Rap for Low water alarm
Submitted: Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 09:51
ThreadID:
48631
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5099
Replies:
7
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Member - Brian H (QLD)
After I made enquiries about this product on here I ended up getting one and installing. Initially I had teething problems but will say that was INSTALLER error. No problem at all with the product. I now carry my
sign (from Friday funnies)
My trip down south at about
Miles and punching along the hwy this alarm snaps me to attention, so pull over (another story) check everything and find the top rear radiator hose clamp was slowly unwinding and a slow leak had started. Out comes the lock tight, clamp tightened, reservoir filled.
So I can highly recommend one it may be the saving of a cooked motor.
The product is Engine Saver Low
Water Alarm, they are a advertiser on this site. I feel a rap should be given of a great product.
No affiliation just a happy customer :)
Brian
Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 11:49
Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 11:49
You can add another happy customer here too Brian.
Cheers, trevor.
AnswerID:
256920
Reply By: Footloose - Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 12:02
Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 12:02
Best thing after sliced bread :))
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256922
Reply By: Member - Tour Boy (NSW) - Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 13:28
Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 13:28
Excellent rap from me too, and the after sales service is as it should be...great.
AnswerID:
256930
Reply By: George (NT) - Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 18:26
Sunday, Aug 12, 2007 at 18:26
I was so pleased with miine in my gu that i have put in backhoe very happy
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256951
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:48
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:48
I don't get it - their website says "If the coolant level drops due to a split hose, a stone through the radiator, a faulty pump seal
or simply because the radiator cap wasn't replaced properly this device is designed to warn you."
How is a sensor in the top hose better than the sensor in the block.
If you lose
water suddenly then there won't be any
water to heat the sensor in the top hose. The engine will keep on heating the block so the sensor on the block is more likely to give a warning after catastrophic
water loss.
AnswerID:
257033
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 12:38
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 12:38
Mike, I think you're on the wrong track here.
The Low
Water Alert has nothing whatsoever to do with TEMPERATURE. It's all to do with the presence of
water ........or rather the LACK of
water.
The alarm sounds and a large red LED glows, as soon as the sensor in the top radiator hose senses the lack of
water. The temp gauge or any sensor related to temperature, would not be affected for some extra time.
If you ain't got one mate; please don't knock them. I have one and it alerted me to a problem that I wouldn't otherwise have known about.
FollowupID:
518183
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 14:18
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 14:18
Many people here don't and never will have Electronic Rust Protection Systems, but they have no hesitation in telling people not to waste money on them.
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518189
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 11:06
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 11:06
You can buy the parts MUCH more cheaply.
Buzzer - $3.00
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AB3452
Overtemperature switch 100deg - $4.45
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ST3836
Flashing LED - 12 volt - $1.70
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZD1965
If you want RELIABILITY then buy two of everything and put in a fully duplicated system - still WAY cheaper.
AnswerID:
257039
Follow Up By: trouper - Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 at 11:22
Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 at 11:22
Mike, can you tell me where to attach the switch for the audible alarm and the wiring details....hope it's not too much trouble
regards
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518336
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 at 21:15
Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 at 21:15
Find a fused 12 volt Acc feed e.g. the Car Radio - if the fuse blows you will notice.
Connect this to the + side of the Buzzer and 12 volt LED.
Connect the other side of the Buzzer and LED to the Temperature Switch.
Connect the other side of the Temperature switch to the engine block.
Mounting of the Temperature Sensor is critical. Remember the source of heat is the cylinder head so it should be mounted close to it, but away from the exhaust manifold. The
water flow normally keeps the head cooled, but if the
water level drops or
water flow reduces or the engine puts out excessive, the head temperature will rise abnormally.
It's normal for head temperature to rise above 100 degrees when the engine is turned off, because there is no more cooling
water flow but the inside of the cylinder is still very high.
FollowupID:
518470
Follow Up By: trouper - Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 12:55
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 12:55
Yeah thanks Mike appreciate the info you supplied. Will fit one of these sensors as it certainly saves loking at the gauges constantly. Cant understand why its not standard as it is on outboard boats. Anyway thanks again
Regards Jeff
FollowupID:
518775
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 13:04
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 13:04
Amazing, isn't it. They have a Buzzer that tells you your headlights are on but NO-ONE seems to have a buzzer that tells you your engine is about to be damaged by overheating.
And then they put the Engine temperature sensor away from the head so that if the
water level drops, it's guarranteed that the sensor won't detect the rise in temperature of the head !
Seems a classic case of "not fit for purpose"
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 14:13
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 14:13
The more I think about this, there is NO WAY I would install one of these systems - it actually increases the chances of an engine failure.
You have to cut the Radiator hose and install a pipe, so you now have two additional clamps that could fail (like in the original post) as
well the possibility of the sensor pipe failing.
Any Reliability Engineer will tell you that you have reduced the reliability of the system.
On my next vehicle I'll be installing the audible engine overtemperature alarm using the parts listed in my msg above. It will warn me of ANY reason the engine gets above normal temperature, whether it's due to
water loss, radiator clogging, fan failure etc.
I have no idea why cars have all sorts of diagnostics, but you have to actually look at the Gauge to notice if there is any overheating
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian H (QLD) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 17:56
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 17:56
Mike,
Thanks for your opinion and where and how to get it cheaper BUT I was complimenting a product I felt deserved a rap heaven know how many get trashed on forums.
This product warned me EARLY my temp gauge NEVER moved. I found the problem and fixed it, topped my reservoir up (which took bugger all) and I was away, no damage. I wonder how long it would have taken the temp gauge to register and me to pick it up before any untold damage was done.
As you say you will never ever use one that's up to you and is fine, I do, and many other do, and are happy with the product.
As for the rust thingie not going there on this thread.
Thanks for you input
Brian
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian H (QLD) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:02
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:02
Mike,
You said
"You have to cut the Radiator hose and install a pipe, so you now have two additional clamps that could fail (like in the original post) as
well the possibility of the sensor pipe failing".
Yes this is true I cut the hose BUT it was not these fittings that let go it was the rear one an original one not holding the sensor AT all.
And as I said it was human error
MINE and was not the product it just pointed out my error. hmmmmmm kinda what its supposed to do.
Thanks
Brian
FollowupID:
518231
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:06
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:06
. . . then I suggest you leave Reliability Analysis to those understand the basics of it.
FollowupID:
518233