Refractometer

Robti · 7th January 2021, 17:42

Anyone use one, I tried water and it was at zero, dipped the red in my ztt and it showed -20 °C, tried the blue in my vitesse and it was off the scale which I thought was going to be the weakest solution. Waiting for some fresh blue to be delivered to try a test solution.

kelvo · 7th January 2021, 18:01

I've never used one of the refractory types of tester, but I know that a lot of normal type testers that use floating balls can vary in accuracy.

By off the scale, do you mean a very low freezing point, if so that suggests that the coolant is too concentrated, although Ethylene Glycol is one of those odd substances that is most effective down to around 70% going beyond this, the freezing point rises to the point where neat EG will freeze.

whenever I have to change anti-freeze/coolant in any of my cars I make it before hand, generally 33% is adequate most of the time so I will use 1 part anti-freeze to 2 part water.

Robti · 7th January 2021, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvo

I've never used one of the refractory types of tester, but I know that a lot of normal type testers that use floating balls can vary in accuracy.

By off the scale, do you mean a very low freezing point, if so that suggests that the coolant is too concentrated, although Ethylene Glycol is one of those odd substances that is most effective down to around 70% going beyond this, the freezing point rises to the point where neat EG will freeze.

whenever I have to change anti-freeze/coolant in any of my cars I make it before hand, generally 33% is adequate most of the time so I will use 1 part anti-freeze to 2 part water.

Thanks the 800’s coolant has just been topped up over the years and was last flusheD and renewed years back so planning on renewing it in the next day or two as I think that might be the problem

picky747 · 9th January 2021, 13:20

Used to use them on the de-icing fluid before de-icing aircraft during winter months.

COLVERT · 10th January 2021, 15:57

I think the standard tester makes things clearer.--

7th January 2021, 17:42	#1
Robti Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190+,Rover 800 vitesse coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hamilton Posts: 1,969 Thanks: 616 Thanked 228 Times in 210 Posts	Refractometer Anyone use one, I tried water and it was at zero, dipped the red in my ztt and it showed -20 °C, tried the blue in my vitesse and it was off the scale which I thought was going to be the weakest solution. Waiting for some fresh blue to be delivered to try a test solution. __________________ Robert Last edited by Robti; 7th January 2021 at 17:49..

7th January 2021, 18:01	#2
kelvo Gets stuck in MG ZT 190 SE Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Chatham, Kent Posts: 569 Thanks: 22 Thanked 163 Times in 135 Posts	I've never used one of the refractory types of tester, but I know that a lot of normal type testers that use floating balls can vary in accuracy. By off the scale, do you mean a very low freezing point, if so that suggests that the coolant is too concentrated, although Ethylene Glycol is one of those odd substances that is most effective down to around 70% going beyond this, the freezing point rises to the point where neat EG will freeze. whenever I have to change anti-freeze/coolant in any of my cars I make it before hand, generally 33% is adequate most of the time so I will use 1 part anti-freeze to 2 part water.

9th January 2021, 13:20	#4
picky747 Gets stuck in ROVER Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vera Posts: 746 Thanks: 56 Thanked 111 Times in 85 Posts	Used to use them on the de-icing fluid before de-icing aircraft during winter months.