Low Coolant Alarm

[tonnee]

Hi

I am about to order one of the "Low coolant alarms" and wondered if I should order the "Combination TM2" instead then I am fully covered for any mishap ?

Advice welcome

Thanks

Tony

[missfixit70]

Being as the standard unmodified temp gauge on the bongo is damped down so that it sits at 11 oclock from @55 degrees to over 100 degrees, it'd be a good idea to fit sumat to give you a useful indication of what's actually going on temperaturewise IMO. you could also mod the standard alarm as well to resensetize it to (instructions are on a link on Haydn's site) or fit a Mason alarm which does the same thing, as well as gives you a settable temp alarm.

[mister munkey]

Nothing will cover you for any mishap - there are just too many variables but, as Kirsty says, most outcomes can be at least guided by a LCA & a modded or Mason'd guage.

The TM2 does a great job but the 1st option is a budget choice.

[missfixit70]

Also worth seeing if Haydn's started making the hi level add on to the low coolant alarm again, it gives you a warning if there's an airlock in the coolant for whatever reason, usually before the temp goes up enough to trigger an alarm as well. Saved my bacon at least once.
As MM says, nothing is foolproof, half of the battle is understanding what the alarms are telling you, & even if you react in the right way (switching off the engine is not always the right answer) the damage could already have been done, but fitting monitoring & alarms MAY give you a better chance of getting a big repair bill.

[tonnee]

OK I shall give him a call tomorrow and see what he suggests and also look into the mason alarm

[tonnee]

so the budget choice would be a LCA and a Mason Alarm then ?

[missfixit70]

Or something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Therm ... 56451f616b - although accuracy may not be fantastic
Lots of options - http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=wate ... 86.c0.m359
or go for Haydn's TM2/LCA combo which is built into one unit.
The choice is yours

[tonnee]

haha now you have given me far to many choices

[Velocette]

haha now you have given me far to many choices

Thing is if you decide to get a TM2 later you will wish you got the combined one. Mine had a LCA already and I have now installed a separate TM2. They would have been nice all in one unit.

[jaylee]

Or something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Therm ... 56451f616b - although accuracy may not be fantastic
Lots of options - http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=wate ... 86.c0.m359
or go for Haydn's TM2/LCA combo which is built into one unit.
The choice is yours

Good shout on the first link Kirsty...! However.. ( & i don't like doing this..)
"Operating Temperature -10 to 60C"

It may need to operate at a higher temperature?? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/50-150-LCD-Temper ... 3a63b7444e

Slap me if i'm wrong!

[roofraisers]

I believe if you read the specification correctly it states:-

Temperature range external probe -31*C +125*C

Physical/Environmental operating temperature -10*C +60*C

This suggests to me that the temperature measuring range for the gauge are the top figures & the ambient air temperature in which the gauge will operate are the bottom ones.

Nigel.

[jaylee]

I believe if you read the specification correctly it states:-

Temperature range external probe -31*C +125*C

Physical/Environmental operating temperature -10*C +60*C

This suggests to me that the temperature measuring range for the gauge are the top figures & the ambient air temperature in which the gauge will operate are the bottom ones.

Nigel.

Damn! Cheers Nigel.. The funny thing is, i have seen this one before & thought i couldn't do the job..?

(I tend to scroll to the bottom of any page first when browsing & weigh up the cons before the pro's!)

Sorry Kirsty..

[tonnee]

I think for the time being I will undampen the temp gauge and get one of these thermometers, I always keep an eye on levels anyway even on my other car so the Bongo will be no different.

and an LED gauge will look cool too

[rita]

I think for the time being I will undampen the temp gauge and get one of these thermometers, I always keep an eye on levels anyway even on my other car so the Bongo will be no different.

and an LED gauge will look cool too

This might be worth a punt.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Water-Lev ... 27ba1319a2

[Poohbear]

I think for the time being I will undampen the temp gauge and get one of these thermometers, I always keep an eye on levels anyway even on my other car so the Bongo will be no different.

and an LED gauge will look cool too

IMHO If I was only going to do one thing it would be the LCA. If you have a slight leak from a hose or anywhere else on the cooling system the LCA will detect it well before any signs of overheating and you then have the opportunity to repair / replace and continue on your way. By the time you get an indication of raised temperatures / overheating it may be too late