auto low coolant alarm sensors and electrolysis - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Jbates58
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2016, 11:53:52 pm
content: hi all.i am wanting to install a coolant level sensor like the Redarc or engine saver unit in my new motor as a safe guard.from what i can tell, there are a few different ones out there like the redarc and the engine saver unitsthe redarc uses AC power and the engine save uses DC. and most of the other units i have found are also using AC. i am after some info as to whats better, and what wont cause any un-needed damage to the rest of the cooling system and my motor.i have read that the DC will work better as it should erode the anode away (makes sence.) however, i cant find any info on in the sensor is the sacrificial anode.and i have read that using AC will make hydrogen and another explosive gas, so i dont realy want to make my radiator and motor into a bomb per-se (even though there is a pressure cap that should vent it. but still.any input?Jason

author: KMoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 04:45:18 pm
content: Is this for the radiator cooling of an engine? Is this to go in the coolant reservoir?"i have read that the DC will work better as it should erode the anode away (makes sence.) however, i cant find any info on in the sensor is the sacrificial anode."That doesn't make sense unless maybe one electrode is a metal tank and the other electrode is in the liquid to be erroded.The AC-drive ones alternate the charge on the electrodes so there is no net erosion. Can you post a link to the DC one?Ken

author: Brutte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 04:59:47 pm
content: Quote from: Jbates58 on December 28, 2016, 11:53:52 pmCould you give some reference? Why would someone install an auxiliary coolant level sensor, be it AC or DC? Is it for some kind of rodent control? Mind most of us live in cities so we do not have many interactions with wilderness. I have heard some animals eat HV cables but never heard there are beasts that drink a glycol based solution and an extra coolant level control is needed..

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 09:51:33 pm
content: QuoteThis is unclear, as the redarc.com.au site replies with "not found"It seems to be an Australian thing, advertised by a "Coolant Dundee" named Ian Callinan.The functionality evades me, but perhaps the OP can provide more details.

author: Jbates58
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 11:58:29 pm
content: hi allyes, this is for a vehicle radiator.the sensor basically (well to my understanding,) passes a small current and voltage through the coolant in the system, and if the sensor looses conductivity, then it sets off an alarm.Engine saver (Uses DCpower) (this is the main site, there are links down the bottom, but there is some info on the front page about the product) -http://www.enginesaver.com.au/redarc (Uses AC Power)-https://www.redarc.com.au/low-coolant-alarmthere are a couple of others, but these seems to be the most recommended units.i am just wanting to protect my new motor from damage if i lose coolant, as it cost a fortune to build it.Jason

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2016, 08:14:08 pm
content: What vehicle is this, you might already have a water low sensor in it, though some are notoriously poor at telling you the engine is about to go nuclear.

author: Jbates58
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2016, 10:13:44 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 30, 2016, 08:14:08 pmno, it dosent. i know this, so im wanting to add one.but its a nissan patrol, 2006 ZD30. that i have done an engine conversion to and re-wired most of the electrics.Jason

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2016, 11:08:27 pm
content: Quote from: Brutte on December 29, 2016, 04:59:47 pmtoo much would kill them, but it is supposed to to have a nice sweet taste

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2017, 02:16:51 pm
content: VW and Audi use a two electrode sensor in the expansion tank bottle and have done for years. I'm not sure if they use AC or DC but I suspect DC. I would be inclined to try to copy their design to avoid having to re-invent the wheel. Maybe you can even use their sensor also.