Performax info wanted

[Santa Gertrudis]

I am just curious about the wiring for these. Am I understanding right that there are no senders and just 3 wires to run? I would like the option to switch around gauges and whatnot really easily and these gauges seem like the answer. I plan on running Pyro, Boost, Fuel Pressure, Trans temp, Oil Pressure, HPOP, and EBP eventually, but I wouldnt want all of them at the same time. Does it just take tapping into those 3 wires to add a gauge?

[woodsrat]

Well you got the biggest part of it. There are senders, but everything stays out under the hood. You run the three wires in the cab to run the guages. Yes they just clip in, yes you can switch them around. Now also have a total recall, just push a toggle and all gauges recall lowest/highest settings. We did a photo shoot for DIESEL WORLD on these gauges that should be coming out. I have them in my personal truck and would not give them up. You can add one gauge at a time if needed. Feel free to call or PM me with any other questions.

Chuck
New Era Diesel
740-819-0457

[Michael]

Yup, like Chuck said, you can readily swap gauges around. I keep more sensors hooked up than I have gauge spaces, and just swap the gauge in when I need it. The same 3 wires carry power, ground and data to all of the gauges.

Another new feature is the Performax Data Logger. This is a PC interface (cable & software) which allows you to run a PC in your truck to log all of the data from the Performax system. It's not up on the website yet, but we have it ready to sell. Call and bug our sales people so they will set a price and get it up on the website. Expect pricing to be well below $100 for this option.

Thanks,
Michael Pliska

[Santa Gertrudis]

So its 3 wires into the cab, then 3 from each gauge to those 3? Does anyone have a wiring diagram?

[joefarmer]

I'd like to see data logging to a SD card + 6-8 pyro sensors. Then it would be comparable to a Racepak but have the ISSPRO quality associated with it.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Santa Gertrudis

So its 3 wires into the cab, then 3 from each gauge to those 3? Does anyone have a wiring diagram?

Not quite a wiring diagram, but here is a rendering which shows the wires:


In other words, the same 3 wires are daisy-chained from one gauge to another.

Originally Posted by joefarmer

I'd like to see data logging to a SD card + 6-8 pyro sensors. Then it would be comparable to a Racepak but have the ISSPRO quality associated with it.

Unfortunately we only have two thermocouple input circuits on the existing ESP (main controller), but if there is a demand for it we could make a special version with 8 thermocouple inputs.

Thanks,
Michael Pliska

[Santa Gertrudis]

OH OK! NOW I understand. Thats awesome! How is the price compared to the competition?

[Santa Gertrudis]

Also, what gauges will require a sender? Pyro obviously, but what else? Where does the sender hook up to?

[Michael]

All gauges except for voltmeter requires a sensor. We considered tapping into the OBDII port, but decided against it (at least for now) since so many performance boxes "fool" the OEM controller.

The biggest hassle in pricing is the initial hit to buy the controller (ESP). Each individual gauge (which comes with the associated sensor) is typically lower priced than a similar DiPricol or Autometer Cobalt standalone gauge. The whole system (with ESP cost) compares well versus Optix or Cobalt once you get to 4 or 5 gauges (and is cheaper beyond that). It is MUCH lower priced than the Autometer Nexus system (which is the only similar system out there, and it still requires you to run all your sensor wires into the cab). ISSPRO does not sell this system directly from the factory, but most of our dealers carry it.

Thanks,
Michael Pliska

['strokeThis_'07]

Yea the biggest price is the ESP. Other than that, the gauges themselves are usually quit a bit less than others (250 (DiPricol) vs. 112 (Performax) for rail pressure.) Im going to replace my existing EV series with Performax; my EGT hasnt worked in over a year and Ive tried re-wiring it numerous times, and the little lightbulb holder on my boost gauge breaks after a day. I believe the Performax is LED correct?

Now how the heck do the same three wires go to all the gauges (up to 17) and transfer info to the correct gauge? Thats pretty cool. Alot better than running seperate lighting and sendor wires from each gauge...

[Michael]

Originally Posted by 'strokeThis_'07

I believe the Performax is LED correct?

Yup, all LED backlit.

Originally Posted by 'strokeThis_'07

Now how the heck do the same three wires go to all the gauges (up to 17) and transfer info to the correct gauge? Thats pretty cool. Alot better than running seperate lighting and sendor wires from each gauge...

It all works by magic

Seriously, each gauge gets an ID number, and the messages for all gauges are periodically sent over the bus, so each gauge just watches for his ID number and responds appropriately.

Thanks,
Michael

[Santa Gertrudis]

Ok, Im starting to understand this now. The sensors for the gauge tap into the ESP then?

I dont know why Im asking all this, Im sure they come with good instructions.

[Michael]

Sorry, I should have started from the beginning with a decent description of the whole system. I've been talking about this system for so long I sometimes forget that some people have not seen it yet.

The main controller (ESP) can be mounted under the hood. Typically you can find an underhood source for the ground, battery, and switched ignition wires. You run the wires from each gauge's sensor into the ESP (which is handy since you can mount it in a spot which makes it easy to run the underhood sensor wiring to it). You run the 3 gauge wires into the cab, where they daisy-chain to all of the gauges. You typically run one additional wire into the cab for the factory instrument panel backlighting circuit.

I have more sensors hooked up than I have space for gauges, so I swap gauges around depending on how I am using my truck.

Thanks,
Michael Pliska

['strokeThis_'07]

Originally Posted by Michael

You typically run one additional wire into the cab for the factory instrument panel backlighting circuit.

That was my next question, whether you still could tap into the factory dimmer or if the unit had its own seperate brightness adjustment. Guess I better pony up some dough and get me some, and finally finish all my gauges.

Thanks for the info

[Santa Gertrudis]

Yea, I want some of these BAD now!

The price seemed up there at first, but the simplicity and utility of the system seems like it is worth it.