low coolant alarm

Psymon wrote: Got all the bits now, will be putting together a prototype during the week

Cool - got a fully cleaned out expansion tank in the parts shed already!

adamelphick wrote:

Psymon wrote: Got all the bits now, will be putting together a prototype during the week

Cool - got a fully cleaned out expansion tank in the parts shed already!

Was that you volunteering to be a Guinea pig ?

Psymon wrote:

adamelphick wrote:

Psymon wrote: Got all the bits now, will be putting together a prototype during the week

Cool - got a fully cleaned out expansion tank in the parts shed already!

Was that you volunteering to be a Guinea pig ?

Think that might be a clue, can't be after a mug cos he has one already :woohoo:

bryan young wrote:

Psymon wrote:

adamelphick wrote:

Psymon wrote: Got all the bits now, will be putting together a prototype during the week

Cool - got a fully cleaned out expansion tank in the parts shed already!

Was that you volunteering to be a Guinea pig ?

Think that might be a clue, can't be after a mug cos he has one already :woohoo:

Haha moi?

Have made up the detection circuit, it is a bit over sensitive in detecting changes in capacitance at the mo, so much so the led goes on and off depending how close i get to the circuit, some tweaking required.

Circuit in action



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Once this part is reliable a delay will be put in before the alarm triggers

Gross overkill.
You can make a delay timer for a few pounds.
All you need is 1 transistor, 1 capacitor and two resistors.
Alternatively buy a 0 to 60 sec 12v delay timer from Ebay at around £7
Also no need for noisey buzzers. Even your low brake fluid ( which is much more vital) only has a warning light!
Thing is put your warning light where it can be seen not at your feet where some have put it. I put mine in with the other warning lights. Green means coolant ok, changes to red on alarm.

I would like to know how many people have actually had a positive experience from using a low coolant alarm :yesnod:

Have you got a idiots guide

Softly~Softly wrote: I would like to know how many people have actually had a positive experience from using a low coolant alarm :yesnod:

Loads especially for water leaks

Really Ben, have you got a link I can look at

I just seem to see people raving about them, but never seem to see people saying how it saved their car

I would recommend fitting a low coolant alarm to every MGF/TF. The coolant system is so complicated and potential leaks are mainly hidden away.
If the first you know about loss of coolant is the water temp gauge going up or steam out the back of the car, it's probably too late to prevent damage to your engine.

ianovic wrote: Thing is put your warning light where it can be seen not at your feet where some have put it. I put mine in with the other warning lights. Green means coolant ok, changes to red on alarm.

to the T-Bar Ian.

How's about a how to guide to accompany your tip? Any other pics would be welcome.