RX3 Cooling System - Page 5

rjmorel · 05-23-2016, 12:18 AM

I understand and appreciate all of the above views and reasoning on this topic from you guys. Here's another farmer John (whoever he was) idea.

Cut one of the radiator hoses in two and install a ball valve so you can close down flow till it warms up to 3 bars then open it up some to get temps you want ?????? The fan switch and fill cap are still in the picture then. I know not cell phone techy enough but satisfyingly simple like a patatoe.

rj

Ron B · 05-23-2016, 06:23 AM

I know Kats not in the U.S. but if you start messing with the factory cooling system has anyone checked with CSC to see if it will void the warranty? Some factories and companies are really picky about changing some things from their specs. I know Chevy was real picky about what lifts i could put on my truck.

katflap · 05-23-2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjmorel

I understand and appreciate all of the above views and reasoning on this topic from you guys. Here's another farmer John (whoever he was) idea.

Cut one of the radiator hoses in two and install a ball valve so you can close down flow till it warms up to 3 bars then open it up some to get temps you want ?????? The fan switch and fill cap are still in the picture then. I know not cell phone techy enough but satisfyingly simple like a patatoe.

rj

I do actually like this Idea and I like your thinking rj,

I might well use your Idea as plan "C" but for now i'm going with the by pass idea as it has a few other benefits.

Here's a pdf link to some thermobob info, explaining the whole deal.

http://www.watt-man.com/uploads/TB_Testing.pdf

katflap · 05-23-2016, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron B

I know Kats not in the U.S. but if you start messing with the factory cooling system has anyone checked with CSC to see if it will void the warranty? Some factories and companies are really picky about changing some things from their specs. I know Chevy was real picky about what lifts i could put on my truck.

Good point Ron

We don't have anything like CSC with their parts, support and warranties

Though my bike did come with a warranty, I think there would be a less than zero chance of getting any joy with it. That said I did kinda know this before I bought the bike.

katflap · 05-25-2016, 08:42 AM

Coolant temp test run.
55mins of mixed speed Limit roads (30,40 & 60 mph)
Air temperature = 16c ( 61f)

Quite quickly, the temp got to 50c ( 122f)

Took what seemed like quite along time to get to 55c (131f)

From there on the temp stayed pretty much between 55-60c (131-140f)

At one point I stopped to let the temp rise to about 75c (167f), but once riding again it soon dropped back below 60c (140f).

So in nearly an hour of riding the coolant temprature didn't get hot enough to open the thermostat (rated at 70c 158f) (apart from my stop).

I can only assume that the radiators being warm is due to the small bypass hole in the thermostat. I think I will be testing the thermostat at some point.

picture - a few mins after returning. Naturaly the temp has gone up some.
Name: Temp test.jpg
Views: 558
Size: 93.9 KB

Name: Temp test.jpg
Views: 558
Size: 93.9 KB

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 12:36 PM

You are a wonderful asset to these forums, Kat.

After I return home from a ride, I am going to open up my spare thermostat housing, and measure the thermostat. I will also try to post some photos.

kohburn · 05-25-2016, 01:45 PM

sounds like testing the thermostat in a pot of water with a thermometer is in order.

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 09:19 PM

Here are photographs of my spare thermostat housing, and the thermostat itself. The thermostat is 1.25-inches in diameter, and appears to be an excellent match for the Thermo-Bob spare thermometers.

For comparison, here is a photograph of the 1.25-inch thermometer for sale at the Thermo-Bob website.

http://shop.watt-man.com/Thermo-Bob-...rmostat-S3.htm

dpl096 · 05-25-2016, 09:35 PM

Great work Kat &Spud. This thread keeps getting better

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 09:58 PM

Kat,

I think you could install a 90 degree Celsius thermostat from Watt-Man in the thermostat housing.

Then you could follow your plans, as stated in post #26 of this thread.

You could remove the temperature probe for the digital display, and use this port for the bypass hose to the water pump inlet. Then you could install the temperature probe for the digital display in a new connector, placed just upstream of the thermostat housing.

pyoungbl · 05-25-2016, 09:59 PM

Well, 70C = 158F so that is one reason why the bikes do not get very hot. With two radiators the system can shed serious heat without ever getting too hot. On the other hand, that thermostat setting will tend to keep the engine at 158F just as long as possible...probably all day. I suspect a 180 or 190F thermostat would be a good idea here. A small bypass still looks like a good idea to me.

pyoungbl · 05-25-2016, 10:02 PM

Looks like Spud beat me to the punch and is thinking along the same lines. I like the idea of re-purposing that sensor hole for a bypass. Man, we might be onto a fantastic idea here!

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

Well, 70C = 158F so that is one reason why the bikes do not get very hot. With two radiators the system can shed serious heat without ever getting too hot. On the other hand, that thermostat setting will tend to keep the engine at 158F just as long as possible...probably all day. I suspect a 180 or 190F thermostat would be a good idea here. A small bypass still looks like a good idea to me.

I think Katflap's plan is excellent.

Our thermostat housing will accommodate one of the spare, $19 thermostats sold by Watt-Man. Even if we bought a Thermo-Bob kit, we would still need to fabricate an appropriate bypass connector for the short hose coming from the right radiator to the water pump inlet. Therefore, rather than buy a Thermo-Bob kit, I think it would be less expensive to follow the plans of Katflap, as outlined in post #26 of this thread.

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

...I like the idea of re-purposing that sensor hole for a bypass. Man, we might be onto a fantastic idea here!

I agree.

RJMorel has joined this discussion, and he is a machinist.

What do you think, Rob? Can you recommend some appropriate connectors? If not, can you fabricate what we need?

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 11:14 PM

The temperature probe for the digital display has an M10 x 1.0 thread pitch. It would accommodate the following adapters.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-3-8-ba...ZWxdMP&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-5-16-b...9WxdFg&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fitting-M10X...dWiY1n&vxp=mtr

http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...d349f3b2e99afd

05-23-2016, 12:18 AM	#61
rjmorel Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 928	I understand and appreciate all of the above views and reasoning on this topic from you guys. Here's another farmer John (whoever he was) idea. Cut one of the radiator hoses in two and install a ball valve so you can close down flow till it warms up to 3 bars then open it up some to get temps you want ?????? The fan switch and fill cap are still in the picture then. I know not cell phone techy enough but satisfyingly simple like a patatoe. rj __________________ Live Zong, and Prosper
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05-23-2016, 06:23 AM	#62
Ron B Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Tuscaloosa Al. Posts: 433	I know Kats not in the U.S. but if you start messing with the factory cooling system has anyone checked with CSC to see if it will void the warranty? Some factories and companies are really picky about changing some things from their specs. I know Chevy was real picky about what lifts i could put on my truck. __________________ Wingless Hawk, 2016 orange RX3, 97 wide glide,2003 KLR
	0

05-25-2016, 12:36 PM	#66
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	You are a wonderful asset to these forums, Kat. After I return home from a ride, I am going to open up my spare thermostat housing, and measure the thermostat. I will also try to post some photos. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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05-25-2016, 01:45 PM	#67
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	sounds like testing the thermostat in a pot of water with a thermometer is in order. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
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05-25-2016, 09:19 PM	#68
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Here are photographs of my spare thermostat housing, and the thermostat itself. The thermostat is 1.25-inches in diameter, and appears to be an excellent match for the Thermo-Bob spare thermometers. For comparison, here is a photograph of the 1.25-inch thermometer for sale at the Thermo-Bob website. http://shop.watt-man.com/Thermo-Bob-...rmostat-S3.htm __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	1

05-25-2016, 08:42 AM	#65
katflap Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 382	Coolant temp test run. 55mins of mixed speed Limit roads (30,40 & 60 mph) Air temperature = 16c ( 61f) Quite quickly, the temp got to 50c ( 122f) Took what seemed like quite along time to get to 55c (131f) From there on the temp stayed pretty much between 55-60c (131-140f) At one point I stopped to let the temp rise to about 75c (167f), but once riding again it soon dropped back below 60c (140f). So in nearly an hour of riding the coolant temprature didn't get hot enough to open the thermostat (rated at 70c 158f) (apart from my stop). I can only assume that the radiators being warm is due to the small bypass hole in the thermostat. I think I will be testing the thermostat at some point. picture - a few mins after returning. Naturaly the temp has gone up some.
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05-25-2016, 09:35 PM	#69
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Great work Kat &Spud. This thread keeps getting better __________________ ************************************************ * " Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted." - John Lennon “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" ....George Harrison song
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05-25-2016, 09:58 PM	#70
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Kat, I think you could install a 90 degree Celsius thermostat from Watt-Man in the thermostat housing. Then you could follow your plans, as stated in post #26 of this thread. You could remove the temperature probe for the digital display, and use this port for the bypass hose to the water pump inlet. Then you could install the temperature probe for the digital display in a new connector, placed just upstream of the thermostat housing. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	2

05-25-2016, 09:59 PM	#71
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	Well, 70C = 158F so that is one reason why the bikes do not get very hot. With two radiators the system can shed serious heat without ever getting too hot. On the other hand, that thermostat setting will tend to keep the engine at 158F just as long as possible...probably all day. I suspect a 180 or 190F thermostat would be a good idea here. A small bypass still looks like a good idea to me.
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05-25-2016, 10:02 PM	#72
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	Looks like Spud beat me to the punch and is thinking along the same lines. I like the idea of re-purposing that sensor hole for a bypass. Man, we might be onto a fantastic idea here!
	1

05-25-2016, 11:14 PM	#75
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	The temperature probe for the digital display has an M10 x 1.0 thread pitch. It would accommodate the following adapters. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-3-8-ba...ZWxdMP&vxp=mtr http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-5-16-b...9WxdFg&vxp=mtr http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fitting-M10X...dWiY1n&vxp=mtr http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...d349f3b2e99afd __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 05-26-2016 at 02:07 AM.
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