fitting a new ignition panel to vp 2001

[gordon029]

Hello Is it possible to fit a vetus ignition panel to a volvo 2001 diesel engine.The panel I have in mind has a volt meter, tacho, oil temp a water temp guage and an ignition. Are there the connections already on the engine because if so I can't find them.I am considering doing this as I have no guages on the existing panel and I really would like some early warning device9such as a tacho etc) for the engine in case of problems as it is a rather old unit.I really would appreciate any advice from the forum.Thank you

 

[earlybird]

I think the answer is basically not really, without significant work.
Voltmeter is probably straightforward.
Tacho, assuming driven from the alternator, would need wiring and calibration, which might not be straightforward.
Oil and water temperature would require new senders matched to the gauges plus wiring. The existing ones will be alarm switches I would expect.

 

[DaveS]

I think the answer is basically not really, without significant work.
Voltmeter is probably straightforward.
Tacho, assuming driven from the alternator, would need wiring and calibration, which might not be straightforward.
Oil and water temperature would require new senders matched to the gauges plus wiring. The existing ones will be alarm switches I would expect.

I don't think the last point is necessarily correct. From my recollections Volvo did two standard panels for the 2000 series engines: a basic one like that on my boat with a tacho gauge but only warning lights for water temp and oil pressure, and a fancier one with gauges for the latter as well as a key switch rather than a start button, and since these were plug in alternatives I would expect the senders to work with either.

OTOH the OP's panel apparently doesn't even have a tacho, so that does raise some doubts.

Edit: checking on the 2000 series operator's manual (available online, previous posts refer, search for VP2002_OpMan.pdf, or pm me for a copy) the two panels are as I described and are shown as Alternative A and Alternative B on page 2.

2nd edit: pages 19 and 20 show the wiring for the two panel options: Alternative B has both gauge senders and alarm senders for water temp and oil pressure. So in fact you are quite right.

I have left this post, however, rather than deleting it since some of the above might be helpful to others.

 

[cryan]

Nothing is impossible it is all just a matter of time and money. Most temp sensors sit in pockets in the pipe so they should be easy to switch to any brand of sensor. If there is no sensor currently fitted at all it is not impossible to modify pipes to accept sensors. You can also get thermometers which clip onto the outside of pipes. The tacho will be the most complicated as mechanical ones need calibrating to the engine. An inductive pick up based one might be easier to set up? Do you really need a tacho? If the engine is screaming turn it down a bit if its burbling turn it up a bit. Another solution if your worried about temps etc is a infrared handheld thermometer with a laser sight coupled with a good watchkeeping regime. This obviously depends on the ease of engine access. Do you already own the Vetus panel? If not it might be cheaper to just buy loose gauges and make your own panel.

 

[gordon029]

I am extremely grateful for this information.From the sound of things it seems a bit complicated and time consuming and as I have not bought the vetus panel yet I think I will rely on the existing system of more noise more speed less noise less speed. Thanks again to all for your replies