Coolant Sight Glass

[mark99]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Gardner-Bronze-Coolant-Sight-Glass-LW-L2-LK-/151853670954?hash=item235b2f222a

 

 

I've never seen one of these before. I have a sight glass on the header tank.

[Split Pin]

Its not a level sight gauge, as you would have on a tank, its a flow sight gauge and is fitted in line onto the top rail outlet before a tee piece and taps which control the coolant flow on engines fitted with reciprocating piston pumps, also used with the gear pump that is also currently listed.

Although that looks to be flanged for a Gardner they were used on other engines to.

It has a swinging indicator so that you can be sure that the engine is being cooled,

 

Similar ones are available for industrial use, a quick search found these

 

I have a cast iron version on the shelf taking up space, maybe it will be worth selling.

 

Steve

Edited October 31, 2015 by Split Pin

[mark99]

Cheers SP.

 

I've also been digging, since as as I'm in the meter trade, I may be "field testing" this little number soon <if I can be bothered to drain/refill coolant> albeit our meters pass 1,000 cubic metres per hour.

 

http://www.gemssensors.co.uk/Flow/Electronic-Flow-Sensors/Rotor-Flow/RFI-types-Flow-Sensor

[Split Pin]

If you are fitting it to an engine with a centrifugal pump, maybe you can get some idea of coolant flow at different engine speeds.

 

When trying to work out heat transfer its one of the unknown's.

 

Steve

[Tom3]

These coolant sight glasses were fitted to the LW and L3 range of engines - the flange fittings are the correct pitch to match the water rail on these engines.The flow indicator is a stainless steel flap which hangs down - by gravity - and the flow pushes it out of the way so you can see the coolant flowing- the whole thing is in brass so can be made pretty with a bit of polishing.as well as having the peace of mind that the coolant is flowing.They are available.

[MtB]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Gardner-Bronze-Coolant-Sight-Glass-LW-L2-LK-/151853670954?hash=item235b2f222a

 

 

I've never seen one of these before. I have a sight glass on the header tank.

 

 

I have a very similar flow indicator on my Kelvin. Bronze cast with glass ports front and back. I bought it brand new seven or eight years ago having found them for sale on the net somewhere. Hundred quid-ish IIRC.

 

If you want one I'll have a look on it for a label or name. Would post up a photo but not on the boat tonight. Tomorrow if I remember!

[mark99]

 

 

I have a very similar flow indicator on my Kelvin. Bronze cast with glass ports front and back. I bought it brand new seven or eight years ago having found them for sale on the net somewhere. Hundred quid-ish IIRC.

 

If you want one I'll have a look on it for a label or name. Would post up a photo but not on the boat tonight. Tomorrow if I remember!

 

 

All info gratefully received.

[by'eck]

Cheers SP.

 

I've also been digging, since as as I'm in the meter trade, I may be "field testing" this little number soon <if I can be bothered to drain/refill coolant> albeit our meters pass 1,000 cubic metres per hour.

 

http://www.gemssensors.co.uk/Flow/Electronic-Flow-Sensors/Rotor-Flow/RFI-types-Flow-Sensor

 

Old style petrol pumps used something similar, on the right angle from fixed to flexible pipe if remember correctly.

 

Yes see below.

 

[WotEver]

I remember those!

[David Mack]

 

 

All info gratefully received.

 

These?

 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Engineers-Mate-Ltd/_i.html?_nkw=indicators&submit=Search&_sid=1095654905

[MtB]

Right, finally remembered to photograph mine at the same time as I'm on the boat, and therefore able to do it!)

 

Here yer go...

 

 

(Dammit, Images to follow, when I can figure out how to get CWF to accept the files from my fone!)

Ok...

 

Edited February 12, 2016 by Mike the Boilerman

[MtB]

The glass window is about 45mm in diameter, and the steel flap (horizontal in the pix) lifts up when water flows and the flow rate can be read from the quadrant the scale on the upper left.

[mark99]

The glass window is about 45mm in diameter, and the steel flap (horizontal in the pix) lifts up when water flows and the flow rate can be read from the quadrant the scale on the upper left.

 

It looks like copper only....... it's not shiney <the pipes I mean>

 

Thanks for those.

Edited February 13, 2016 by mark99

[MtB]

 

It looks like copper only....... it's not shiney <the pipes I mean>

 

Thanks for those.

 

 

No, what you get when you buy one is the bronze bit. The copper pipes are provided by the installer, if you want copper. The connections top nd bottom are 1" BSP female.

 

The bronze or gunmetal (not sure which it is) could easily be polished up to 'bright and shiny' with the right gear and a bench grinder, in my opinion.

[WotEver]

Mike, I think Mark was pointing out that you had copper pipes leading to and from but... they're not shiny

[MtB]

Mike, I think Mark was pointing out that you had copper pipes leading to and from but... they're not shiny

 

 

O I C !

 

Well I don't really agree with polishing stuff. I polished them when I fitted them, and that's their lot!

[WotEver]

Ooh, a boat owner with coppery bits who's not OCD!

 

You might be unique mate.

[Tom3]

Found photo of Gardner coolant flow indicator. As photo shows this can be horizontal or vertically mounted - could be used on any "Non Pressurised" cooling system.