Why fit a Mason alarm ?

[ChrisI]

This is sort of in the same vein as the "why fit a coolant alarm thread" (My answer - cos it's very,very sensible)

I've just purchased a Mason alarm, and I know it will do what it says on the tin, so to speak - alarm squeals = too hot

My question is, then what ? - pull over immediately = no air flow through radiators, engine bay temp increases to to ambient heat in engine

Back off throttle and gently slow down, putting less strain on engine, yet keeping air flow through the rads


Or - have a manual overide switch for radiatior fan and scavinger fan, which allows them to be switched on manually when alarm squeals


All suggestions gladly accepted

[scanner]

My question is, then what ? - pull over immediately = no air flow through radiators, engine bay temp increases to to ambient heat in engine

No

Back off throttle and gently slow down, putting less strain on engine, yet keeping air flow through the rads

Yes

Or - have a manual overide switch for radiatior fan and scavinger fan, which allows them to be switched on manually when alarm squeals

Possibly

[motorwizard]

Like any gauge or instrument you must understand why it is there and what it does. For example if you fit an ammeter then you are monitoring the charge rate. For most of the time it will show a modest charge rate, if you have been stationary for some time with lights and accessories on then you have discharged the battery and you will expect to see a higher charge rate when you start up. If you see a high charge rate in the middle of a long run then it is unexpected and needs to be checked.
In the same way if you are on a steady drive on the flat and the alarm bleeps then it needs to be investigated but if you are near the top of a long hill and the temperature gauge has risen slowly before the alarm goes off then it is expected and the alarm will stop as you descend. Sometimes I have switched on the interior heater full on when climbing in the Alps. I could set the alarm a little higher. When towing a large yacht the alarm does not go off but if I stop for a break for a few minutes it will sound when I restart for a while. I fitted the alarm before the Bongo trip to Poland and it went off several times. I have since fitted a new radiator, hoses and water pump but the temperature gauge reads exactly the same. In short worry about the unexpected.

[mikeonb4c]

Like any gauge or instrument you must understand why it is there and what it does. For example if you fit an ammeter then you are monitoring the charge rate. For most of the time it will show a modest charge rate, if you have been stationary for some time with lights and accessories on then you have discharged the battery and you will expect to see a higher charge rate when you start up. If you see a high charge rate in the middle of a long run then it is unexpected and needs to be checked.
In the same way if you are on a steady drive on the flat and the alarm bleeps then it needs to be investigated but if you are near the top of a long hill and the temperature gauge has risen slowly before the alarm goes off then it is expected and the alarm will stop as you descend. Sometimes I have switched on the interior heater full on when climbing in the Alps. I could set the alarm a little higher. When towing a large yacht the alarm does not go off but if I stop for a break for a few minutes it will sound when I restart for a while. I fitted the alarm before the Bongo trip to Poland and it went off several times. I have since fitted a new radiator, hoses and water pump but the temperature gauge reads exactly the same. In short worry about the unexpected.

Excellent post

Personally, I'm a fan (no pun intended) of over-ride switches for the fans (I have one on my scavenger, for passenger comfort) but have not fitted one to my rad fans as I don't have an engine temp alarm allowing me to use them appropriately.

[stilldesperate]

Don't the radiator fans kick in when the engine warms up over normal anyway?

SD

[mikeonb4c]

Don't the radiator fans kick in when the engine warms up over normal anyway?

SD

Yes provided they do their job properly, is my guess. But I just love switches and being a control freak

[mikexgough]

Well Radiator fans are the follow up (Part 2) of "How the Cooling System works"........ and could be an interesting debate....