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Subject:Re: fuel pressure gauge
From:Darrell Boehler
Date:Sun, 21 Jan 2001 07:08:37 -0600

Hi Bill,
    There are at least 2 types of gauges that will work for you, the  mechanical gauge which use a capillary tube from the source of
pressure to the gauge and then there are electrical type that have a sender on the engine or in the engine compartment and have a
wire going to the gauge,  many vdo gauge are electrical.
    My favorite setup is use an electrical jcwhitney gauge with 2 senders. One attached where the 0.3 bar oil sender normally lives
and one with a T  into the  fuel rail.  The senders attach to the gauge through a switch. With the one gauge and 2 senders it can
display either oil or fuel pressure with the flip of a switch.
    I use an boating outboard or i/o engine water pressure gauge to monitor wasserboxer coolant pressure connected into the radiator
bleed hole .   It is  from overtons even labeled engine water and use a capillary tube.  This may seem a bit anal retentive but
coolant pressure is an excellent indication of the whole cooling system. The gauge will show proper operation of the pump (the pump
adds 1-5 psi depending on rpm), the best part it indicates leaks instantly, indicate when the thermostat opens / closes,   pressure
raises and lowers with opening and closing of the thermostat. It even shows a slight vacuum after cool down.  I once had an 86 westy
that was well on the way to blowing every hose it had until I rehosed it. Many years ago listee Uncle Joel told me about overtons
and their water gauge.
    The gauges are shown mounted in a Steve Lashley console / cup holder at web site loam.org/vw.  The site is down at the present
time,  owner is on vacation.  Should be up again in a week or 2.
    Several manuals are at  loam.org/vw including the protraining manual. Should be back up soon.

Darrell

      ---- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Davidson" <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2001 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: fuel pressure gauge

> > Has anybody done this using a sending unit and electrical gage.  I found a
> > VDO gage that goes to 11 Bar and thought about putting it in the dash for
> > fuel or water pressure.  Any suggestions for which sending unit might
> work?
> > Would an oil pressure sender work?  Pressure is pressure, right?
>
> Pressure is pressure... right.... BUT the innards of one gauge may be built
> for one fluid and yet seals may dissolve with a fluid they are not designed
> for.... dunno but something to think about.... especially when you're
> talking fuel.... personally, for a permanent installation I'd want some kind
> of assurance that it was designed to take gasoline... imagine fuel spraying
> all over the engine compartment :(   very bad...
>
> Bill
>