Oil Thingy

11-12-2008, 05:59 PM

Mike | OIl Thingy

Hey whats this thingy. Well here it is the latest in "checking your oil level"

I am tired of removing the cowling and or climbing on the wing to check the level so I made up a new dip stick cap, added a level sensor and "wulaaaa" no mess, no fuss. I send this info to my MVP-50 engine monitor. HEY click once on the picture

11-12-2008, 06:18 PM

jar59nh | nice machining work!

Nice work Mike! Just like the jets. But we still manually check the oil when we fly over the big oceans.

Thx,

John

06-01-2016, 04:20 PM

Rusty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike View Post

Hey whats this thingy. Well here it is the latest in "checking your oil level"

I am tired of removing the cowling and or climbing on the wing to check the level so I made up a new dip stick cap, added a level sensor and "wulaaaa" no mess, no fuss. I send this info to my MVP-50 engine monitor. HEY click once on the picture

Great idea! How do you get hold of that thing to pull out and add oil?

My wierd engine has the top dipstick like that and a side dipper too. If that is a capacitive sensor like fuel pickups, how do you get signal to something like a G.R.T. E.I.S?

If a lawnmower can have a low oil level alarm, why not something important like an airplane?

06-03-2016, 07:27 AM

Rusty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike View Post

Hey whats this thingy. Well here it is the latest in "checking your oil level"

I am tired of removing the cowling and or climbing on the wing to check the level so I made up a new dip stick cap, added a level sensor and "wulaaaa" no mess, no fuss. I send this info to my MVP-50 engine monitor. HEY click once on the picture

Great idea! How do you get hold of that thing to pull out and add oil?

My wierd engine has the top dipstick like that and a side dipper too. If that is a capacitive sensor like fuel pickups, how do you get signal to something like a G.R.T. E.I.S?

If a lawnmower can have a low oil level alarm, why not something important like an airplane?

06-03-2016, 07:27 AM

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty View Post

Great idea! How do you get hold of that thing to pull out and add oil?

My wierd engine has the top dipstick like that and a side dipper too. If that is a capacitive sensor like fuel pickups, how do you get signal to something like a G.R.T. E.I.S?

If a lawnmower can have a low oil level alarm, why not something important like an airplane?

Good choice in efis... I have GRT's in my birds. I am currently working on Jacks plane N888sw. All new electronics... Dual 8"hxr'ts and a mini-ap

Anyway, the probe actually replaces the dip stick. It is tied into the GRT on an aux input and displayed on the screen

Problem: I used a cap probe for fuel. while it does work it doesn't work very well. The tube has to be larger so the thick oil will drain out. When the engine is running you will most likely see only 2 quarts so I am not sure if its really worth the time. On the ground on a preflight it is ok.

10-24-2016, 10:23 PM

Rusty

I have two 12" x .25 dia. SkySports fuel probes with integral potted electronics head 2.62dia. x .75thk originally foisted on me by Seawind. Now obsolete, probably obsolete when they sold them. I just poked one down the upper dipstick hole -- it went in. Nothing bigger will. Staring in the open end, I see the plastic centering pill around the .062dia brass tube center electrode wouldn't let much flow out. A different scheme like a long spiral wrap of thick fishing monofilament or .03 O-ring stock might work. Would you like one to play with? I'd attach a picture, but I don't understand your instructions. Can attach or imbed to an e-mail.

10-28-2016, 03:59 PM

Mike

Hi Rusty

The fuel probes have a wire down the middle and those round insulators up the wire so the wire doesn't touch the metal tube. You are correct in thinking that the oil won't come out of the tube fast enough. I will be getting a larger tube to fit the cap sense wire in ...mabe a 1/2" tube....sprial wrap is a good idea.

11-01-2016, 12:13 AM

Rusty

I tried a 3/8" tube & it wouldn't fit. The 1/4" skysports probe would go in.

I'm trying to send you pics with this post & can't figure out how it works.

I know how to attach to an e-mail, so I'll try that. I have two 12" probes and two 24" probes.

11-01-2016, 07:39 AM

Mike

When posting go down to "manage atachments" click there and add picts