mjs2011
Full Access Member
For the past couple of months, I have been working on a Vegetable oil system controller for my pickup. It is powered by an Arduino mega and features a touch screen to display information and to allow for inputs. The system reads in coolant temperature via a temp sensor and a voltage divider and will switch between oil and diesel either automatically or manually based on the coolant temperature. The switching is done by mosfets which are controlled by the arduino to allow for switching of 12V (the arduino operates at 5v). It also handles purge times by cycling the supply and return valves back to diesel at the correct times.
The beauty of the system is that since its powered by an Arduino microcontroller, it is very customizable. So I have decided to also add a pyrometer with this system. All that is needed is a k type thermocouple amplifier and a k type EGT probe. I got the thermcouple amplifier with a cheesy little thermocouple for 15 dollars, and have already tested it with my controller to prove that it works. I have a better thermcouple probe on order, this one to be exact. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HW44F4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The shipping is slow, but the price was right, so I figured if it doesnt work, I'm not out much. This probe won't arrive until sometime in April, so when it shows up, Ill get it installed and hopefully I'll have the controller wrapped up and ready to install as well.
Here's a picture of it being tested with the coolant sensor. (Eng. Temp and EGT are being simulated based on Oil Temp in this photo just as place holders.) Oil temp on the screen actually signifies the temperature of the coolant in the WVO filter head. This filter head has a cross flow plate with oil in and out, as well as coolant in and out to heat up the oil.
I just figured I'd share with you guys. Let me know what you all think.
The beauty of the system is that since its powered by an Arduino microcontroller, it is very customizable. So I have decided to also add a pyrometer with this system. All that is needed is a k type thermocouple amplifier and a k type EGT probe. I got the thermcouple amplifier with a cheesy little thermocouple for 15 dollars, and have already tested it with my controller to prove that it works. I have a better thermcouple probe on order, this one to be exact. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HW44F4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The shipping is slow, but the price was right, so I figured if it doesnt work, I'm not out much. This probe won't arrive until sometime in April, so when it shows up, Ill get it installed and hopefully I'll have the controller wrapped up and ready to install as well.
Here's a picture of it being tested with the coolant sensor. (Eng. Temp and EGT are being simulated based on Oil Temp in this photo just as place holders.) Oil temp on the screen actually signifies the temperature of the coolant in the WVO filter head. This filter head has a cross flow plate with oil in and out, as well as coolant in and out to heat up the oil.
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I just figured I'd share with you guys. Let me know what you all think.