Spray Indicator Light
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Hampton Roads, VA
Spray Indicator Light I'm finally getting to my nitrous install on an LT1, this is the second system I've installed but the first was pretty "janky". I'm now running a Mallory 685, fuel pressure sensor, bottle heater and a single fogger for a 50, 75 or 100 hp max shot. Not trying for a big hp number since the car already makes pretty decent power. It's a stick car and I'm not planning to launch it hard so a few extra hp downtrack would be nice to have.
I was wondering if there's any advantage to adding a light to the system (maybe on the hood facing the driver, that indicated that the nitrous is spraying). The car will be on a window switch (3000-6000 rpm off the Mallory 685) and also a micro switch. I was thinking it might be good to see that the system is spraying by adding an LED that you can see when looking downtrack. With there being 3 switches that have to all be 100% it might be good to know there's a malfunction in the system before the solenoids. Just curious if anyone does this or if there's just no benefit to it. With such a small spray it might be less noticeable that with a large plate system.
I was wondering if there's any advantage to adding a light to the system (maybe on the hood facing the driver, that indicated that the nitrous is spraying). The car will be on a window switch (3000-6000 rpm off the Mallory 685) and also a micro switch. I was thinking it might be good to see that the system is spraying by adding an LED that you can see when looking downtrack. With there being 3 switches that have to all be 100% it might be good to know there's a malfunction in the system before the solenoids. Just curious if anyone does this or if there's just no benefit to it. With such a small spray it might be less noticeable that with a large plate system.
Just wouldn't work without being overly complicated... Sure you could have a light that says the solenoid is getting power, but you don't know if the solenoid is opening or not.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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We run an Autometer nitrous gauge that has a stupid bright blue LED light in it. The gauge turns on when you power up the system. The blue light shuts off when the Nitrous bottle is opened. This keeps you from forgetting to open the bottle. We have the sender just before the solenoid so you know its on. You can't believe how many people forget to open the bottle or turn the system on. The gauge will tell you both at a glance. The LED will not let you forget to open the bottle due to its burning your eyes out till you do. A 100 shot on our car netted us a .93 faster in the 1/4. So yes you will be able to tell for sure. As for a light when the noids are spraying. Its already to late if it doesn't.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2021
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Unless the solenoid is unplugged or just broken, that's likely to be an indication that it's squirting.
But @TTur1996 does bring up a good point. Even if the solenoid opens, nothing's going to happen if you left the valve on the bottle closed.
So an LED light setup with power from the solenoid power and grounded through a pressure switch on the supply tubing/hose somewhere would be a much better indicator.
And the gauge with a low pressure warning light would be a better idea. You could possibly add the light from the solenoid to that to show when the solenoid gets power. Although if you install the sensor for the gauge at the solenoid, you should see some movement of the needle on the gauge when the solenoid opens.
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Listen fellas, you only need to know if the system is powered up. The gage will tell you that. Then it will tell you if you have the bottle open. When your leaving the line and hit the wot switch. If your solenoid activation light doesn't turn on, what are you going to do?. Pull over and check it. Like I already said. It is too late. If you know your car. You will definitely know if its spraying or not.
Before you run. Leave the bottle off and make sure there is no fuel or nitrous pressure. Turn the system on and push in on the wot switch by hand not using the throttle. You will hear a loud click coming from the solenoids. When you have the progressive you will hear the solenoids chatter till the programmed time is up and then they stay on till you let off the wot switch..
If for some reason you do spray nitrous into your motor while its not running. Do not turn the ignition on!!!! Turn the motor over with it off for about ten revolutions to evacuate the nitrous out of your motor. If not, BOOM.
Before you run. Leave the bottle off and make sure there is no fuel or nitrous pressure. Turn the system on and push in on the wot switch by hand not using the throttle. You will hear a loud click coming from the solenoids. When you have the progressive you will hear the solenoids chatter till the programmed time is up and then they stay on till you let off the wot switch..
If for some reason you do spray nitrous into your motor while its not running. Do not turn the ignition on!!!! Turn the motor over with it off for about ten revolutions to evacuate the nitrous out of your motor. If not, BOOM.
