v



In the regular menu section

•Uni set to psi

•tb can now be increased to the high pressure you want to be warned. 26. 7 is the maximum setting.

Note: tb is the set point for the led alarm to warn you of high turbo boost but for this application it is used for high rail pressure warning and can only be set up to what the FSC is set to or 26. 7 for 26,700 psi. This has been determined to be the accuracy limit of the OEM transducer used on 2003-2005 Bosch CP3 HPCR equipped Diesels.



•At increase from 400ms to 2. 0 sec. to smooth out the CP3 pulses.

•hr 1 set to "on" (high resolution)



For connection to the fuel rail, use the supplied pig tail by connecting the black wire to the trucks transducer output circuit which is the center wire on the transducers connector. A simple “T” tap works well but solder & heat shrink is better.



The red wire on the pigtail is un used in this application however it will have voltage on it when ever the key is on. Its original purpose was to power a SPA transducer but the vehicles OEM transducer is powered by the ECM so its not needed. The red wire needs to be insulated and secured so it does not touch any grounds.



The bare wire in the pigtail can be attached to a good ground but again is not needed in this application because the OEM transducer has its own ground.



Connect the Oil pressure per standard procedures in your users manual. A good location for the SPA transducer is on top of the oil filter housing.

 

[RMalone]

Thanks Matt, SPA did send that info, I must plead ignorant and admit I don't know where the transducer connector is located.

 

[Matt400]

Its mounted on the fuel rail in a vertical position. About 2" back behind the intake manifold and below the dip stick tube.

 

[SRadke]

Unfortunately I wrecked my other truck about a week after I got the gauge installed I never did figure out how to access the "Special menu section under Eng". Is there a trick to it?



-Scott

 

[GWoody]

If you guys haven't bought a gauge yet, hold on for a few days. I've had the spa gauge in my truck for almost a year and it works great, but I'm about to install a pressure controler with built in gauge from SP diesel. Don't know the cost since I'm a tester but I would bet it could be had for a lot less than the cost of a gauge and pressure box combined, plus I'll be able to compare iit's accuracy to the SPA. I hope to get it put on this weekend. Oh yeah, it'll be stacked with a TST so we'll know about any compatibility issues.

 

[Matt400]

I never did figure out how to access the "Special menu section under Eng". Is there a trick to it?



-Scott

Not really, its in the back of your manual, do you have a manual? If not I think I have a link somewhere that you can download one. If you cant find the manual I will look for it.



GWoody- thats cool! keep us posted.

 

[SRadke]

I've got a manual yes. Most of the other features I'm in good shape on but that one had me baffled for some reason. Oh well, I'll worry about it later when I get the gauge in the new truck.



-Scott

 

[Matt400]

Scott, check page 19.



What its not clear about is that you first have to go into standard programming where you bump the button through the various settings.

Page 12 shows Eng as the 2nd to last function. You have to select that first and then follow the instructions on page 19.

 

[SRadke]

Thanks Matt, I'll try that when I get it installed again.

 

[Matt400]

New ride: '06 SLT 4x4 quadcab. Big plans... .

Sorry about your 03, sounds like it did not dampen you mod mode.

 

[SRadke]

Sorry about your 03, sounds like it did not dampen you mod mode.

I hate driving a stock truck :-laf

 

[RMalone]

I hate driving a stock truck :-laf

You and me both!!! Matt I really do appreciate your very informative posts, you too SRadke. SPA sent me the pig-tail and when I get the greenhouse under control I will do the install, with a little help from Greg Long. I'm switching my gauges to a cirkit boss (sp) fuse box from Genos. Does anyone have any ideas for a under dash mounting location?? Thanks Gents.

 

[Matt400]

Does anyone have any ideas for a under dash mounting location??

Behind the knee bolster under the steering wheel I think is a good spot. A neat idea would be to replace the 2 lower screws in the bolster with 2 small hinges, the top just snaps in and then the knee bolster would just pivot down for easy access and no screws to remove.



Might not work well though depending on what kind of brake controller you have.

 

[SRadke]

I read at one point there was a hole on the end of the dash on the passenger side where it could be mounted and a nice channel running over top of the jockey box to route wires back to the driver side. I never looked for it but they made it sound good.