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Topic: Installing a turbo boost gauge (Read 1195 times) previous topic - next topic

Installing a turbo boost gauge

Don Hay says his turbo boost gauge was a PITA for his diesel mechanic to install on his mechanical 8.3 liter Cummins. Would be easier to install one on our 2000 8.3 liter electronic engine?  Is turbo boost a function that can be found in the ECM connection located under the dash?  Would it be something that Silverleaf's  VMSpc  can display?  (It is available on a Glass Dash).
Bob
2000 U270
Winter: Texas Rio Grande Valley or Foley, AL
Summer: The Gardens RV Community of Crossville, TN
2000 40 FT U270, Xtreme FBP
2017 C-Max Towed

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #1 –
My belief is that there are a few display readings that are calculated, not actual measurements on my VMSpc, like fuel burn, boost, torque and horsepower are just calculations.  I am sure there are many others but I do not know the exact info.
I do like and enjoy the VMSpc as it does a great job on guessing the actual fuel burnt and fuel remaining plus lots of other data I enjoy.
Enjoy

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #2 –

I ran the rigid tubing myself for mine, then let the mechanic decide where on the engine he wanted to tap off. It's not that hard to push tubing or cabling though the cable run. You can readily drop the covers in each bay.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #3 –
I installed a boost gauge, but also have the VMSpc which displays boost pressure.  The ECU on our rig (99 ISC) does send a boost pressure PID which does not show up as "derived" in the PID list in VMSpc, so I assume that means it's right from the horse's mouth :)).

When I put in the separate boost gauge, I ran 1/4" nylon hose (fairly rigid) from the front to the back through the living quarters rather than through the cable trough, since that looked like lots more work.  The hose goes back on the left side of the coach, through the left hand box that has switches and transmission control, etc., then behind  the couch) (we have no slides), under the kitchen sink, through the bath, and then under the carpet in the bedroom to get to the engine.  I pulled several other wires at the same time (thermocouple wire for the EGT, twisted pair for the ammeter that reads alternator charge current, etc.), and getting the bundle back through the coach was not very difficult.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #4 –
Dave, I am wondering the gauge wire you ran for the ammeter reading. ?

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Dave M –
I am wondering the gauge wire you ran for the ammeter reading. ?

We ran 3 cables to read amps (Engine, Chassis & Alternator output)
Because I am reading very small amounts (milliamps)
(edited) thru a 500/50 shunt
I only ran 16 gauge twisted cable.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #6 –
For sure Barry, From the reading, I ASSUME he is using a shunt block, but I was wondering.
By the way what device are you using to read in ma?  Meaning 100+ amp from engine driven alternator ?

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Dave M –
For sure Barry, From the reading, I ASSUME he is using a shunt block, but I was wondering.
By the way what device are you using to read in ma?  Meaning 100+ amp from engine driven alternator ?
Yes, It is going thru a 500/50 shunt
500A, 50Mv Shunt - Shunts @ AltE

Red Lion MODEL DP5 – 1/8 DIN ANALOG INPUT PANEL METERS
The selected media item is not currently available.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #8 –
Barry, I see we have very similar interests and I do understand and like your setup, congrats indeed.
Did a dash for an Eagle once, found we could mass produce it on computer mill, add all the metering, sell for $14,500.00 and loose money on every one of them.

Re: Installing a turbo boost gauge

Reply #9 –
The wire to the shunt is 22 gauge twisted pair, which I happened to have on hand.  Currents for this kind of remote are very low, so only thin wire is required.  If I were to run the cables again, I would probably use CAT-5 flexible cable since it has a tighter twist (didn't have any at the time).  The gauge I got is a Cruz Pro A-60 digital, which I found on eBay with the 500 amp shunt for $50.  I mounted the shunt in an outside junction box on the frame next to the alternator per suggestion from Barry Beam.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM