low coolant alarm types? best / most reliable and easiet to install?

Hi Rod

thanks for info
GN

Mine has been in for 28000k of towing and hasnt leaked a drop Is in the top hose of a 100 ser

Hi
so are the units you are running the "in the hose" type or in between the hose and radiator tube type?

regards'GN

Cut the hose and put the joiner in
In the 100 it goes in the angled down piece just back from the radiator So it is about 50-70mm below top of coolant level.

Hi Rob S
are these units a low coolant alarm or a high temp alarm you put n the mortor somewhere?

regards
GN

Hi GN
I thought it went hand in hand no coolant the engine gets hot?

And yes you put the sensor some where on the engine usually the thermostat housing.
There are other factors to consider that can over heat the engine other than coolant lose.

IE
Broken fan belt
blocked or clogged radiator cooling fins
oil lose
dragging brakes
towing to heavy load up hills
radiator hoses sucking flat restricting flow
thermostat stuck closed
water pump failure

Gn,
Yep there are plenty of options now, and if you want to cover everything, do what Ozhumvee says above and fit both types, or a unit that alarms for both high temp and low level.

But like Rob, I'm a fan of the TM2 (high temp alarm) and have fitted 3 of them now. I liked the continuous temp readout, the fact that I didn't have to break into the cooling system, there is no risk of stray current stuffing the radiator, and like Rob says it covers anything that causes overheating.

After installing it on my daughter's 1Hz 80series, the TM2 rose to 100 degrees on the hill out of Adelaide. The temp gauge didn't move. We checked out the cooling system and the radiator was 60% blocked, the fins had some mud, and the thermostat was opening 5 degrees too late. We fixed all that and the temp says low now. Great bit of gear for $149.

Me three. I didn't like to cut into cooling system, but I like the probe for the some engines but not mine.

Phil I was amazed with the heat soak the engine got when you shut down for 5 min (go into a shop buy something return) then start up alarms going off all over the place, but never get that hot while moving even on the hardest drive I've done since fitting it.


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The gauge has now been screwed to duct, Velcro tape would not hold, but it was only temp to make sure i could see it OK... and I can

Cheers

Richard

Gday Richard,
GN has the same motor as we have - should have the same spare bolt hole in the cyl head. I have the probe in the same place as you have. My daughter's is on the bolt below it (on the alloy outlet) and I reckon she gets a quicker change of temperature.

Hi Rob S, Phil and Richard
thanks for the good info.
I too like the idea of not chopping into the cooling system, and the stray current has crossed my mind too.
The other reasons for high temps are also valid too.

I have been wanting a product to put onto a John Deere Gator 3cyl diesle but was too much stuffing around with the coolant level type i thought, so the temp alarm may be a good option there too.

is the hiugh temp / alarm annoying after the vehical has been sitting Richard?
Can this be overcome somehow?

What temp do you have the alarm set at?

Regards
'GN

Phil

Mine will run at 74-76 deg all day, may climb to 80 - 82 deg. on some harder stuff, and 90 deg when only stopped for a short time and drops back when run 10 - 20 sec.

I haven't driven the Troopy for over 7 weeks so can't remember what I set it to I think 90 deg.

I also like them as they can be used for other things not just coolant Temp.

Diff. gearbox/transfer, and in my game hydraulic oil temp..

Cheers

Richard

Hi Richard

Very interesting, the hydraulic idea apeals to us too. Better than hold hand on oil tank (if can)

What size is the unit itself?

How long is the standard cable and can you extend it or get longer types?

Surely the need to have coolant level alarm would not be required with a temp alarm?

Could there be a situation where the temp alarm would not warn you if there was a suddent / total coolant loss???

regards
GN

Ok Richard as u know i have one of these and have been looking at a temp gauge for Auto trans oil temp. Where would I put the sensor for that.

Have been looking at an Autometer electric oil temp gauge and probe for $58

Can get a threaded block to fit on the out line to the cooler for another $38

postage $39 which all up is less than the enginesaver model
All this from here

http://www.atlanticspeed.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=19&idproduct=1012


Cheers

GN

Q1 What size is the unit itself?

A1 The box section looking at the display face is W 82 mm x H 30 mm. A standard lid with mounting tabs adds 12 mm to each end.

Q2 is the high temp / alarm annoying after the vehicle has been sitting Richard?
Can this be overcome somehow?
A2 Yes - No if it goes off just set it a little higher, the paper work says find out the highest you can get the engine temp then set it 5 deg higher.

Q3 How long is the standard cable and can you extend it or get longer types?
A3 4m (12ft) Longer leads are available

Q4 Surely the need to have coolant level alarm would not be required with a temp alarm?
A4 I don't think so and nor does Toyota, but they fit a temp gauge.

Q5 Could there be a situation where the temp alarm would not warn you if there was a sudden / total coolant loss???
A5 I would say no, but I'm also not sure.

Check out there web site on the first post.

Regards

Richard

Graham

Q1 Where would I put the sensor for that?
A1 in or around the outlet from the transmission or at the inlet to the cooler, they will be the hottest spots.

the Auto Meter 5747 Phantom Series 2-1/16" Electric Oil Temperature Gauge
Temperature Gauge Range: 100°-250° is in Fahrenheit you will need a calculator or are you old enough? :-)

Most automotive instrument shops should have an adapter so you can get the probe in some where.

The thing as you know is the TM2 is adjustable and has an alarm, the main reason I fitted one, THE ALARM gauges are useless if you are not looking at them.

Just like the speedo, seconds before the cop pulls you over...

Regards

Richard

Yep Im old enough but am getting a metric one 5748M.

First hot day since I fitted gauge. 37 deg c in BK. on the way back to Perth gauge showed 85 - 87 deg c, was set, adjusted, and ran at "Took the Troopy for a run up Greenmount and it reached 83 deg. c so I've set it at 85 deg. c, and will see how it goes."

"24/05/2009 I have now set the alarm to 90 deg. c and on open country, Troopy by itself she is running at around 75 to 76 deg. c." (taken from blog)

All winter, avg 25 deg c so + 10 -15 deg c ambient = same on gauge, as gauge is showing head/block temp not Coolant Temp. interesting.. will keep notes.

Cheers

Richard

Hi StormyKnight

what are the dimensions of the unit?

regards GN

The display unit is wedge shaped....
Width is 105mm
Height is 24mm
Depth is 27mm

ideal to wedge between windscreen & dash or perhap above near rear view mirror

The control unit which you stick under the dash somewhere is a square box 75mm x 60mm x 25mm

I got my unit today, I have already bench tested it. It actually indicates yellow if below 50deg C without the buzzer, green above 50 & below the preset warning, red flashes at the warning temp with beeps & continuosly when 10 deg over the warning temp.

Cheers

If you choose a better point of measurement it can avoid the issue of measuring the coolant temperature rather than the actual engine temperature....

Yes exactly StormyKnight. In the case of my earlier failure the temperature sensor was positioned in the coolant at the top hose manifold.

With an after-market device (usually a thermistor) you have the option of positioning it elsewhere such as directly bolted to the head or block. This seems a "better point of measurement".