Spindle coolant flow indicator

[309cnc]

Wanted to share what I did to have a visual on whether or not my coolant pump is working. Hope the little video works here....

BTW: Used the opportunity to replace my dark brown PVC lines with new flexible silicone tubing

IMG_1543.m4v (1.81 MB)

OK, here is another picture in case the video doesn't work for you:

[traindriver]

  I like it!

[309cnc]

Thanks..... I had a pump fail and so I am more comfortable when I can see that it is working.

[traindriver]

My pump failed, too. Where did you get the flow indicator? Can you post a part number?

[309cnc]

The 'indicator' came from eBay. This is not the exact one but you can find plenty of these for $3-$5:

www.ebay.com/itm/G1-4-Acrylic-Semicircle-2-Way-Flow-Meter-Indicator-for-PC-Water-Cooling-System/132338075814?hash=item1ecff6c8a6:g:xhEAAOSwt5tZvgUV

What I did not know / understand initially is that G1/4 thread is NOT 1/4 pipe thread. So the local hardware store is not going to have any (barb-) fitting for you. Hesitating at first, I finally ended up buying (expensive) Enzotech elbows to connect from G1/4 to 1/4 ID soft tubing. SImilar to these:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B0YCX90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In the end, I was glad I did because they rotate and the connection to the silicone hose was easy.

I also have one of these laying around because I thought it would be cool to have the temp displayed. But so far I have been too lazy to mess with the electrical connection to get power to it....:

www.ebay.com/itm/PC-Water-Cooling-Cooler-3-Way-Flow-Meter-w-Digital-Thermometer-G1-4-Fitting-BT/372131792514?epid=24009127995&hash=item56a4c88682:g:~OIAAOSwi6Jar2im


Here is the tubing I used. I got the 5x8mm. Fits well to replace the long PVC tubing used form the pump/radiator to the spindle:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXLNOZ9

There are also a couple larger pieces of tubing used in my setup. I have not replaced those yet but have 8x11mm on order for those.


Hope this helps....

[minn]

Here's another flow indicator that I've been looking at. A little more expensive but it has fittings on it. Haven't bought it yet but will in time for my next coolant change.

FlowIndicator

[traindriver]

Great! Thanks!

[johnb]

Coolant seems to vary with the phase of the moon on the day the machine was put together. I've seen Red, Pink, "Diesel Fuel" Color...mine's Blue.

What is it that they are putting in there?

My machine arrived with the reservoir a hair under 1/3 "full"...presumably because they swapped out the pump before they sent it on from Ohio and didn't top it off. Good to see that the flow indicator that Minn posted has a choice of at least two different "wheel colors"

[Axiom Tool Group]

The factory uses a Blue variety of the recommended Propylene Glycol antifreeze...however, here in the US all similar antifreeze products vary in color by manufacturer. Typically a shade of Red to pink.

As long as it's an RV/Marine grade propylene glycol it would be correct.

Automotive ethylene glycol is harmful to the seals in the pumps and can cause a failure very quickly.

[buildswithbrian]

that is an awesome idea, thanks!