help in installing an oil pressure warning light....

[gordont]

I planned on installing an oil pressure warning light as I seem to get a fair fluctuation in pressure according to the gauge.
Question is what do I connect it to? the oil gauge has a small tube to the block but guessing I need a sensor somewhere?
Any tips greatefully received.

[types26/36]

Gordon, you need a fitting that screws into the block with two take off points, one for the gauge and one for the light sender.
To wire it up you mount the light with power to the bulb (from ign. live) and it is earthed through the oil sender switch, when the engine starts and gets oil pressure the earth is taken away and the light goes off.

[Shiny_kit]

Something like this :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CLASSIC-MINI-SHOR ... 518de983fc

The switch is here :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OIL-PRESSURE-SWIT ... 5882ea5c6c

May not fit the same threads, but this is what I bought to fit my mini (which is the other way around - comes with the switch for a light, but wanted to add a gauge.

[john.p.clegg]

Gordon

Good idea,but it will only slow you down on the bends (unless you have oil pickup mod)

John

[neilsjuke]

Have a look
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16638375@N ... 202952079/
for more

I fitted the w/light in the interior light along with a alarm led
note the oil outlet threads on the Lotus blocks are not all the same
Neil

[rgh0]

If the engine is a high reving competition unit be careful adding any sensor or tee fitting onto the block which has any weight or significant overhang. The vibrations in this area of the nose of the block are severe and I have seen these fittings break off on race motors.

Best to run a flexible tube to a remote mounted tee on the inner wall of the engine bay where you can mount a swtich and also continue the flex line to the guage.

regards
Rohan

[bcmc33]

Gordon,

All you need to fit an oil pressure sensor is a suitable 1/8? BSP tee piece and a sensor just like Shiny_kit and Brian says, plus a matching light on the dash. http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/oil-warning- ... 1241-p.asp

However, what real use will a warning light have over the pressure gauge? I?ve searched and found that the pressure switches seem to set at 5 psi. http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/oil-light-sw ... 3588-p.asp

It begs the question as to what is the minimum oil pressure the Twink can stand before any serious damage is done?

As John suggests, you may cause yourself some concerns when the light comes on when going fast around long right hand bends.

[neilsjuke]

I use a 18 psi switch
Neil

[types26/36]

I use a 18 psi switchl

Most oil light switches I have seen operate between 3 and 8psi and using one at 18psi would worry me as it would come on when idling with a hot engine and even knowing it was 18 psi I wouldn't like to see that glowing every time I came to a stop.
As for the light you could always use one of these ...................at a price!

[john.p.clegg]

Brian (et al)

"However, what real use will a warning light have over the pressure gauge?"....with the oil gauge dampened, on long fast bends the pressure can fall to 0 but the gauge takes time to register this...by then

John

[bcmc33]

Well John, I hope I'm watching the road and not the dash lights when I'm going fast enough to swish the oil away from the pick-up long enough to make me

However, thank's for the e-mail pictures -- Heath-Robinson at his very best, I think.

[john.p.clegg]

Heath-Robinson maybe but it does work and is hand made in brass/copper sheet and has stopped the oil pressure light from coming on

John

[Foxie]

Gordon,

However, what real use will a warning light have over the pressure gauge?

Many years ago my sump bung fell out ( It was an MGB engine) The engine was wrecked before I noticed the reading on the OP gauge.

Another time the oil pump pick up broke off when the sump contacted a ramp. Same story.

When I cracked the ally sump on a gate stop on my BMW, the oil light saved the engine.

So I wouldn't be without a low OP warning lamp. I also changed the electric gauge to a mechanical one, it reacts almost instantaneously.

[Galwaylotus]

So I wouldn't be without a low OP warning lamp. I also changed the electric gauge to a mechanical one, it reacts almost instantaneously.

I installed a mechanical gauge on my Mini and at first used the small bore nylon tube supplied with the gauge. The response was so slow I felt it was almost worthless. Bought a steel-braided Aeroquip/Goodridge hose with a larger bore and now the response is instantaneous.

[bcmc33]

Heath-Robinson maybe

John, Self praise is no recommendation

When I cracked the ally sump on a gate stop on my BMW, the oil light saved the engine.

OK Sean, I'm convinced - another little job for the winter