Haydn's Alarms

mellyarnold · Post by **mellyarnold** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:58 pm

Hi all

Im sure this has been covered tons of times but to be truthful I find the posts on this subject a bit too techie for me (no offence meant but both Adam and I are crap at anything mechanical so goes right over our heads)

All this talk lately about coolant loss etc has panicked me into getting one of these alarms, as they say prevention is better than a cure!

How much do these cost?
Are they easy to fit? (bearing in mind it would be me and Adam attempting it?
Would it be advisable to get coolant changed and hoses checked before getting an alarm fitted?

Sorry and thanks in advance

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:08 am

alarm bells ringing

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:25 am

Yes alan, i'm sure he/she will spot this!

Hi Mel&adam, The coolant alarm is quite simple to fit,very comprehensive instructions are included.

I'd suggest having a trawl through the various threads on the alarm to get you used to what's involved in the fitting....

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:34 am

he sells them on ebay, mark 2 is easier to fit as it just plugs into the ciggy socket, drill a couple of holes in the header tank with the template, screw on the relevant wires, run them through into the cab & plug it in

Not sure if the mark 3 is on sale yet this is built into a 3 in 1 lighter socket, so not only does it not lose a socket, you gain a couple more. pm Haydn, i think members may get them a bit cheaper. The mark 1 isn't much more difficult to fit, from what the guys have said. Would recommend a mason alarm too which makes the crap temp gauge more sensitive & gives you a settable alarm. both alarms together under £100 & an hour to fit

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:57 am

yes ... id definitely check my hoses over first and replace as necessary

but then i would say that wouldnt i

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:13 am

A very good point Flippa, much better to reduce the risk in the first place

it's on my list, honest

If I get around to doing a twin tank system with a veg oil heater tapped off the coolant system, i'll probably think about changing as many as is practical/affordable at the time.

cheffy34 · Post by **cheffy34** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:15 am

I't would be on my list aswell but unfortunately

as to the coolant alarm it not that bad to fit, it well explained in the destructions

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:34 am

sounds complicated kirsty

good luck

mellyarnold · Post by **mellyarnold** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:44 am

Thanks for the replies, just a couple more questions before I stop mithering you all

Where do I get the mason alarms from, would that be Haydn too?

To change hoses would it be best to get Adrian at Bury to do it?

What would be the average cost of the hoses?

Sorry and thanks again

p.s gonna pm Haydn now too

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:56 pm

Mason alarm can be bought straight from Dave Mason - http://www.townace.com/ie/ietemga2.htm. -

MG, you beat me to it

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:06 pm

Away in Devon in the Bongo at the moment. Will be on the case on my return home tomorrow.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:51 am

Mike at Wheelquick has been fitting (flippas silicone hoses) to Bongos and is probably the most familiar with their special needs (decent quality jubilee clips and specail care with tightening / checking water tightness). I've taken the view that an assessment of condition backed up with a low coolant alarm is reasonable risk management for now, though I'm scratching my head about which hoses to get and carry with me for if/when a hose lets go a long way from home. Anyone care to suggest the main culprits?

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:01 am

mikeonb4c wrote:Mike at Wheelquick has been fitting (flippas silicone hoses) to Bongos and is probably the most familiar with their special needs (decent quality jubilee clips and specail care with tightening / checking water tightness). I've taken the view that an assessment of condition backed up with a low coolant alarm is reasonable risk management for now, though I'm scratching my head about which hoses to get and carry with me for if/when a hose lets go a long way from home. Anyone care to suggest the main culprits?

Naaa, aint you like me, the technical term is cream crackered

So all u need is an AA, RAC or similar card.

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:07 am

mike just bite the bullet and change them

you know you want too

...and you know the best place to get them fitted...a sunday service so im told

....main culprits at the mo ...well im getting alot of people buying the "top hose" engine to steel pipe.......although i have none of these available outside of the sets of 6

until my stocks are replenished ... i would say if you have checked your hoses over lately and are happy with there current condition, then there is no need to change them

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:12 am

Cheers flippa. It sounds silly but I'm kind of enjoying testing my judgement out, with the low coolant alarm as a safety net if I fall off the high wire. If at some point you decide to do a 'main culprits' set I'd be up for one in black plus a pointer on what size/make of jubilee clips to get as I know they have to be the right ones for the silicone hoses.

Just gotta get some cash in the funds first