308/328 Oil Pressure Conversion unit

I'm pleased to announce the completion of unit #00001. As you can see from the picture below, it's a complete setup: Includes the sensor, thread adaptor, wiring loom, gauge power regulator, and the conversion unit box.

Designed to be installed in the storage area at the back of the car with access to 12v and ground. Gauge power regulator requires installation behind the gauge cluster.

Completely solid state sensor is an industrial/scientific unit that is more robust and accurate than the NLA OEM unit, yet you retain the stock gauge. One-time calibration takes about 10 minutes, and is saved in non-volatile storage. Whole unit takes less than 1 amp of current, operates between 9.7v - 18v and is built with automotive power systems and temperatures in mind.

While we haven't decided on pricing yet, we welcome inquiries. I currently have 1 complete unit, and another board assembled (no wiring loom, box, or sensor yet). Both have been programmed and bench tested.
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Thanks for the level of interest (in less than a day). Looks like Art and I need to get cracking. There still a few things left for me to do. First and foremost is to install this on my car to build up an installation guide and discover any gotchas around the installation.

There's a question as to whether we need the thread adaptor or not, as it looks like the original OEM sending unit already has one. It would be really nice to use that. I won't know until I take my car apart -- unless one of you supremely experienced folks can answer that question.

Rifledriver: We considered this, but then we would have needed an extra box and small PCB for a 5V power regulator to energize the sensor. Plus, if you needed to twiddle with the calibration or get an update to the software, then you'd have to take the instrument cluster apart again. The design we have gets around all of that: Easy access to the brains and calibration, the brains board also powers the sensor, the original signal wire to the gauge is still used, and all you have to do is install a tiny and reliable voltage regulator behind the instrument cluster. Basically it was the best compromise between number of parts, ease of use, and troubleshooting/updating we could think of.

Still it bears thinking about and keeping in our back pocket.

 

Perhaps you can help us answer this question, though:

 

Rifledriver probably knows for sure, but if it's a choice between a working gauge and a non-working gauge (because of a bad OEM sensor) the answer seems pretty clear. Of course, this all become moot if the OEM senders magically start being produced again -- I just don't see that happening. As far as I've been able to determine (and I talked to a lot of people) these OEM senders were very specific to the 3x8 application. No other vehicle (Ferrari or otherwise) seems to have used the same range.

 

Mr. Crall (Rifledriver): Art and I have a proposal for you, but your private message box is full and I have no other means of contacting you. Would you send me a PM with your contact information/email. It will be kept confidential between Art and I.

 

Here's the results from the pressure bench test using my compressor (which only goes up to about 120psi).

The sensor outputs a linear voltage between .5v (0 psi) - 4.5v (200 psi). That means:

psi = (SensorVolts - 0.5) / 0.02

0.50v = 0.000 psi (first gauge line)
1.35v = 42.50 psi (second gauge line)
2.20v = 85.00 psi (third gauge line)
2.50v = 100.0 psi <---- This is midway through the sensor's range
3.05v = 127.5 psi (fourth gauge line)
3.90v = 170.0 psi (fifth gauge line)

Pictures and results:

1. Test bench
2. 0.904v = 20.2 psi
3. 1.401v = 45.1 psi
4. 1.854v = 67.7 psi
5. 2.323v = 91.2 psi
6. 2.837v = 116.9 psi
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I now have 8 of these units completely built and ready to ship to whomever wants one. This is not a money making business, but rather something we like to do to help keep these cars on the road. That said, the price is $275 to cover all the parts and time to assemble for such small batches. Shipping costs depend on where it's going. Like the 3x8's, these are mostly hand made and subject to both our time and parts availability. If there is enough demand, I'll order enough parts and boards to do things in batches. For now, consider this first batch an introductory offering. While I've tested each of these on the bench, I don't have broad real world use yet. Feedback from the first batch users will go a long way to improving the units, the documentation, etc.

 

Thanks Tommy. PM replied.

 

Package will be in this morning's mail.

 

For future ordering so we don't run amok with FChat's policies. Let's leave this thread for discussion and feedback.

You want one?
Email: [email protected]

I'll need:
Name, address, phone number.
Number of units

I'll respond with availability and shipping estimate and get you scheduled in the case of needing to order parts and/or build things. I do prefer to do things in batches of at least 10. Finally, just remember to be patient. I'm a normal person with a day job.