Coolant alarm

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:48 pm

As a matter of interest, the only coolant leak I have had to date is where Phil (JAL) fitted the screws into the header tank. Easily fixed, but watch those screws folks

Thats the first time in 4 years and well over 6000 screws fitted into expansion tanks that a problem has been reported.......I can only assume the screw wasn't "pinched" up enough.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:54 pm

regarding the High Alarm add on kit......Peeps asked for it......we developed it and produced 20 for starters........3 were eventually sold and we ended up giving the rest away.......not viable .... but it would be easy for most to construct a simple "overflow" alarm into the tank overflow pipe...

I am looking into getting a batch of 10 or 20 produced but before going ahead I would want firm orders.
These will be charged at exactly cost price (no profit at all)
To fit one you MUST HAVE a Low Coolant Alarm already fitted as the High Alarm is a "add on" unit...i.e. useless on it's own
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by BigPanzer » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:14 pm

Haydn,

You are quite correct - one of the screws was not as tight as I would have liked. I took them both out and fitted new sealing washers as a precaution and made sure they were both properly tight (but not over tight) on refitting. No problem now. Having said that, something to keep an eye out for, particularly on a new installation carried out by a third party.

Peter
Last edited by BigPanzer on Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:19 pm

Well done....what do you mean by sealing washers.....none are required.....????
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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gasace
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by gasace » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:39 pm

I have fitted one of Haydn's low coolant alarms I have also done the mod to the temp gauge and on top of that I have one of Haydn's ialerts this is a very good indicator of actual temperature as well as an alert when the engine gets too hot.
When we were in France towing uphill the modified gauge went well into the high end, but the ialert told me the engine was below 100 deg. C so I kept going and all was well. Both devices have been a very good investment.

Cheers
John
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chipvan
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by chipvan » Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:57 pm

I have the high and low tm2 found it really usefull..how comes you dont sell high?
Think its a good thing to have on there
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:10 pm

chipvan wrote:I have the high and low tm2 found it really usefull..how comes you dont sell high?
Think its a good thing to have on there

I refer to my posts above !!
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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chipvan
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by chipvan » Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:27 pm

Got it.for some reason ny phone didnt load most of the page.can see it now.

Iam suprised it was not popular as it works well.
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by BigPanzer » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:09 pm

Haydn,

I was referring to the tag washers to which the wires are attached. One of the screw holes was through the tank just where the mould line is at the bottom left. The plastic on my tank is a bit thin and floppy there so I used a thin rubber washer the right size for the screw and about 7mm od. This was sealed with some steam sealant (bit like Hermatite red but less smelly), topped with a stainless washer the same od. and the screw refitted.
It worked well, so I did the other terminal screw the same way.

Hope that clarifies things

Peter
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:53 am

I am looking into getting a batch of 10 or 20 produced but before going ahead I would want firm orders.
These will be charged at exactly cost price (no profit at all)
To fit one you MUST HAVE a Low Coolant Alarm already fitted as the High Alarm is a "add on" unit...i.e. useless on it's own

O.K. I can get a batch of 15 produced if the demand is there.
The total cost delivered will be £48
REMEMBER....you must have a Low Coolant Alarm for these High Alarm add on's to work.

It's up to you now.....I need at least a dozen to pay up front and I will go ahead.
First thing to do is get a list going and when there are 12 on it I will proceed collecting payment...when that is in I will organise production...allow 3 weeks from that point.

I don't want to be caught as I was with the last batch or the Norma clamps
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by Northern Bongolow » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:56 am

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:03 pm

Bumping this up to try and get a positive response (or not)
If not, then the project will be binned for good.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by winchman » Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:13 pm

How would I benifit from the high alarm?
My low alarm arrived today thanks very much
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by haydn callow » Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:20 pm

I'll let Ady answer that one......he has experience of what it is going to warn you of and will give a unbiased answer
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Simon Jones
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Re: Coolant alarm

Post by Simon Jones » Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:07 am

I made my own high coolant alarm, but replaced it with one of Haydns from the original batch to add on to existing low coolant alarm. I would definitely recommend getting one as it can warn you of pressure in the system caused by air being drawn in via a leak, or in the more serious instance of head gasket failure resulting in combustion gases in the coolant. Anyone who has had problems with coolant bubbling out the overflow pipe would be grateful for one of these.
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