Air Filter Warning on BX2230

[dlsmith]

I noticed soon after I bought my BX that there was an 1/8" male threaded fitting on the air filter housing, and I wondered about connecting a restriction gauge to monitor the health of the air filter.
I have a restriction filter on my Yanmar powered genset, but finding a place to mount one on the BX where it would be easily seen didn't seem obvious. Then I found a restriction gauge for a Ford Power Stroke engine that has an internal switch to tell the operator the filter needs attention. At less than $20, it seemed like a solution to my problem. With a collection of fittings, a length of 1/4" DOT plastic air line, a cushion clamp, a hunk of aluminum angle, a 1/4" bolt and nut, a 150 series female metri-pack connector, 3 feet of plastic wire conduit, two sets of male and female bullet connectors and some 18 ga. wire, it was installed and hooked up.
I connected the switch to the HST warning light in the dash, which isn't used on the BX.
Now, if the air filter gets plugged up and gets the restriction gauge into the yellow, close to the red, it turns on the HST light.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Nice use of the otherwise non functional light. Just be aware that the suction limit on a 6+ liter Powerstroke turbo diesel is different from a NA 1. something diesel.

 

[DustyRusty]

I check mine often enough that I don't need a gauge to tell me when it is dirty. I check my equipment regularly and grease it frequently.. Little things like pulling the dipstick to check the oil level and knowing when to change it become second nature when you value the equipment that you paid with money that you worked hard to get. Other than that, nice install. Let us know when it tells you that it is time to change your air filter. I change mine long before they become clogged. Filters are inexpensive as compared to buying a new engine.

 

[GrizBota]

Nice looking install. Looks factory (actually better than that). My Grand L has a restriction monitor, but it’s only visual when open the hood.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea I have a feeling by the time you plug up the filter bad enough to trip that sensor, your going to have some serious issues.

 

[Daferris]

I would have to look at the one on my F350 to see if it's marked with the rating. But the ones on my semis tripped at 20 or 25 inches of water column vacuum that's not a lot so you should be fine.
The main reason they use them is to minimize the opportunity for dirt to get past the filter as there is less opening of the air box to check the filter.

 

[lynnmor]

This type of switch will work, they were standard equipment on Wheel Horse 520-H models.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I would have to look at the one on my F350 to see if it's marked with the rating. But the ones on my semis tripped at 20 or 25 inches of water column vacuum that's not a lot so you should be fine.
The main reason they use them is to minimize the opportunity for dirt to get past the filter as there is less opening of the air box to check the filter.

Our SD Fords are one or the other. I believe it is 20. Not a lot for a turbo, but too much for a NA engine. Ive blocked off parts of the filter with cardboard to see when it would trip the sensor into the red. Then did a full throttle 0-60 after incremental additional blockage. I'm not letting my filter get that plugged up.
Yes, filters actually filter better after some loading. But 20" wc is a lot of restriction.