VP 44 Gauge Port?

[glmoore001]

I bought a fuel gauge and a LED low pressure indicator kit as a visual aid in case I drop below 5 psi on my lift pump pressure.

The problem is finding a place to install the 5 psi fuel pressure sensor that will ground the body of the sensor.

Fuel is coming from a Fass Pump which is plumbed into the inlet port with a threaded elbow at the VP44.

The 5 psi sensor has 2 wires, one for power and one for signal out. No ground wire. It must use the threaded connection to make a body ground at the pump. There is no ground connection on this sensor other than the threads.

My gauge setup is T'eed into the rubber fuel line from the Fass, so those fittings are not grounded, the
sensor cannot be installed there.

My original filter assembly is no longer used, so I cannot install the sensor there.

Is there any other threaded connection on the VP44 where I can access the lift pump pressure?
Thanks... Gary

 

[DavidC]

I think I would use the T (sensor life would be greatly extended without all the vibration). Then find a way to attach a seperate ground, band clamp,spring clamp etc.

Dave

 

[BarryG]

As David said how about using an electrical ring connector that fits around the base of the sensor and would be held tight against the "T" when the sensor is tightened down then run the wire to a close by body bolt with another electrical ring connector on that end just undo the bolt, slip in the connector tighten the bolt back down.

 

[glmoore001]

So you are talking about running a ground wire to the body of the sensor and sticking the bare wire under a band clamp and tighten?

 

[DavidC]

Yes, or something similar to ground the sensor base

Dave

 

[KATOOM]

Dont use a low pressure warning light. By the time your pressure gets consistently low enough to trigger the light damage may have already taken place. If they sold 10 psi warning lights I may have a different opinion.

Instead get yourself some gauges. Fuel pressure, boost, pyrometer, and trans temp (if auto), all play very important diagnostic tools which can be used as reference and establishing "normal". Warning lights dont...

 

[DavidC]

I think he stated he has a gauge in the original post.

Dave

 

[KATOOM]

I misunderstood then. Sorry...

 

[glmoore001]

I was hoping there was another place to pull that lift pump pressure from the IP. I could do the band clamp thing, but it will have to go around the largest diameter, everything else on the body of the sensor is tapered pretty heavily.
Yes, I also installed a fp gauge. I am running a constant 14-15 psi. The gauge light works and dims. The 5 psi light is just something to grab my attention should I lose lp pressure.
Thank you for the responses.
Gary

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Gary, where are you going to (or have installed) install your fuel pressure gauge? If it's in plain sight eg; "A" pillar I think that maybe using a low pressure sensor is a bit redundant. Not sure what diameter your LP sensor is but you could use a brass ground clamp that is used on ground rods.

 

[glmoore001]

I like the idea of the ground rod clamp, but again, the taper on the body might prevent its use.
The pressure gauge is mounted on the steering column in a plastic pod and the gauge rides a bit to the right. Yes, it may be redundant, but the light is there only as a attention getter and nothing more.

 

[DavidC]

Picture of the sensor and the T would help. If the T is brass,stainless or any metal the ground wire could be attached anywhere on that.

Dave

 

[BoeingDiesel]

After thinking about the warning light I have to agree.
True story; Several months back I was stuck in a massive grid lock in central L.A. and just happened to glance at my fuel gauge...Holy ****, it's fluctuating 3-5 PSI at idle. I limped the truck home and posted what had happened asking for opinions if I had damaged the IP. As it turned out everything was okay and only had to replace the LP. So, a blinking warning light may have saved a very stressful drive back to the barn. Something to consider...does the sensor need a snubber to protect it against the VP pulsing?
David has a good point in using a metallic tee and grounding from there.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Gary, this might work for you
https://www.summitracing.com/search...SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=RUSSELL RUS670340

 

[BarryG]

Place something like this of the appropriate size between the sensor and the threaded fitting. You will find them with holes of varying size and ring thickness at local auto parts or hardware stores, get the thinnest you can find and as you tighten the sensor down it will be sandwiched between the fitting and the sensor body use the same thing on the other end and just pull out a body bolt slide it in and bolt back down. This has worked for me in similar situations in the past. ( https://www.alliedelec.com/thomas-b...MI65vmgdW13QIVg7fACh0Peg3OEAQYBCABEgLGW_D_BwE

 

[glmoore001]

Place something like this of the appropriate size between the sensor and the threaded fitting. You will find them with holes of varying size and ring thickness at local auto parts or hardware stores, get the thinnest you can find and as you tighten the sensor down it will be sandwiched between the fitting and the sensor body use the same thing on the other end and just pull out a body bolt slide it in and bolt back down. This has worked for me in similar situations in the past. ( https://www.alliedelec.com/thomas-b...MI65vmgdW13QIVg7fACh0Peg3OEAQYBCABEgLGW_D_BwE

Barry, I have a box of ring connectors, but the sensor does not go all the way in on the tapered thread and there is no shoulder to tighten against.

 

[glmoore001]

Gary, this might work for you
https://www.summitracing.com/search?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=RUSSELL RUS670340

That would work perfect if it had another 1\8" fitting in place of that male -6an.
You cannot put anything in front of the elbow at the IP either. If you do, it moves the elbow out so far it blocks the fluid level dipstick in the power steering pump.

 

[glmoore001]

After thinking about the warning light I have to agree.
True story; Several months back I was stuck in a massive grid lock in central L.A. and just happened to glance at my fuel gauge...Holy ****, it's fluctuating 3-5 PSI at idle. I limped the truck home and posted what had happened asking for opinions if I had damaged the IP. As it turned out everything was okay and only had to replace the LP. So, a blinking warning light may have saved a very stressful drive back to the barn. Something to consider...does the sensor need a snubber to protect it against the VP pulsing?
David has a good point in using a metallic tee and grounding from there.

Yes, the snubber was recommended for use with the sensor.
Here is the way I have it setup from the fuel line. I will take a pic this evening if I think of it.
I have the Large Tee in the Fass fuel line to the IP, Then a stainless needle valve coming out of the tee. then the snubber, then a 10,000 psi flexible grease gun hose, then a stainless 1\8" tee that has both of my FP sensors threaded into it. This was the recommended setup in the gauge instructions from Genos'.

 

[glmoore001]

Picture of the sensor and the T would help. If the T is brass,stainless or any metal the ground wire could be attached anywhere on that.

Dave

Dave, I was thinking of that, but all the stuff is stainless and I did not think I could get any of those fittings hot enough to solder or braze to. I may be able to drill and tap one of them I suppose. That may be the solution right there.

 

[DavidC]

Yeah, soldering, brazing a copper wire to stainless I do not think would happen. Drilling and tapping might be a feat,any time I dealt with stainless all it did was to burn up drill bits which then goes back to clamping of some sort.