Advice on launch of new engine overheating monitoring device

[DMH]

Hi All

Would really appreciate your advice & insights on the foll:

I joined a 4x4 club last year and befriended quite the electronic wizard in one Nolan Duck. Nolan and his son, Travis, both elec eng fundi’s have created a device and it’s time to share it with the world!

They prefer the technical stuff and hate marketing, so I'd like to help them out wherever I can. What follows is pretty much an ad we've come up with - it details everything we could think of. Is there a place for such a device? Would you consider one yourself? Anything you'd like improved on/modified?

Here it is:

If you’re familiar with engine monitoring devices or have ever had the costly experience of repairing an engine, you’ll understand the need for the following:

An exceptionally well-priced engine overheating monitoring device (they wish to launch it for R450) that should be standard fitment on all vehicles.

This device can be set to work with any vehicle and provides an audible alarm to warn the driver when their engine is about to over heat. The device takes the temperature from the hot water exit on the engine head which ensures that the reading is reliable and constant.

Most vehicles do have OEM temperature sensors usually located within water pipes/hoses. This sensor is linked to the temperature gauge on the dashboard. The problem with the OEM sensor/gauge is that if the pipe bursts and water is lost, the sensor starts reading a lower temperature and the gauge needle drops! Even if the gauge reflects it correctly, there isn't an audible alarm and by the time you've noticed, it's too late (engine overheats in ~ 30-45 seconds).

After having had two VERY costly engine failures in my mum’s Land Rover Disco 2 (which this device would’ve prevented (one was a water pump failure, the other a radiator hose)) I had this device installed.

It has now been several months since installation and the device is working 100% and more importantly, my mum’s confidence in driving the Disco has gone up a 100%!

I’m busy installing devices in my Patrol and Hardbody and will soon feedback on that!

The launch price is a fraction of the cost of other monitoring devices. And a no-brainer i.t.o. safeguarding your vehicle and giving you peace of mind.

What are your thoughts on all this? Please feel free to critique/comment! :idea:

FAQ (so far)

1. Can this device be fitted to any vehicle?
Yes, it has been fitted successfully to all types of vehicles.

2. How does the sensor work?
The device uses a very accurate digital sensor that continuously measures the temperature, and can be customized for each vehicle.
The sensor directly measures the temperature of the head at cooling water exit. Most OEM systems measure radiator water temperature via a plastic fitting (poor thermal conductor); if a radiator hose bursts there is no water to conduct temperature to the sensor, and you will not necessarily see the indicated gauge temperature rise. Things now start costing a lot of money very quickly (30 – 60 seconds).

3. Does the device place a load on the battery when the vehicle is not running?
The device is only on when the engine is running and so has no drain on your battery.

4. How much of a load does it place on the battery?
The device draws 8mA while running and 20mA with the alarm on

5. What is the temperature range of the device?
The minimum temp setting is 85 C and maximum is 120 C (alarm preset is set in 5 degree C increments via a jumper). The usual operating temp. of a vehicle is ~ between 95C and 115C.

6. Could the sensor itself overheat? What is the max. temp it can handle?
The sensor can take up to around 150 degrees before it starts to melt but by this time you have been long warned and the sensor is the least of your problems.

7. Why is the device not boxed? Could this cause any problems? E.g. short circuiting if wet, etc?
In the interest of keeping costs as low as possible, a custom box for the device has not been considered. However, this can certainly be developed if required.
I.t.o. water ingress, the device has been submerged in water for 30 minutes and continued working. The sensor is fully sealed, so no shorting possible their either.

8. Is there any guarantee/warranty?
They are happy to put a 12 month guarantee on the device. Competitors don't seem to give any at all (from our research)

9. We are in the Durban area, could we bring our vehicle in for installation?
Unfortunately, this is not possible at this time. However, they are more than happy to discuss anything telephonically/via email and will certainly consider detailed step-by-step guides if there any enough requests.


11. Are there any indicators that the device is functioning?
Yes, the device emits 2 short beeps when you start the vehicle.
If the sensor fails, it emits 4 long beeps ( pause and repeat)
All is explained in the installation document.

12. Do you have an installation guide?
A one page installation guide that any DIY person should be able to follow can be viewed here :

( copy and past the URL into the address bar above if you cannot click on the link )

[Michael]

I think this is a great idea. No one looks at the heat gauge all the time when driving and you only know your car has over heated when it is too late.

There is one thing missing from all Nissans which I dont understand why and that is a water level sensor. Audi, VW, Mercedes, BMW and many others have made cars for many years with a simple water level sensor in the water reservoir. As soon as the reservoir is empty the car warns you..... why Nissan never implemented this I dont understand, you can never run your car without water with this feature.

Could this function be added as well?

[Tinus lotz]

Sounds good we will have a look on river trip ...

[bogeyman]

My Father owned an auto electrical workshop when I grew up and I spent most of the seventies working there after hours.
He serviced a lot of large truck fleets and he developed a system similar to the one described here.
It consisted of heat sensors fixed to the engine and an oil pressure sensor with a start delay to allow pressure to rise.
It was designed to use one circuit and did not need activation. When a fault was detected , the engine shut down.
We did not use the water outlet , as overheating with an airlock or faulty thermostat will fry the engine with cold water sitting at the outlet.
He eventually sold the idea to Conlog that changed to Controll Instruments and it was developed into a product that is now installed into new heavy vehicles.
It now combines electronic tacho and tracking systems and vehicle logs and is expensive.

There is a market for an affordable but rugged system.

The idea started with a mechanic that worked at putco and got fedup repairing overheated bus engines.
He then started installing a small copper tube from the radiator overpressure outlet to the area just above the driver accelerator foot.
When the engine started boiling , steam convinced the driver to stop or cook his foot.

[hugejp]

I'd be interested...

My vehicle is a daily drive used for work to different destinations & in different conditions every day.

The water level sensor would be valuable too.

Any "insurance" is a good idea to me.

Do you need guinea pigs???

[Silverfox]

Please can you tell me where to purchase this. Want two please.

[SJC]

What is the difference between this and a madman system?

[Picasso]

Hallo Tej

Just a follow up on that issue please.

Is this device in the meantime available, what does it cost and were can it be purchased ?

[hugejp]

X2