Antifreeze testing

[Wartsnuff]

I used a tester with a floating needle in it on mine, it showed 100%

after 15 years being on the bench, i would not trust that type of antifreeze strength tester


this is what you should be using if you want a accurate reading

The solution to all of these problems is to throw away your hydrometer and get yourself a refractometer. Refractometers measure how much light slows down as it passes through the antifreeze - it's refractive index. It then converts this refractive index into a percentage of concentration number and projects it on a scale visible through the eyepiece. Refractometers can be affected by the temperature of the solution, but only to a minimal degree compared to a hydrometer. The other drawbacks are that refractometers are more expensive ($45 - $400), and much more fragile than hydrometers. But, they can usually pay for themselves rather quickly, given the cost of antifreeze today.

 

[Sled Dog]

As long as I am testing ethylene glycol I am sticking with the hydrometer tester. Like I said all you need is for your antifreeze to be close not an exact science. Each to his own I guess.

 

[ReX]

As long as I am testing ethylene glycol I am sticking with the hydrometer tester. Like I said all you need is for your antifreeze to be close not an exact science. Each to his own I guess.

I agree with you Sled Dog.

If you don't trust the one you have, test it like I did a few posts above. Mine was accurate to 1 degree compared to the numbers on the side of the antifreeze container and that's plenty accurate for me.

One other thing. If Yamaha was using some sort of special ethylene glycol coolant that has a much higher specific gravity, chances are extremely good that the index of refraction would be altered as well. I've been working in the photonics industry for 7 years and in my experience altering the chemical make up of solids and liquids enough to change the specific gravity always has a huge effect on the index of refraction.

 

[Wartsnuff]

As long as I am testing ethylene glycol I am sticking with the hydrometer tester. Like I said all you need is for your antifreeze to be close not an exact science. Each to his own I guess.

I agree with you Sled Dog.

If you don't trust the one you have, test it like I did a few posts above. Mine was accurate to 1 degree compared to the numbers on the side of the antifreeze container and that's plenty accurate for me.

One other thing. If Yamaha was using some sort of special ethylene glycol coolant that has a much higher specific gravity, chances are extremely good that the index of refraction would be altered as well. I've been working in the photonics industry for 7 years and in my experience altering the chemical make up of solids and liquids enough to change the specific gravity always has a huge effect on the index of refraction.

there is a scale for different formula's.... correct its a critical mixture solutions.

but in my career as a mechanic.... i have always found that the normal hydrometer are very inaccuarate... always on the heavy side..

i would not trust it, for a car... so certinaly not going to trust it for me sled.

just 0.02 cents

cheers
Dave

 

[ReX]

but in my career as a mechanic.... i have always found that the normal hydrometer are very inaccuarate... always on the heavy side..

i would not trust it, for a car... so certinaly not going to trust it for me sled.

Did you always use them with a cold engine (room temperature)? I would think as a mechanic that would be very hard to do and you'd need a truly professional tool that is temperature compensated.

I'll admit I also have an older, very cheap ($5 or something at Canadian Tire) coolant tester. When I tried it last night it read about 10°C too little protection and it was hard to get a consistent reading. Total junk. I demoted it to a fluid transfer tool (brake fluid, etc.) years ago so that could have screwed it up (the reason I demoted it was it was hard to get a consistent reading...).

The more expensive (~$20) brand name brand (Prestone) tester worked very well and I can't see why so many are insisting it's not good enough for the home mechanic.

 

[Bigger Hammer]

I have never had a problem in a sled, or any other vehicle for that matter using a cheaper tester. I agree the refractometer is more accurate, its what I use at work to check machine coolant concentration levels, but the average Joe dosn't need to invest in one, in my opinion.

 

[NY_Nytro]

As long as I am testing ethylene glycol I am sticking with the hydrometer tester. Like I said all you need is for your antifreeze to be close not an exact science. Each to his own I guess.

Agreed. A working condition float type meter will get you in the range you need to.

 

[canadianhunter]

My sled tested -40C to -45C with my cheapy tester, so I took out 1/2 a tester and diluted it to about - 15C+ or- and put it outside at about -20C and it got alittle slushy. This is close enough for the girls I go with.