TexMexCowboy

I have had the commander for a while now and I am getting to not like that stupid thing. Why because the fuel pressure sender keeps messing up. I have replaced it once already and now it looks like it is doing it again. I know I have pressure my filter is clean so I don’t know what else it could be. How many of yall have had that problem and did you guys just get a different gauge to monitor your fuel pressure? I am running the Glacier lift pump and a new injection pump. Right now I am showing that I have about 14 to 15 psi but when I floor it to take off it shoots down to 0 psi. It takes off fine with no problems I am going to double check everything but Yesterday everything looked fine with no problems. I am wondering if you guys have had the same problem with the unit and if you just put a different unit on there? What do you guys recommend me to do?

jentas

Mine doesn't work either. From the older posts I've read, all the electronic fp sending units are trash for this application. They just don't last for very long at all. I'm looking into a mechanical fp gauge, but I really don't like the idea of running fuel line into my cab.

98.5Hotrod

You don't run fuel into the cab. You run fuel to a isolator then from the isolator you run antifreeze in the line to the gauge. Check it out at Geno's Garage.

TexMexCowboy

Yea but what sux about this is that they are expensive I bought this stupid thing because they said it worked for everything. This sux I guess i am not the only one then. I am glad to know that.

jentas

Right, I've been seeing a bunch of different information on the mechanical setups. Some say the isolators are good, many say they are finicky and don't last very long. I've read that there shouldn't be any problems without an isolator if you use good connections and good hose.
Have you run a setup with an isolator for a while? Is it working out well for you?

carl48

do not worry about a fuel line into the cab we have 138 diesel engines in our fleet and over 41 years owned many more most have or had factory fuel pressure gauges from the factory with diesel fuel to the gauge if you use two oil pressure gauge kits with the 6' tube and a snubber in the middle before connection to the sensor it will keep the pulsations from tearing it up

clarson80

I have had fuel in the line into my fp gauge for a couple years now and no problems. I have a needle valve for a shut off/snubber for pulsations. I also put the gauge just above the transfer case shifter, so IF it leaks (which I doubt) it will only spill on the floorboards vs. down the pillar and into the dash.

TexMexCowboy

I am going to look in to this. I still am mad that i spent all that money on the Commander and now I think it is worth less.

dieselfan

dont feel bad, i feel the same way

jentas

Just spent a couple hours going through old posts on the mechanical fp gauge. In addition to what clarson80 and carl48 just said about the running the fuel straight to the mechanical gauge with a snubber or needle valve, most of what I've read has helped me make the decision to go ahead and order what I need right now (I'm getting sick of not having a fuel pressure reading). Definitely just going with the mechanical gauge in the cab with a needle valve or snubber in line and no isolator.

Texmexcowboy: I'm with you on being angry at spending so much on that commander and it not doing what it's supposed to.
I'm not looking to spend a lot more money to get a reliable fuel pressure reading, so this is the setup I'm going to order tonight. You might be interested in something like this.
Getting a 35 psi Autometer water pressure gauge from Surplus Center for $19 shipped.
From Vulcan Performance, I'm getting 6' of 1/4" fuel line, all the 1/8 npt to 1/4" pushlock and other connectors, and a gauge mount--for about $20. I've already got a 1/8 npt tapped adapter fitting right at the inlet of the vp. Vulcan also has stainless braided hose available in custom lengths, but I think I'm just going with the regular 1/4" fuel line hose with a needle valve in the engine compartment and a needle valve in the cab.

clarson80 and carl48: Where do you get a snubber? Is a needle valve good enough?

dieselfan

im doing pretty much the same thing, except im going with a liquid filled fuel psi gauge from jegs for 17 bucks.

and yes the needle valve will act as a snubber when you barely crack it open.

TexMexCowboy

jentas you just reminded me why I am glad I am part of this site. thanks a bunch you just saved me alot of time and money. I think I am going to do the same also.
Ok also explain a needle valve and a snubber where do I find those and how much.

jentas

No problem, glad to help. All the info I needed was scattered around this site. It's' a great relief to find out that we can get a complete mechanical gauge setup for so little money. Your setup will be a little different from mine because I have the Airdog system and big lines straight from it to the vp. But they should have all the fuel hose and adapters you need to make it work at Vulcan Performance. And the Jegs liquid filled gauge that dieselfan just posted about looks like the best bet to me as well--Just wish I'd seen that before I pulled the trigger on an Autometer without the liquid.

The needle valve is what will minimize my worries about running fuel into the cab. It's simply a shutoff valve that you spin to open or close. Apparently you put in inline to the mechanical gauge and crack it just enough to get a good reading. Without it, pulsations in the system will cause the gauge to jump around too much and eventually fail. They have them at Vulcan Performance for $3.. I did find the snubber also at DieselManor. It's just a connector with a piston inside to reduce problems with pulsations and costs $26.

sheriffav8r

I had the same problem with the Commander and Quadzilla assured me they are working on a fix and should have something workable out soon. In the meantime I put a 0-100 oil pressure sender on and it works great. Just change the sender to 0-100 in the Commander. I got the AutoMeter 2242 from Summit Racing ( http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku ) for $30 and it has performed flawlessly for the past 4 months.

TexMexCowboy

well let me know how it is doing in 8 months because thats how long ago I got the replacement from Quadzilla and now it is acting up again.