Board logo

header tank level sensor ?
FOZ500 - 1/3/13 at 08:51 PM

HI there its been a long time since i wrote a help subject.
as i'm car has been garaged up for the last year. But this year it will see the light of day again with a some mods
one of which is a new stainless steel header tank I've made.
which will replaced the old yellow xr2 tank. but what i need is a sensor that i can have with a low level led on the dash?
I know some car have them fitted but are they 12v or M'amp
can somebody help?

[Edited on 1/3/13 by FOZ500]

sky12042 - 1/3/13 at 09:29 PM

Try this

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/Float_Switch_FLSW

Andy

theprisioner - 1/3/13 at 09:40 PM

I fitted one to my Westie, I used an alloy header tank made for an early VW Golf MK2 .

http://www.rtecshop.com/shop/engine-upgrades/bailey-motorsport/bailey-alloy-header-tanks/bailey-alloy-header-tanks-vw/golf-en/bailey-alloy-header-tank -for-vw-golf-mk2-early-water-level-boss.html

They had a sensor in the top that was basically a screwed in plastic plug with a rubber seal and two ss probes. I used a 555 timer project board from Maplin and used it to drive the light on the dashboard. Unfortunately they do not appear to make the sensor any more.

However you might be able get the Bora level sensor:
http://www.allardaluminiumproducts.co.uk/allard-alloy-sphere-header-expansion-tank-mk4-golf-bora.html

I have a Ford Focus ST header tank on my new build and was wondering if I could do the same and put in a sensor. I could get Bryn Jones to copy the dimentions of the st tank and stick a sensor port in it.

britishtrident - 2/3/13 at 12:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sky12042
Try this

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/Float_Switch_FLSW

Andy


That exact same switch is available elsewhere on the web a lot cheaper, but everybody else selling them only claims a rated maximum operating temperature of 80c.
Car cooling systems normally work at up to 118c this switch might survive for months or a couple of years at that sort of temperature but I would expect the life to be limited.

An ebay trawl will show up lots of level switches some of them stainless and some are rated at higher temperatures.

However the best way to do it is not to use a float switch but use an off the shelf electronic module with two electrodes as sensors in in the tank. A quick ebay trawl brought up this

WATER LEAK DETECTOR MODULE - WATER TANK LEVEL SENSOR | eBay

theprisioner - 2/3/13 at 02:54 PM

The way you are suggesting is correct for me, adding unreliability I can do without. The trick is getting a waterproof/pressure proof means of sampling the coolant level resistance. VW MK2 had the right idea but where do you get that screwed boss only from Bailie I suspect.

FOZ500 - 2/3/13 at 08:53 PM

Thanks for the help
now you given me some ideas to follow.
You are right the C.B.S float tops out at 80c as i found the spec sheet on this.
So how C.B.S can rate it at 110c i have no idea.
I found this http://www.ebay.co.uk/23102f6329
its Stainless and rated to 125c
so probably go with this one. If i can fit it through the tank neck!!!!