owelly
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 09:26 PM |
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Electronicsy guys??
Maybe because I'm a tight-arsed Yorkshireman or maybe because I like the idea of making my own......
Bongo Buses like the one I'm running and like the new one I've just imported from Japan, have an inherant problem. Dozens are written off
due to coolant loss or engine overheating. The two are clearly linked and usually, the engine overheats because the coolant runs off or the engine
overheats, pressurises the crumbling rubbish quality rubber hoses and they fail, causing the coolant loss. The first you know about it is when your
Bongo goes pop. If your keen-eyed, then you will notice the temperature gauge drop as the coolant gets out and then rise slightly as the head starts
to overheat but with no water in the system to make the temp sender hot. Whatever.........
You can buy one of these:
http://www.bongoforum.co.uk/factsheets/TM2_FINAL.pdf
But they cost money. Cheaper than a new head or engine but still not cheap. Remember, I'm a Yorkshireman!
And there's this to go with the above:
http://www.bongoforum.co.uk/factsheets/enginesaver_coolant_alarm.pdf
What I'd like to make, is a little unit that has a temp sensor bolted to the head, feeding several LEDs to depict the head temperature and
another sensor to fit to the header tank to illuminate two LEDs to depict the alarm is working with enough water in and a flashing one to warn of
impending doom.
Can you guys come up with anything??
Cheers in advance.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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carpmart
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 10:16 PM |
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Forgive me for being simple  but why not fix the problem and put new silicone hoses on the vehicle?
Your solution is just diagnostics of the problem when it inevitably happens, new hoses is a fix! 
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 10:25 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by carpmart
Forgive me for being simple but why not fix the problem and put new silicone hoses on the vehicle?
Your solution is just diagnostics of the problem when it inevitably happens, new hoses is a fix!
Ditto.
Solve the problem, not the symptom....
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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turbodisplay
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 10:37 PM |
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as above best bet is fix the problem. If you still want to have a warning i think a pressure sensor, as well as a temp sensor in the coolant would
work.
A leak will result in a loss of coolant pressure.
Darren
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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owelly
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 10:40 PM |
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If only it was that simple....
I fitted new hoses to my current Bongo but the rear heater matrix sprang a leak. And whilst I was under the car fixing it, I noticed the steel pipes
to the rear of the vehicle were also corroded. I replaced them with copper but there are loads more rigid and flexible pipes around the engine bay, up
inside the side panels and under the van that look to be ok but so did the matrix............
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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gazza285
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 11:04 PM |
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Why not just fit a coolant level senser? I can't remember which motor, but either my Berlingo or Volvo has one, probably the Volvo though.
DO NOT PUT ON KNOB OR BOLLOCKS!
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 11:12 PM |
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Cheap panel mount digital thermometer? You could at least measure head temp with that.
Or use a temperature switch as BT suggested a while back?
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 27/11/09 at 11:30 PM |
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Or get rid of the rusty old thing and replace with something a little more reliable!
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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RK
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 03:56 AM |
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Ha! I ordered 10 of those NO switches as BT suggested, set for 100c. Can't wait to install it and get rid of my water temp gauge.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 07:16 AM |
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Have a look at British Tridents overheating warning system , he posted it a few weeks ago . Note to myself, must learn how to put in link.!
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r1_pete
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 08:32 AM |
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The ford zetec has a casting temperature sensor screwed into the head, I dont think anyone uses them, I binned my 2 or you could have had them, but
someone on here should have one you can have cheap as a start....
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02GF74
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 11:45 AM |
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simples - what you are asking about is a comparator circuit.
the temp sender is effectively a resistor whose resistance varies with temperature.
you would wire up comparator circuit so one input is the sender and other is fixed value resistor, the resistance being equivalent to a specific
tepperatorye.
once the sender resistance is above/or below (depends on how you wire the circuit) the comparator will flip output so can light up a lamp, otherwise
lamp is off.
you need to calibrate the sender to know what resistance corresponds to what temperature.
pretty sure you can get 4 comparors in a 14 pin DIL psackage so can with just 4 resistors, monitor 4 different temps.
if you need help with the circuit, and then making it, let me know.
maplins make
this but it is rather pricey and may not work without modification with your sender.
here you are:
This circuit can sequentially indicate 4 separate voltage levels. The voltages are determined
by the values of resistors R1 through R5 arranged in a simple voltage divider circuit.
[Edited on 28/11/09 by 02GF74]
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BenB
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 12:15 PM |
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Easy peezy. Couple of thermistors, each as the top half of a potential divider to give a voltage proportional to temperature and some comparators and
job's a good 'un. Simplest option for the flashing red is led is just to buy a flashing led....
Total cost = £10.
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greglogan
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 04:31 PM |
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Owelly
you have one of the most questionable tastes in vehicles that I have ever come across. Just don't make me read about the Bongo ic PPC -
please!!!
Anyway, have a lookat the link below. I've use these before and with a bit of work, you can have it trigger a lamp/buzzer via a relay when
certain temperature limits are exceeded. Hope this helps
Greg.
Tempy linky thingy
Women are meant to be loved, not understood.
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owelly
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| posted on 28/11/09 at 10:53 PM |
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Cheers guys.
I'll ahve a crack at building the comparator thingy. I have my slobering iron out anyway.........
And what's wrong with my taste in vehicles???
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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