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Topic: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator (Read 574 times) previous topic - next topic

Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Thinking about installing a boost indicator and a EGT on a 3116 Cat.

Does anybody make one the is user friendly in that you do not need to run 40 feet of wire to get it up front.

Or is it a waste of time and money
1995 U-240, her name is Clarabell, "The Lady's Got Class"
Traveling with my lovely wife "Precious", two Australian Shepherds, Ko Ko and Molly momma's baby Scooter, a Sweet Yorkie and a 14 pound cat.
Full timing since November 1, 2019, seeing this great country of ours and visiting the people that have made it that way.

Facebook member of GRAN VILLA Motor Homes Showing These Great Ole Gals in All Their Splendor.

GOD BLESS and SAFE TRAVELS

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #1 –
Quote from: POPPASMURFF#1 –
Thinking about installing a boost indicator and a EGT on a 3116 Cat.

Does anybody make one the is user friendly in that you do not need to run 40 feet of wire to get it up front.

Or is it a waste of time and money
This is a good outfit. At least for EGT you can use Foretravel spare wire bundle. If a 3126 is electronic, you can VMSPEC for derived boost.
VEI Systems
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #2 –
Yes, a waste of time and money.

Stock, there is no way to get excessive EGT's with the 3116 mechanical injection system.

Boost-- only to verify that you don't have a bad turbo/wastegate or bad CAC.  Connect a mechanical gauge to the intake manifold and run the line into the bedroom.  Have someone verify proper boost.

BTW, Caterpillar Corp can verify proper boost for your engine and a lot of other things from your engine serial number.  Call them at 877 777-3126.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #3 –
Hopefully, your 3116 is NOT electronic.  The electronic version was their delve into the electronic controlled world.  And few find that variation a good choice.

The 3126 was their "OK the bugs are out" of the electronic control on their diesel engine.

Not aware of a single Foretravel U240 with 3126 engine.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #4 –
Saying extra gauges for monitoring engine is a waste of time and money, is kind of like saying idiot lights are better than actual gauges.
Many high end coaches, both with electronic and mechanical fuel injection, have both boost and EGT gauges.
Of course, when things get real bad, your ecm will derate or shut you down, Me, I Iike to read the gauges and get an indication before the "brain" saves me.
Of course, I am retired marine engineer [chief] and found you can never have too much information about your engine condition.
Some people do not want to know anything about their engine, some people want to know everything.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #5 –
In my opinion VEI is only pyrometer to install for easy installation and accurate consistent readings. 

VEI does not need special dis-similar millivolt steel wires run to dash, and does not need any (freeze/boil temp) calibration based on length of run.  It comes from the factory pre-calibrated and uses any type of cable from engine area to dash including Foretravel spares.  There may be other brands that are also factory calibrated, but I don't know about them.

Pyrometers generate very low (millivolt) current that is easily distorted over long wire runs.  VEI  has electronic circuits permanently attached on a short cable to the pyrometer, allowing them to pre-calibrate the fixed length.  The shorter length also must eliminate some external electrical influences.  Many others put the electronic circuits into the dash gauge, requiring special wires and calibration

VEI also makes a good matching boost, that uses any type of cable, but there are many other boost gauges out there that wire up the same way.  Boost gauges do not need calibration like pyrometers.

These are the VEI parts we installed 4 years ago:
Vacuum/Boost Gauge VEI V1-BHEP-MR/R 95.00
Pyrometer/ETG Gauge V1PYF-MR/B 65.00
Vacuum/boost Sender 1800-f 35.00
EGT Sender 1800-f SEN-TCI 95.00
Double Gauge Pod P0402 26.00 (not VEI)

There are also postings about VEI installation on the Forum and Beamalarm.com.

As for being important, we drive ALL up hills watching exhaust gas temp and tachometer, nothing else.  We keep engine temps in control with these two gauges to control our shift points.  For up hills, the speedometer is of little value for safe driving.

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #6 –
Unless modified, to my knowledge there has never been a Caterpillar 3116 with dangerously high EGT's.

In marine application, instead of 250 HP this same engine has an output of 350 HP or more. Yes, with that increase in HP, EGT is relevant. At 250 HP/650 lb-ft of torque, really a non-issue.

Alternatively, let me ask-- in the 25 years since the Caterpillar 3116 engine was introduced, has ANYONE run into an engine issue related to excessive EGT (unless modified)???
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #7 –
Couple years ago, took my 97 295 40 ft with 300 hp 3126, through the rockies several times. I did have a pyro.
Did a little test, ran several passes with foot to the floor with grade steep enough that allison shifted down to 3rd and stayed at about 1700 rpm with speed constant.  After about 5 minutes at 1425 f., backed off and manually shifted down.  While 1425 will probably not detonate an engine, I am thinking if the non informed driver did this on a regular basis, engine life would be seriously shortened.
Manufactures try to make their engines idiot proof. Personally would rather stay above the idiot level.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #8 –
High altitude with a mechanical diesel engine will run higher EGTs. Anytime at altitude you start to see black smoke with a mechanical engine, gear down to keep the RPM high and keep the EGT under 1250 degrees at the exhaust manifold, not after the turbo.

Lots of PU owners have this issue.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #9 –
P Y R O M E T E R S
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #10 –
Quote from: jcus –
P Y R O M E T E R S
Good pyro primer! So, you can see that at high altitude, high ambient temperature (equals high density altitude), restricted air cleaner, heavy foot with visible black smoke, headwinds, long grades and not gearing down can really cause very high EGTs. Damage is cumulative so while you may get away with it one day, it may bite down the road. An example would be cylinder number 6 Cummins exhaust valve.

And to the U300 owner with the modified air cleaner in the hot engine compartment, get rid of it!

Advantages here for a ECU running the show with sensors for everything.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Manifold Boost Pressure Indicator

Reply #11 –
I stand with the other Brett.  No reason to spend time and money on a non-issue unless the engine system has been modified-or, I might add you insist on operating your coach in an abusive manner.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R