Oil Temp Gauges for both Engine and Hydraulics

Sedgewood · May 3, 2004

I don't think that is a valid URL 

Oops! So much for cutting and pasting with eyes closed. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thanx for bailing me out Charlie

Sedgewood

smartguyz · May 3, 2004

OK, I'm still thinking about adding gauges to the PT. Here's my short list:

* Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
* Hydraulic Oil Temp Gauge
* Cylinder Head Temp Gauge

I was thinking of using these mounts to put gauges on the ROPS and then putting in this gauge for the hydraulic tank , perhaps this gauge for cylinder head temp and getting the Kohler kit for oil pressure, which is seen on the PDF file found here.

For senders, I'd probably need one of these for cylinder head temp, and one of these for the oil temperature.

What do you guys think? Overkill?

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Rip · May 3, 2004

Rob,
Overkill perhaps, but I like gauges as well.

You might want to look at a lower range for the hydraulic oil temp since 180 should be as high as it should get. Something starting around 80 to 100 and going to 220 or 250 max might give you better resolution.

A sender and gauge designed for engine coolant temp should work fine and might be better suited.

Rip

RegL · May 3, 2004

sedgewood, mr and Charlie, you guys were right on as usual. I called Terry today and he gave me the location. Changed out the fuse, wired around the thermostat and the fan is now running full time until I get a new one. Terry is sending it out under warrentee. Toy, I checked that connection and it could be some kind of fusible link but it looked like just a connector to me. Luckily, I shorted the circuit in front of that so I didn't burn that one. Thanks to all for the response. Nice to know we are not out here on our lonesome.

SnowRidge · May 4, 2004

I'm not sure that cylinder head temperature gauge is the right one to use on an air cooled engine. You might want to check that.

However, I do think the cylinder head temperature is far more important than the oil temperature on these engines. If something goes wrong, the oil temperature will not rise nearly as fast as the head temperature.

SnowRidge

Rip · May 4, 2004

I understood him to be intending to monitor the Hydraulic Oil Temperature, plus engine oil pressure and engine cyl head temp.

Rip

SnowRidge · May 4, 2004

( I understood him to be intending to monitor the Hydraulic Oil Temperature, plus engine oil pressure and engine cyl head temp. )

Whoops, looks like I misread that. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I still wonder if cylinder head temperatures for air cooled engines are higher than for liquid cooled engines. That is why I was wondering about that specific head temperature gauge he mentioned.

SnowRidge

Charlie_Iliff · May 4, 2004

Rob:
As Snowridge has noted, air cooled and liquid cooled engines are likely to have different cylinder head temperatures. Back in the day, we routinely ran 350 degree head temperatures on 100cc 2-stroke kart engines. They were pretty highly tuned, so maybe the Kohlers and Robins only need the gauge up to 340, but CHT gauges are available that go higher for air-cooled applications.

smartguyz · May 10, 2004

OK, given all the discussions and news regarding smoking oil tanks, and overheating - what do you guys think is the minimum number and type of gauges or alarms needed to help prevent, or at least understand what is happening in our PTs?

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

blackwell · May 10, 2004

We run temps in the closed loop up to 220F and up to 200F in other parts of the circuit, but remember we use Mobil 1 which does not shear down as thin at high temps. If the oil film gets too thin it slips thru clearences in the pumps and motors and causes more heat, faster, as well as losing lubrication and causing excessive parts wear which creates greater clearences and greater slippage. use good oil and check it often.
The new carb laws causes all engine manufactures including Kohler and Robin to run much leaner, thus hotter. Head temps are now over 400F.
Deutz 1011F oil cooled engines have a max oil temp of 266F.
Omega makes therma-couples up to 2000F which can be located any place you want to check the temp and be connected to a digital readout or recorder, thus allowing you to collect all the data desired.
Use good oil, keep your oil cooler clean, and use a machine large enough to do your job instead of straining the guts out of a small one and your oil overheating is over.
EB