SPA used as a turbo timer

[CaseySmith]

I remember reading a few months ago about being able to use a SPA pyro as a turbotimer using one of the alarm settings of the gauge. Does anyone have details on how to do this. Does the alarm wire ground or energize when the alarm goes off? I assume you would just wire up a relay, with power, switch on/off, gauge wire, and key on/off. Any ideas? Thanks in advance,Casey

 

[Matt400]

Hey Casey,

I been working on this also. Brandon was kind enough to provide me with a circuit a fella built some time ago that was for this purpose. I will be experimenting with this probably this weekend and will know more.



What you do is set the SPA external alarm to go off at what ever temp you want shut down eg. 300 deg.

It works backwards in that the alarm goes off and is on all the time the truck is running.

The SPA needs to be wired in with a continuous duty relay so the gauge shuts off also, as it needs to stay powered up when the key is turned off.



At 300 deg the alarm shuts down (circuit opens), the relay and gauge loose power and the engine shuts down.

The mock up I have is for an older Dodge so i have to make sure no codes will set from having just one particular circuit active while others are turned off with the key.

 

[TJSHOTROD]

Please keep us posted.

I tried to find out how to do it a while back with no luck. Please post it if you figure it out. Thanks

T. J.

 

[Matt400]

Ok... tested it today and it works. So yes it is possible to use your SPA EGT gauge as a turbo cool down devise. Not a timer because it shuts the truck off at what ever temp you set the SPA's external alarm at.



You can pull out the key and lock the doors with the fob just fine. This is on the 03 anyway.



Now I just need help from someone that can teach me how to draw up a wire diagram.

I can do it with a pen but don't know how on the PC. If its a big deal to learn maybe someone will let me fax them a pen drawing and they can do on a PC and post it here.

I am willing to learn... anyone??



The only parts needed is this relay:

http://relays.tycoelectronics.com/datasheets/OUDH.pdf

A diode, some wire and a 10A fuse.



On my final install I will splice in a toggle so I can shut the truck off right away if needed or flip it off to disable the system for the wife that may wig out while shopping.

I have given her a heads up though and she just rolls her eyes

 

[Matt400]

SPA Cool Down Circuit

Whew! took a while to figure the diagram software...

click here for the diagram.



This is on my 2003 so wire colors will most likely be different for other years.

The toggle from battery power is so you can arm/disarm the cool down circuit.

The Dark Blue wire is ignition "run/start" in the #3 location of the 14 way ignition switch connector located just under the turn signal lever.

The Orange wire is "run" in the #14 location.



Those 2 wires along with the No pin on the relay all tie together and need to be the supply source to your SPA gauge.

If you use a different relay- remember the SPA gauge can only handle 100mA max load. The relay I posted above is only 37. 5mA



A diode needs to be used between the 2 Coil terminals on the relay so no pos current will flow to the gauge.



Set your external alarm to what ever temp you want shut down and your good to go

 

[Matt400]

To clarify on the above diagram I wanted to add that the orange wire was included to keep power supplied to the IPM so you dont get any dash warning lamps and codes set.



If anyone else is interested in doing this on an older model year I may be able to point you to which wires to use on your model, not too sure on newer models unless I can source a diagram.

Just for fun I am still researching different relays that will work with the SPA to simplify install and am looking for one with a "built-in" diode along with standard spade terminals.

The relays coil has to have more than 120 ohms resistance so it will draw less than 100mA to protect the gauge.



With all the SPA owners out there I thought this post would have more interest since its almost a free cool down device. Oh well. .

 

[BrandonF]

wow thats good instructions. I don't know about the Turlock guy wanting this. Must be a California thing????????lol California fuel or something makes us want more and more info... ... ...



Matt that is neat...

 

[CaseySmith]

I'll have to try and get it working in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the detailed instructions, where did you buy your relay? Thanks again, Casey

 

[Matt400]

Hey Casey,

Looks like your 97 would also be the blue wire but. . the orange in the above diagram is black with an orange stripe on your truck. That info came from an aftermarket wire diagram so I cant tell you what the pin # or position # it is in the ignition switch connector.

I do know the blue is for the ignition where the black/orange will keep your ABS/Brake/Airbag lamps off when you turn the key off.

 

[Matt400]

Just wanted to post back with some background info about this circuit because I have tracked down where it originated from.

Brandon who supplied the devise told me the other day that he got it from MCrossley. I contacted him and this is what he had to say:

Yes you have the right guy however I want to add that there were some other guys involved like DavidVT who originally worked with me on it; then another guy here locally finally took the plans and did it. So I appreciate placing credit where due and want to add that I did not do it alone

So a special thanks to MCrossley, David_VT and anyone else who worked on this. I was lucky enough Brandon had it so I could apply it to a 3rd Gen. Oo.

 

[Matt400]

where did you buy your relay?

The relay Brandon supplied me with can be found at your local Radio Shack store under the part number 275-248. The package it comes in has a diagram on the back with these markings:

• NC
  
• Com
  
• Coil
  
• NO
  

• NC- is unused
  
• Com- gets 12v unswitched from the truck and is also connected to the closest "Coil" post
  
• Coil- has a diode soldered across it's 2 posts and the coils corner post goes to the SPA alarm ckt (make sure the diodes stripe is on the inboard post.
  
• NO- connects to the Blue & Orange wires and also is the SPA's power supply.
  

The diode is a 1N4001 type and can also be obtained from Radio Shack under the part number 276-1131



I have been searching for an alternative relay but keep coming back to this configuration as the best to get the job done while providing good protection for the SPA. I need to build one up so I can return the one Brandon loaned me, when I do I will see if I can take a pic of it with the wires attached which will make it more clear.

 

[MCrossley]

Thank you for the recognition and I am glad that this has propagated. I and a few people have done several little odd ball stuff in the past; as I used to be very heavily involved with things on the TDR back when BPine, myself and our memorable HVAC (Sure miss that goofy guy) used to be doing things on a weekly basis. I unfortunately hit hard financial times during the technology crunch which I have recovered from but not at the sacrifice of working my behind off double time lol. My latest project has been my LED tailgate light which I hope to introduce on here very soon (for all those light loving guys) But again wanted to say thanks for bringing some of us old TDR timers back into light.

 

[Matt400]

My latest project has been my LED tailgate light which I hope to introduce on here very soon (for all those light loving guys)

Cool! Using a SPA gauge as a Rail Pressure gauge is my latest project. I just had to share here

 

[David_VT]

Hey, thanks for mentioning us. MCrossley and I made a prototype circuit work but the project crashed when we could not find plug in connectors for the steering column harness. I too found myself in the cold when the tech crunch hit and found myself out of the tech industry just after 9/11. Things are finally better for my wife and I now and I am getting the itch to replace the green monster (99QC w 120K) with a new Cummins rig..... MCrossley, we are still connected on some weird plain... I am modifing an off the shelf LED tailgate light bar to fit like the 3500 lightbar on GENIIs. . too weird...



As to HVAC, without whom I'd have never enjoyed the pleasure of the added horse power addiction ... .



HVAC sought me out when I was working from a hotel in santa clara. we traded instant messages and he invited me to a diesel thing... Me from Vermont and HVAC a total stranger from the tdr forums... Countless trips to california which I looked forward to only because the weekends would be spent seeking diesel trucks around Santa Clara. He had a magnetic personality that drew us all to the hot rod thing. . geez I spent a fortune on stuff after a few rides in his red hot rod ram... yep, he is missed indeed.

 

[Matt400]

Hey, thanks for mentioning us. MCrossley and I made a prototype circuit work but the project crashed when we could not find plug in connectors for the steering column harness.

Hey David,

I had posted a "how to" question

here back in Oct of 04 but no takers. . yet further research on TDR I couldn't find anything. Luck would have it Brandon had one of your prototypes. He handed it to me and I said- What wires do what? He shrugged his shoulders and said I would figure it out. Later when I got it figured out he remembered MCrossley who remembered you. I just used "T" taps to connect to the truck but the pin in the SPA socket I couldn't find locally. I have asked for spare pins from SPA in my last order so hope to get some cuz I need to give Brandons back. - Thanks again! Oo.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Updated Info---Pics?

Matt,



Been wanting to do the SPA shutdown thing for years, BUT didn't know how. A thread on www.nwbombers.com site and some input by willyslover prompted me to do a new search here on TDR.



Not being real electrical minded, do you have any photos and or updates on this? What is the "Junction Block" in your schematic? Are you just using wire taps to hook to the wires at the ignition switch?



This probably all elementary, but I don't want to screw something up experimenting either.



BTW, Brandon is a great guy, he installed my SPA originally in 2001.



SHG

 

[Matt400]

do you have any photos and or updates on this? What is the "Junction Block" in your schematic? Are you just using wire taps to hook to the wires at the ignition switch?

Sorry, I didn't get any photo's. Junction block was simply a term I used where all those wires are connected together and yes I used an ordinary wire tap at the ignition switch wire.

 

[David_VT]

wow, another blast from the past

The turbo saver vs SPA gauge ..... hmmmm



Great idea, wonderful that some are still using that SPA alarm circuit for the newer trucks too!



I am back in Field Service and have customers in California. I hope to catch up with the San Jose area folks before the end of '07!



David in Vermont

 

[Matt400]

wonderful that some are still using that SPA alarm circuit for the newer trucks too!

Only with your work on coming up with the idea they are, thanks!

 

[TurnerN]

has spa built the custom gauge yet matt