Conductivity Meter for Coolant Solutions in High-Voltage and Fuel Cell Vehicles with LCD Display

Ideal for determining the conductivity of coolants in HV vehicles, fuel cells, and transformer oils.

Coolants currently used in cooling systems of diesel, gasoline, CNG, or electric vehicles perform the following main tasks:

• rapid heat dissipation and heat supply (cooling and heating - temperature control)
• corrosion protection of all parts wetted in the cooling system and thermal management
• antifreeze and overheating protection
• protection against deposits

The water mixed into the coolant concentrate plays a significant role. This added water should be demineralized. In hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles, insulating operating fluids are increasingly being used. The use of high-voltage components is always accompanied by the use of insulating media (oils, coolants, etc.), e.g., insulating POE compressor oils in HV vehicles. Even coolants increasingly used in thermal management systems/cooling systems in HV and fuel cell systems have these insulating properties.

In thermal management systems of fuel cells and special high-voltage systems, special ready-to-use coolants are used that fulfill another main task.

• rapid heat dissipation and heat supply (cooling and heating - temperature control)
• corrosion protection of all parts wetted in the cooling system/thermal management
• antifreeze and overheating protection
• protection against deposits
• electrically insulating properties (very low conductivity = high insulation)

The use of conventional coolants is NOT permitted in the applications mentioned here and leads to irreparable damage. Mixtures of conventional coolants and coolants with very low conductivity [µS/cm] are also not permitted. For this application, ready-to-use coolants are mostly used, as (electrically insulating) deionized water is generally not available in workshops. Manufacturer information must be strictly observed. These coolant mixtures are significantly more expensive than conventional coolant mixtures for, e.g., internal combustion engines. Therefore, a thorough and documented measurement of the critical conductivity parameter is worthwhile.

If the coolant's conductivity increases significantly, this can lead to short circuits within the fuel cell, for example. Therefore, the coolant must be replaced as soon as an increased conductivity is measured in the coolant. Usually, the ion exchanger of the cooling circuit/thermal management system must be replaced at the same time as the new coolant is used. For a well-founded decision as to whether and when the coolant and the ion exchanger need to be replaced, the LWM 02_LR measuring device from Autotestgeräte Leitenberger GmbH is the optimal solution.

Handheld conductivity meter with LCD display, 128 x 64 pixels, backlit, with graphic display and plain text menu structure

• Operation via housing keypad
• USB interface for configuration and data logging
• Data logger with 4,000 data sets
• 0…200 μS, 0…2000, μS, 0…20 mS, 0…500 mS/cm or automatic measuring range detection
• Temperature measurement and compensation 0…100 °C
• Power supply: 3 AA 1.5 V batteries (included)
• Ambient temperature: -10…55 °C
• ABS housing, protection class IP 65
• USB connection via 4-pin socket
• Conductivity measuring cell, 4-electrode technology integrated Pt 1000, 1 m cable with 6-pin M16 DIN connector
• 50 ml calibration solution 80 μS/cm at 25 °C
• ±1 % FS in the measuring range: 0…200 μS
• Complete in case with measuring cell

Item No.: LWM 02_LR (100146_1)