coolant loss detection gadget

corblimey · Post by **corblimey** » Tue May 01, 2007 1:16 pm

As has already has been pointed out the critical factor is coming up with a suitable, accurate and reliable sensor. If someone can come up with a mod for that we can move forward.

If push came to shove you may be able to persuade me to come up a detection circuit. I'm not that clued up on electronics (although I know a man who is) but I do have some experience with PIC systems and I'm sure I could cobble something together. They're cheap and very easy to build and the results can be quite sophisticated which is why they're so cool.

If you don't know what a PIC is then imagine a very basic computer that costs about £2.

Of course, a simple sensor / buzzer arrangement would be a much simpler solution but why do things the easy way when you can do them the interesting way?

Oh dear, I feel a geek attack coming on. Please excuse me for a moment.

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Tue May 01, 2007 1:27 pm

I 'll investigate how much the coolant level sensors are that the company I work for fit. I think the mounting gubbins would be too large bore for the bongo top hose but I'll investigate how it can be modified. It would be cheap enough to make it a viable option for every bongo. Watch this space!. Does anyone know what internal diameter the Bongo top hose is as I'm not with mine at the moment?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 2:56 pm

Done a bit of research and it seems that to be of any use the sensor must be above the level of the cylinder head to be of any use (makes sense). In the Bongo the top hose leaves the radiator and almost at once does a 90 degree turn downwards. There is not enough room to fit much in the bit of hose where it leaves the rad and on the downwards bit it is getting lower than the head. So!! the header tank would be the best bet although the company that sell the sensor that fits inline with the hose also do a Mk 1 version that you slip under the hose where it exits the rad. The inline one costs £70.40 including P & P from Australia , the other a bit less. I like the idea of two probes in the header tank and and if anyone comes up with a solution count me in for one.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:07 pm

I'm getting all excited with this intelligent chat. If we can come up with a reasonably priced solution, I'd put my money up too. Well done chaps. I'll bet Ian is watching this thread. Could be this years Bongo 'Must Have'

Mike

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:08 pm

Just been out and had another look at the hoses on the bongo. I don't think it would be viable to fit anything in the top hose. That leaves the header tank and perhaps the hose that leaves the header tank and goes to the top of the rad. If it was possible to modify the inline sensor to fit this small bore hose that would be easy, I will contact the firm and ask. Watch this space.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:56 pm

Contacted the company in Aus, awaiting a reply. Have also ordered a inline sensor to see if it can be adapted to fit the header tank hose. Watch this space. You will be the first to know.

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Tue May 01, 2007 5:24 pm

well i bit the bullet and ordered one of those i listed on here
anything that will give you a couple of vital seconds to stop the cylinder head going bang can`t be a bad thing
said it will take about 2 weeks to get here from kangaroo land down under,

so should be here waiting to have a play for when i get back from poland
as well as the towbar/turbo timer/coolant pressure testing thinghy/

oh what fun

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 6:01 pm

clogger... Where do you intend to fit it!! I think the top hose is a no no.
I think I may be able to get a rubber adapter that will enable it to be fitted in the hose from the header tank.
I'm sure my narrowboat engine had what we called a TOPHAT fitted in the cooling system that will do the job just fine. Will let you know.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 6:15 pm

vanmanerik.. Think we are at crossed wires. The in line sensor I have ordered from Aus is fitted in the top hose and as long as it has coolant flowing through it keeps quite. When it detects no coolant it sounds off. However I feel it would not be viable to fit it in the top hose so I am looking into adapting it to fit the smaller header tank hose.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 6:16 pm

Help vanmanerik!! where's your last post.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:00 pm

Glogger is - I presume - getting the device that senses temperature on the metal block and simply has to be bolted in place. Lord knows how you calibrate it, trial and error I suppose with the basic assumption that the head temp shouldnt be more than 100 degrees C (or a bit over - pressurised system etc.). BUT, will temp at the measuring point give enough warning of meltdown occurring in the engine core if things happen quickly. Maybe Dandy or Smartmonkey etc. might have a view?

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:23 pm

From experience with commercial Yanmar diesels it is not uncommon to get hot spots at various places within the cylinder head and engine block when coolant is lost. How will we determine where to place the temp sensor on the head or block. I recently rebuilt an engine that had picked up on the cylinder bore furthest from the water pump due to loss of coolant from the radiator. If the level drops in the coolant system I don't think you'll be lucky enough to be able to have positioned the temp sensor in such a way to warn before the damage is done. This why I think a level sensor is far more suited to a Bongo application. There is already a temp guage fitted and we know how ineffective they are! Just my 2 penneth!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue May 01, 2007 11:31 pm

I agree 100% ChrisEm

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue May 01, 2007 11:38 pm

ChrisEm--- I think this sensor will work on a bongo co's it is placed inside a coolant hose at a higher level than the cylinder head. As long as the sensor probes are imersed in coolant all is well. In the event of coolant loss and the moment the probes are no longer imersed all hell is let loose with alarms and flashing LED,s. Sounds good to me.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed May 02, 2007 11:06 am

Block sensors only really work in air cooled engines. Water loss detection has to be the way to go. I like the float switches because they are cheap, reliable and don't need any electronics to function. In my opinion it has to be sited at the highest point to be of any use and that is going to be the header tank. I may have a look for insertion probes to go in the header outlet pipe. There are loads of bits available for motorbikes that can be adapted but that may mean buying stuff and I hate that.