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Haydn's Alarms
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:58 pm
by mellyarnold
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

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:08 am
by dandywarhol
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:25 am
by bigdaddycain
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....

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:34 am
by missfixit70
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

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:57 am
by flippa
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:13 am
by missfixit70
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.
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:15 am
by cheffy34
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:34 am
by flippa
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:44 am
by mellyarnold
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

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:56 pm
by missfixit70
Mason alarm can be bought straight from Dave Mason -
http://www.townace.com/ie/ietemga2.htm. -

MG, you beat me to it

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:06 pm
by haydn callow
Away in Devon in the Bongo at the moment. Will be on the case on my return home tomorrow.
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:51 am
by mikeonb4c
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?

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:01 am
by The Great Pretender
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.
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:07 am
by flippa
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:12 am
by mikeonb4c
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
