Coolant Alarm or Mason alarm?

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:30 pm

I've read all the posts - and not sure which one is going to save my engine best? I get the coolant alarm - hoses are a 10 year old hoses are a liability. but couldnt overheating could be caused by something else which would make the mason alarm potentially better...or would the coolant alarm pick up a problem before the mason alarm? Any views out there? Of course I could fit both...!!

paul9 · Post by **paul9** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:39 pm

around £100 for both alarms is a small price to pay compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a cooked engine

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:13 am

I've also deliberated over this one and have come to the conclusion that both have their merits and no negatives but the Mason alarm will warn you of ANY potential overheating problem, whether it be coolant loss or a blockage or a faulty fan etc. whereas the level alarm will only tell you just that.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:54 am

BUT, the coolant alarm will warn you before the engine has even started to overheat (possibly when you are miles from anywhere) and the implications of that should be remembered. But I agree with paul9 - fit both (I expect I will in due course! Of course, nothing will ever happen then. But thats what we pay our insurance premium for!

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:07 am

Don't really know if I should comment on this one.. So I will... I have both a coolant alarm and a cylinder head temp gauge fitted. I am pretty confidant that these will cover just about everything. If the head cracks, gasket blows, busted fans, etc then the chances are that the coolant will NOT be lost from the header tank so the temp (Mason) alarm may well save the day. However I belive most cases of overheating involve coolant loss in the first place and the coolant alarm will go off before the temp rises. This gives you a chance of stopping, hopefully finding the cause of the loss and repairing (temporary), replacing a cupful of coolant and getting on with your journey. If the coolant alarm was not fitted the Mason alarm would go off but by then a lot of coolant could have been lost. There is a lot to be said for both systems. Fitting both would be ideal, if it becomes a matter of one or the other....you pays your money and ??????
I have of course a interest in the coolant alarm. As I said I have fitted both types (my cyl head alarm is not a Mason but I would have fitted his if it had been available) I am happy with what I now have and I belive they cover all eventualities.
They work in different ways. Our alarm monitors your coolant level and Dave's improves the sensitivity of your temp gauge and has a high temp alarm.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:20 am

I applaud your middle of the road reply haydn - especially as you have an axe to grind" ...........................have you ever wondered what that expression really means?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:41 am

I just did wonder and I still don't know.
My axe is a very small one. I make a bit of beer money out of the alarms but quite a lot of time is spent putting the alarms together, making up wires, printing and packageing. I could earn far more money working at my trade (dental ceramist) but I am semi retired now and enjoy my golf and holidays. I can make up a few kits in the middle of the night if I want.
This all started because I wanted a reliable alarm in my Bongo and it snowballed. I belive it is a very good product but I am certainly not going to knock anyone else who is trying to achieve somthing along the same lines. I don't think for a minute that Dave is getting rich quick for the work he puts in. There is room for everyone.
In a ideal situation combining the two (there must be some common parts) would be great and cheaper than buying both. However I really wouldn't know. My forte is making false teeth. Electronics is a mystery to me.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:43 am

...and you cant say fairer than that

Yamaha · Post by **Yamaha** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:17 pm

Hadyn said "My forte is making false teeth".

Mike sez - I need a new set of gnashers - could you do me a set on the cheap? I'll even travel to your abode for fittings!!

Mike

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:49 pm

Yahama !! shouldn't this be in the "for sale/wanted"? I might have a old set from a lady about your size that we could squeeze in. They only need a good clean and scrub off the fried egg.
Contact me in a couple of weeks (golf holiday in Spain) and I will see what I can do.
Depends what you call cheap!!

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:28 pm

How did we get form coolant alarms, to false gnashers with stuck on fried egg yolk?

(flippin mad you bongo lot!)

As far as i can see it,before the mason alarm came along,the haydn system gave a great peace of mind, and offered a lot of protection for the bongo's cooling system....9 times out of ten, a coolant loss is indicative of a cooling problem elsewhere,and a very quick intervension by the driver could avert further damage being done.

The mason alarm is like an added peace of mind covering more possible eventualities...I cant really see how you could fit one system over the other... If you care enough about the cooling system on your bongo,then the likelyhood is that BOTH alarm systems will be purchased,as this gives a more comprehensive assurance of nipping any problems in the bud,BEFORE the cylider head melts!

I quickly fitted a haydn alarm, and love it... a mason alarm will soon be making it's way onto my bongo too, for that more complete coverage

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:52 pm

Well said ,Sir. Couldn't have put it better myself...Well I could !! and anyway! who mentioned egg yoke ?? mad ! who me Sir? Time for a tinny.
Anyone been watching Murphy's Law ?? soon be 9 0'Clock for the last bit. Rebus on Friday, Spooks will be back. Must be winter. And still got the brake pads to do on Bongo.
By the way the coolant alarm is being morphed into a system that will suit other vehicles. Top hose probes will be available soon for those vehicles that do not have a pressurised header tank. Anyone interested, let me know and perhaps we develope a kit to suit. Not really Bongo business but closer than egg yoke.

daveblueozzie · Post by **daveblueozzie** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:36 pm

i have fitted the coolant alarm and just recieved the mason alarm so for under 100 quid , having them both has got to be a lot cheaper than something blowing or leaking and finding out too late.

Raff · Post by **Raff** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:45 pm

daveblueozzie wrote:i have fitted the coolant alarm and just recieved the mason alarm so for under 100 quid , having them both has got to be a lot cheaper than something blowing or leaking and finding out too late.

How do we get hold of these, through the individules involved or through the Bongo shop ? and do they come with iddiot guides to fit them

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:52 pm

I have bought the mason alarm and fitted it, for me i think its got the upper edge over the coolant loss alarm, as it actually stops overheating by warning you that its getting hot wether its because you have a leaking hose or a blocked rad,or the fans arnt working.

The coollant loss alarm only warns you that you have lost coolant, allthoe this in itself is good, it only tells you this.

So for me the mason alarm has the deffinate upperhand and @£27, its a snip.

But it all comes down to what you want, and feel safe with.