Interesting gadget

[haydn callow]

Just had a email with a link to this little gadget.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FORD- ... 27afdd2618

[mikexgough]

I saw this on evilbay about 4 weeks ago and it was snapped up very fast, I see it isn't/wasn't a one off............so...............Anyone seen or got one?....... it's a good price for the cost conscious, worth a punt for £50.......inc your delivery....... I wonder how long it has been tested/used for...? ......
If I was going to sell something like that connected to the cooling system, I would have tested it personally for at least 12 months or so to be sure of being able to give full support and know any shortcomings and experienced any failures, so they can be ironed out before any sales were made....... but that's me..... Looks quite well made going by the photo's, all the same.

[haydn callow]

My concerns with this would be the quality of the plastic and the effect of the hot coolant...( we use expensive "glass filled nylon" ) Also the extra "joints" being introduced into the system. But most of all the chance of introducing air into the system and we all know what that can lead to.
He did indeed sell one...but did you note the price it went for ??
Still....each to his own....

[rita]

Checked feed back,they sold one for £20.00..

[helen&tony]

Hi
To be fair, I should say I've seen Heath Robinson machines that are far less complicated
Cheers
Helen

[daveblueozzie]

dont think i will bother , looks a bit iffy for me.

[mikeonb4c]

Can't make out what it actually is. Anyone able to explain

[wormey]

I would like to have a real look at it, I wonder if any one on here has one.

[mikexgough]

I would like to have a real look at it, I wonder if any one on here has one.

me too..... appears to me to be.......I stand to be corrected..... a separate chamber with either a level probe or a float in it....it also looks like it could be a "stock" part for another vehicle IMHO.....that has been adapted

[apole]

Looks like a chamber that then has a float valve in it. When level of coolant drops, the float drops and triggers a switch that in turn triggers the alarm.

Many modern cars have something similar but built into the header tank already, this looks to have taken that idea and set it up in an external tank.

[missfixit70]

I would like to have a real look at it, I wonder if any one on here has one.

me too..... appears to me to be.......I stand to be corrected..... a separate chamber with either a level probe or a float in it....it also looks like it could be a "stock" part for another vehicle IMHO.....that has been adapted

I'd tend to agree, I just don't like the look of that pipework, as already mentioned, a load more leaks waiting to happen? it's difficult to see how it's actually connected in with the system & flow & how reliable the level monitoring would be. I suppose it could be a cheaper option than Haydn's LCA, but I don't think it'd be for me.

[rwill19050]

Why all the extra gubbins
I made a cheap electronic water level alarm unit (loads of circuits available on the net, and they really are simple)
Two self tapping stainless steel screws into the side of the header tank, with a couple of ring terminals to connect the wires.
One very cheap buzzer from Maplin, one LED and a press to open switch (to test the system is working)
It has twice warned me of 'low' level water, so I am happy, and no extra lenghts of pipe.
Don't think the idea of a float switch is that desirable as by their very nature they are fairly delicate things (not counting a water level switch for a steam boiler of course ) , and what about the heat?

Later Edit:
Just noticed Hadon's reference to glass filled nylon, so I assume his uses a float, and I don't think anyone had complained of it not working.
That will teach me not to be a clever clogs

[haydn callow]

The glass filled nylon bits are not used in the Bongo Kits...we use them in most other kits as In hose sensors or to replace the standard Bleed plugs.
We defo do not use floats and never will....IMHO they are a failure waiting to happen.

You say you use a couple of SSscrews and a small circuit....I would be interested in knowing the Voltage and current going into the coolant.