Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2018 02:29:19 +0000
Reply-To: steve meassick <stevem@TDHVAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: steve meassick <stevem@TDHVAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Audible Coolant alarm opinions
In-Reply-To: <ABA98073-D1A0-45A4-957F-6669A322194F@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
I have uploaded the circuit to TheSamba. Here are links to the circuit diagram:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1752294
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1752293
The time delay relay is a NE555 based relay that is available for less than $10 from Amazon:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1752293
The way the circuit works is that a timer is activated when the switched power of the ignition is turned on. After a delay, which I set for about 20 seconds, the relay of the time delay switches from its normally closed to normally open position applying power to the common of a second relay. If the output of the alternator is energized, the second relay is active and no power goes to the buzzer. If the output of the alternator is either low, or open (broken wire), the second relay in not active and the buzzer sounds.
Steve
________________________________
From: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, March 2, 2018 2:07:39 PM
To: steve meassick
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Audible Coolant alarm opinions
Steve
I Like Your idea about a "No Alternator & H2O Pump" warning device but Ideally
it would be good to have That + an Over Temp Attention Getter as there are other than
No Flow that can cause an OverHeat ~
ORR ~ DeanB
It might if You would post more info on how You did Yours ~
On 2 Mar , 2018, at 6:28 AM, steve meassick wrote:
> There is another fundamental problem with the GoWesty alarm. It senses the coolant temperature at the sensor, but the problem is that the sensor is located in the thermostat housing. The problem arises when there coolant flow stops, most likely due to the fan belt failing. The temperature at the sensor will respond very slowly because there is a lack of flow from the engine.
>
> Thus, you also want an alarm that goes off when there is no coolant flow. The way I did it is to use the fact that the alternator runs off the same belt as the coolant pump. I built a little circuit the monitors the alternator voltage when the ignition is on. I also put an initial delay in it so that it does not go off when the ignition key is turned but before the engine is running. The idea is that if this alarm goes off, you can quickly pull over and stop to check things out before damage is done to the engine. If the failure was not the fan belt and the coolant pump is still operating, you can still drive the van.
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Gene P
> Sent: Thursday, March 1, 2018 11:35 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Audible Coolant alarm opinions
>
> Adding another read – the current description of GoWesty’s coolant alarm, which they call a “Coolant Temp Alarm Kit” clearly states it does not warn you if your coolant level is low, only about overheating. Mike I can’t say what set yours off, but you’ve got it backwards on what GoWesty is selling now.
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Michael Magnani
> Sent: Thursday, March 1, 2018 9:54 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Audible Coolant alarm opinions
>
> Hi Eric,
> No, the alarm doesn’t warn you about temperature. Only coolant level. In my case, the alarm went off because I was in the middle of a hose replacement and had drained out all of the coolant.
> Mike M
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Mar 1, 2018, at 7:56 PM, Eric Caron <eric.caron@ICLOUD.COM> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Michael,
>>
>>
>> Michael does the alarm do more then tell you when the coolant is too hot? I was wondering why it went off for you?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Eric Caron
>>
>>
>> On Mar 1, 2018, at 21:54, Michael Magnani <mfmagnani@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>>
>> I’ve had my GW audible alarm for about a year now. Very straightforward installation instructions. Lots of peace of mind. It actually alerted me when I was replacing my coolant hoses and turned on my ignition switch for some unrelated reason. I had never heard that sound before. It was a couple of seconds before I realized what it was.
>> Mike M
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Mar 1, 2018, at 5:47 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>>>
>>> This GoWesty product also interested me. About 10 years ago I was happily driving down the freeway from Austin to Corpus Christi; broken V-belt (alternator and water pump in my 1.9 wasserboxer) produced lots of red lights on instrument cluster and steam in rear view mirror; pulled off immediately as soon as I saw these warning signals of death. (Had an extra belt; had water; got 'er done.)
>>>
>>> But....I didn't know how long the red lights were on! Was it 10 seconds, 1 minute, more?? Again, was just kinda mesmerized by the highway, not focused on instrument cluster.
>>>
>>> At the time, I queried The List if there was any kind of sensor to AUDIBLY alert the driver of a bad situation happening.
>>> Well...now there is. For a fair price. Good job GoWesty.
>>> RichSan Diego
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Eric Caron <eric.caron@ICLOUD.COM>
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 1, 2018 5:16 PM
>>> Subject: Audible Coolant alarm opinions
>>>
>>> Hi listers,
>>>
>>> I scanned the GW sale email and noticed the audible coolant temperature alarm. As a blind owner in the passenger seat I thought this might give me some insurance as I can listen for it no matter who is driving my van.
>>>
>>> Anyone have experience with the unit. Is it a install I could expect is pretty easy and doesn’t compromise the integrity of my instrument panel?
>>> I can get speed from my GPS, coolant warning from this. I can pretty much hear the speed of my engine revs and guess my tachometer. If I get a audible oil temp and presure indicator I could keep track of my motor from the passenger seat with my eyes closed.
>>>
>>> So anyone have experience with the unit?
>>>
>>> Eric Caron
>>> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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