Low Oil Pressure Alarm - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tomm9298 · #1 12-15-2004, 03:44 PM

Found a nice low oil pressure alarm, price is not too bad. You can pre set at what pressure the alarm will sound.

http://www.measureanything.com/products/NZ1008/datasheet_NZ1008-OP30_oil_pressure_gauge.asp

braverichard · #2 12-15-2004, 03:54 PM

Sounds and looks good. How do you install it though? Don't know if I have the time to dive into it right now (probably not until early next year) but this is something I am seriously interested in. The reason? Well, I've read many posts here of people whose engines were killed by some oil leak that occurred while the car was being driven. I fear I may be a victim of the same thing someday as I rarely keep my eyes on the oil pressure gauge as I drive.

d.delano · #3 12-15-2004, 04:21 PM

same here- I periodically look at the guage but a catastrophic failure in some line somewhere could concievably get me. This would be a great upgrade in my opinion. Oil press drops, alarm sounds, you pull off the road. Instead of oil pressure drops, you keep driving cuz you don't hear nuthin' and are watching the road instead of the guages, engine siezes, you walk home in the cold night and get abducted by space aliens. I prefer the former over the latter. Anyone want to do this and edumacate the rest of us?

tomm9298 · #4 12-15-2004, 04:32 PM

I have contacted their customer service concerning the sending unit. The schematic looks as though it is ALL electrical, not governed by the actual oil line going to your gauge. Will keep you posted. I too have a terrible fear of running with a huge oil spill!!!!!

Eskimo · #5 12-15-2004, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.delano

Anyone want to do this and edumacate the rest of us?

(If this looks familiar to anyone, I cut and paste this response from another thread)

Take a look at jbaj007's post in this thread.

I've been thinking about doing something like this, and just buying a pressure switch new from FastLane instead of scrounging one. I was thinking maybe p/n P4030-28194 (0.75 - 1.05 bar). It wouldn't be ideal for catching a problem immediately at highway speed, but better than nothing. I don't think I'd bother with a warning LED, but just rely on a little piezo siren. Some of those are pretty tough to ignore!

FWIW, I think some of the VW's used two pressure switches, and ignored the higher pressure one (1.8 bar or so?) below a certain rotational speed for the engine.

jbaj007 · #6 12-15-2004, 05:09 PM

A little update since I've been running it awhile.

There is a very slight seepage from the sensor/switch (1 or two drops/mo.)
I would machine the threads better than I did or get a true metric "T" (haven't found one yet).

The buzzer is annoying when glowing (obviously oil pressure is zero) and I'm getting tired of it.

Eskimo, the 0.75-1.05 sensor seems like a wider range than what would be used for an idiot light, but maybe not. Be sure it's a normally closed switch. The 0.3 bar switch on the same page is for sure.

pberku · #7 12-15-2004, 05:53 PM

The only concern I would have would be for people living in Northern climates (i.e.: me). This unit's operating range is specified at 0C to 50C or 32F to 122F.

In below freezing weather it may be fine once the interior of the car heats-up, but if you have a low oil pressure condition while the interior of the car is still below freezing, this unit may fail to indicate it.

Phil

Eskimo · #8 12-15-2004, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pberku

The only concern I would have would be for people living in Northern climates (i.e.: me). This unit's operating range is specified at 0C to 50C or 32F to 122F.

In below freezing weather it may be fine once the interior of the car heats-up, but if you have a low oil pressure condition while the interior of the car is still below freezing, this unit may fail to indicate it.

Phil

If you really like this product, with the exception of the temperature range cited, then it might be worth checking with the manufacturer about this. Perhaps it's the case that the alarm would still function, but that the LCD display will not work properly at the lower temperatures. For applications where this really matters, some products use LCD displays with heaters.

Personally, I'd just as soon go with the simple pressure switch and alarm setup, but that's just me. Different people like different things.

Angel · #9 12-15-2004, 07:54 PM

I was wondering about this...

So if you install a low oil pressure beeper, it will beep every time you turn the key (beeping through the glow plugs...) but not have the engine running.

Is there a wire (tap off the inst cluster ?) or an easy relay setup that would prevent the low oil beeper from beeping constantly during those long winter glow cycles ?

This would make me prefer a big bright red LED or light (maybe use all the spare dash spaces =) instead of an audible beeper.

However, an audible beeper is a LOT tougher to miss. To each his own.

-John

whunter · #10 12-20-2004, 01:38 AM

I may install one on my car.

tomm9298 · #11 12-20-2004, 06:57 AM

I spoke with customer support and found out the following:

1.) You will need one of their sending units.

2.) You will need a T fitting, if you plan on still using the OEM gauge.

3.) You will need an adapter, comes in SAE threads only.

Other than the afore mentioned issues, they assure me it will work. They said I am not the only one contacting them about this. Many other MB owners have done the same over the years.