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Author: Subject: VW header tank wiring - ball type
Irony

posted on 16/8/12 at 01:41 PM Reply With Quote
VW header tank wiring - ball type

I have one of those VW (and most other VAG makes) ball type header tanks. It has on the top a electrical connection I assume is a water level sensor???

If the sensors there I might as well use it and put a light on the dash. Does anyone know if this is possible and is it simply a case of making a simple circuit with a lamp?

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Toprivetguns

posted on 16/8/12 at 08:34 PM Reply With Quote
A simple circuit with a lamp would work perfectly. Same circuit as your brake reservoir warning lamp.





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adithorp

posted on 16/8/12 at 09:58 PM Reply With Quote
It's not a float like many level sensors. It has 2 contacts and the circuit is completed by the coolant when the level is high enough. As a result a simple circuit puts the light on when the level is OK and off when low. Guess how I know? You need to do it with a relay.





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Irony

posted on 17/8/12 at 07:58 AM Reply With Quote
When you say I need a relay, is that because the light comes on when when the level is okay and it really needs to be the other way around?

I am trying to think of a way to wire it with a relay to reverse the on off of the bulb now.

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adithorp

posted on 17/8/12 at 08:11 AM Reply With Quote
Yes thats right.

You need to connect it through a relay that switches the main circuit on when the trigger feed goes off. There's a name for them but I can't remember it... switch over relay :? The ones with 5 terminals.





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daviep

posted on 17/8/12 at 08:16 AM Reply With Quote
You need to use a 5 pin relay and wire it so that when the relay is un energised the circuit is complete, please excuse my paint diagram (note you can switch +ve or earth it doesn't matter)



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Davie





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Irony

posted on 17/8/12 at 04:29 PM Reply With Quote
Cheers for the replies - thats perfect
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snowy2

posted on 18/8/12 at 09:44 AM Reply With Quote
dont mess about with two different supplies to the relay, pin 30 on the relay can be wired to pin 85 direct (link wire) and from 86 to the low level switch. pin 87 NOT 87a to be connected to your warning lamp......when the circuit is activated (i.e. the water level is low) the circuit will switch off and the pin 87 (normally closed) will light the lamp.

i assume you will be supplying the relay with an ignition switched supply.......


[Edited on 18/8/12 by snowy2]





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adithorp

posted on 18/8/12 at 09:53 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by snowy2
...you do not have to use a 5 pin relay for this job. a 4 pin relay will do just as well....

i assume you will be supplying the relay with an ignition switched supply.......

[Edited on 18/8/12 by snowy2]


Using a 4 pin relay will switch the light on when the level switch is closed (water level OK). On the VW ball type res' the switch is open when the level is low hence the sugestion to use a 5pin relay.





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snowy2

posted on 18/8/12 at 10:01 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
quote:
Originally posted by snowy2
...you do not have to use a 5 pin relay for this job. a 4 pin relay will do just as well....

i assume you will be supplying the relay with an ignition switched supply.......

[Edited on 18/8/12 by snowy2]


Using a 4 pin relay will switch the light on when the level switch is closed (water level OK). On the VW ball type res' the switch is open when the level is low hence the sugestion to use a 5pin relay.



yeah i had just posted when i realised my mistake and was in the process of editing it when you replied..........





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