Removing and refitting the resistance coolant sensor?

[Purple Pixie]

Greetings Bongonauts

I was greeted with a scarey red light and a beeping this morning which did not go away... low coolant! surely not?

Yes... NOT!.. checked.. a fiddle/wobble but no disconnection of the wires/terminals at the coolant tank end turned the beeping off BUT

How do I most easily REMOVE, CLEAN, and REFIT/ RECOMMISSION the sensor assembly???

n.b The setup has a red LED with COOLANT ALARM(?) around it

Anyone used a mechanical system using a float valve assuming the one I have works on resistance of air vs. liquid???

John

[mikeWalsall]

There as been quite a discussion over the last couple of days about cleaning the sensor screw ..

Mine rarely beeps ... very occasionally when wizzing round the island in my 'close' ..

[Purple Pixie]

I will get the battery out to see the terminals and clean what I can then
spray it over with some ignition sealant (clear pvc in solvent in a spray
can used to waterproof exposed electrics

Dr B

[mikeWalsall]

They mean to .. internally .. clean the stainless steel screw ..!!

[Purple Pixie]

The wires connect to the metal object(s) that are in the coolant, waddling the ring connector made it connect up again

[Gasy]

Ooooo piccys of your coolant alarm pls pixie
Do you have a float switch then or 1 - 2 screws in the side of coolant tank

But if you have screws in tank clean the bit that is in the water and don't coat that bit of screw with any thing

I was gonna do a float switch one

[Simon Jones]

What did you end up doing when it happened last time?

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... nt#p625448

[haydn callow]

If wriggling the wire turned it off you have a bad connection....just tighten the screw a bit and check the crimp terminal......no need to clean the screw at this point unless you have recently changed to red coolant

[Purple Pixie]

Other than the one way trip that fitting a float-based system to the expansion tank would be, I like its simplicity. The existing system I assume to be some sort of delay circuit to give the test beep then an open circuit until the level drops. Anyone got a circuit diagram?

[Simon Jones]

A few thoughts on using a float based system:

With a purely resistive based system you've only got one primary source of problems. Add in a mechanical switch with a mechanical float and you now have three points of failure.

Drilling a hole in 15 year old expansion tank that is prone to stress cracks and ensuring its leak-free seems like another potential cause of problems.

What kind of self-test will it have?

[Purple Pixie]

What kind of self test does the existing one have? As far as I see it, all the existing one tests each time you power it up is the LED and beep until the circuit has charged up

[rita]

This one has the self Test function, have fitted a few and they don't seem to have any problems with Red antifreeze.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170927068334? ... EBIDX%3AIT

[mikeonb4c]

This one has the self Test function, have fitted a few and they don't seem to have any problems with Red antifreeze.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170927068334? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Interestingly though that product description contains a health warning:

Before you buy this item please be aware that you coolant system needs to be kept clean and free from any build up of scum in the header tank.

Manufacturers generally recommend coolant changes every two to three years or 30,000 miles.

With all due respect Rita, nobody even knows who you are. It is not reasonable then to post on here suggesting you are now an experienced fitter and making spurious claims. Over what period of time have you followed up the various installations? Do you know how many of these devices are in (reliable) service? Like Bongo head problems, or a faulty car purchased from a dealer, one story can give a distorted and damaging impression.

The LCA I purchased from Haydn has given 8 years faultless and invaluable service (saved me on more than one occasion). Many many others could I suspect say the same, but are probably too busy driving around happily to bother. If anyone wants my two penneth worth, I'd say use ethylene glycol antifreeze to minimise issues.

[haydn callow]

This one has the self Test function, have fitted a few and they don't seem to have any problems with Red antifreeze.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170927068334? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Interesting....have you fitted one and then done a total refill with 13 litres of Red coolant and had no problems In the next few weeks?

[haydn callow]

As a Matter of interest the only red coolant I personally have experienced and had a short term problem with has been from one manufacture. Perhaps not all red coolants are the same....just a thought.

It really is no big deal.....if everything else is in good order it is a short term problem.....putting a clean screw in after a short time will sort it out....if it doesn't there is a underlying problem within the electrical system......most main dealers now fit these alarms to their Bongos and many thousands fitted world wide with very few problems.....
They work much the same as the ebay ones so the screw coating problem would still be a issue....the difference between the two alarms is the quality of components, one main component is much more up to date and the long lasting quality of the assembly
Also remember this alarm was developed from a proven design with the help of this forums members about 8 years ago.....all others are attempts at copies....non have yet worked out exactly how they work.
Also you get your warranty and helpline.