Home project for displaying engine oil temp and pressure.

[FONT=&quot]Hi, I did some plc programming in university but as a mechanical engineer we only skimmed the surface.

So I thought I would seek some advise. Basically what I'm trying to achieve is a setup where by I can monitor my engine oil temperature and pressure from a small: aprox 76mm x 110mm LCD mono tone display, nothing fancy, while I'm driving the car.

I know there are gauges designed for this purpose but I think they would ruin the dash of the car. The small display I mentioned above I can attach onto the air vent and remove when it's not wanted.

I've been looking at PLC's and displays for the last few days on the internet but I seem to have more questions then answers.

What would be the cheapest vendor that would be able to accomplish this including the temperature and pressure sensors, plc and display. I will also need the software too.

Regards,
Matthew
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Least expensive would be a "smart" relay, maybe something like this:
http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/it.A/id.31085/.f?category=38493

Runs on 12VDC, software is free, and a small display included.

Thankyou, Ken for the help on the PLC.

Can anyone help me with the sensors?
Temperature up to 130 deg celcius and the pressure up to about 80PSI?

Also as a further tought, has any one heard of a sensor that can measure vacuum and pressure in one?

Cheers

Matt

Can't help you with the sensors, I've used low end units, most of the instruments I use probably cost more than your engine.
You could start here: http://www.omega.com/pressure/psc.html
http://www.omega.com/temperature/tsc.html


You can get pressure transducers that are set up for absolute (PSIA) with zero being a perfect vacuum.

Search for Megasquirt.
They do aftermarket fuel injection engine management computers. These include temperature, pressure and manifold pressure/vacuum measurements and sensors.