Pulse Sensor?

So I have been learning a lot recently about how helpful pulse sensors can be ( both in the intake and the cooling system) and I was looking at purchasing or making one. I have seen the videos making one from a smoke detector, but I was wondering would an old MAP sensor work? Then I got thinking if that was the case... why doesn't everyone just backprobe the signal wire on the MAP? Does it not have the detail required for something like that? Just curious.

Using a MAP sensor would need a 5v stabilised supply. Much easier to buy a $2 piezo sensor off ebay and stick it in a container with a pipe on the end and a BNC on the other.
I have an old MAP sensor sitting on my desk waiting to be added to my DIY scope tool selection, but I have already built the 5v supply for pressure sensors.
Good point about using the one on the car if it has one and it's accessible

I've tried using the MAP sensor on several different vehicles for intake pulse waveforms. None of them had the same kind of response or detail that a dedicated pulse sensor has .

However, I have seen MAP sensors used for head gasket testing with success. There's just the matter of supplying 5V as Wightscope mentioned.

I've made several of my own, but end up just buying one from Cody's Auto Diagnostics. Much better quality than what I could piece together at home.

A basic pressure sensor and a pulse sensor are doing two different things though.

Think of it this way a MAP sensors is like a doctor checking a patients blood pressure, but a pulse sensor is more like an doctor taking a ECG.

Ok thanks for the information! I guess I will put one on my shopping list.

Does cody have an online store to browse?

Sent from my moto g fast using Tapatalk

No, you have to go through his Facebook page

www.facebook.com/CodysAutoDiagnostics/

I use the Nicholson Pulse Sensor.


Jarhead Diagnostics is another option.

After messing around with home build ones I bought the Ditex one a few years back
autoditex.com/pressure-pulse-sensor-63.html

Andy.MacFadyen wrote: After messing around with home build ones I bought the Ditex one a few years back

I don't know what the Ditex costs. But, the first pulse sensor I ever bought was a Firstlook sensor, by SenX Tech. I paid over $400, plus shipping. AESwave now sells them for $350.

A year, or so, later, I decided that I needed a second pulse sensor. I found the NPS on Facebook. The sensor AND a BNC/Banana plug cable for about $100. After using it, I bought another one. Then, I bought 2 more. Now, my poor $400 firstlook sensor, rarely, gets used. NPS is the only sensor, (that I know of) that accepts BNC AND Banana plug.


I believe, all the home built sensors listed above are of very good quality, with many people in the industry currently using them without complaint.

I use Rotkee sensor (17 dollars) and it works great.