Early warning of marine cooling system failure

摘要

An early warning system detects the failure of a marine cooling system by monitoring the presence of water within the cooling system so that an alarm is given upon cessation or a severe reduction of water flow therethrough. A water sensing element is inserted within the cooling system preferably within an exhaust system of a marine engine cooled by the cooling system and a detection circuit is connected to the water sensing element. An alarm signal is generated by the detection circuit if insufficient water flow is sensed by the water sensing element. The circuit preferably comprises a darlington amplifier having a power input terminal, a power output terminal and a control terminal. A resistor and a capacitor are connected in parallel between the power input terminal and the control terminal of the darlington amplifier, the water sensing element is connected to the control terminal and an audible or visual or combined audible and visual alarm device is connected to the power output terminal.