Accessory for vacuum cooling system fillers

Frequently Asked Questions About Accessories for Radiator Vacuum Filling Devices

With the right accessories, vacuum filling of cooling systems can be adapted to different workshop conditions and vehicle types. For example, electric vacuum pumps allow you to work independently of a compressed air supply, while coolant reservoirs and universal connectors simplify the filling process. Here, we answer frequently asked questions about selecting the right accessories.

• What accessories are needed for a radiator vacuum filling device?

  The accessories required depend on the filling device used, the vehicle, and the workshop connections available. In addition to the actual radiator vacuum filling device , you may need, in particular, a vacuum pump, a suitable cooling system adapter or rubber cone, and a sufficiently large coolant reservoir.

  Autotestgeräte Leitenberger offers, among other things, electric vacuum pumps powered by 12 V, 18 V battery, or 230 V, coolant reservoirs with various capacities, and rubber cone sets for different opening diameters.

• When is it better to use an electric vacuum pump instead of compressed air from a workshop?

  An electric vacuum pump is particularly useful when there is no adequate compressed air supply or when you need to work independently of the compressed air network.
  
  This can be advantageous, for example, for mobile workshop use, field service, workstations located far from a compressed air connection, or for test benches and small-batch production.
  
  In contrast, with conventional pneumatic vacuum filling devices, the vacuum is generated via a Venturi nozzle using the workshop’s existing compressed air supply.

• What is the difference between a 12-V, 18-V, and 230-V vacuum pump?

  The various models differ primarily in their power source and intended area of application.

  The 12-V EV 30_12VDC vacuum pump can be powered directly by a suitable 12-V power supply and is particularly well-suited for mobile applications.

  The 18-V cordless vacuum pump EV 30_18VDC operates wirelessly and is designed for use with compatible 18-V rechargeable batteries. This allows it to be used independently of electrical and compressed air connections.

  The 230-V vacuum pump EV 30_230VAC_LR is particularly well-suited for stationary workshop operations, test benches, rework, and small-batch production. It also features a vacuum/drainage box.

  Which model is best suited therefore depends less on the vehicle and more on the specific workshop process.

• Why is a drainage tank useful for a vacuum pump?

  A vacuum pump is generally designed to extract air or suitable gases. Liquids or contaminants should not enter the pump.
  
  A drainage container or vacuum/drainage box collects any liquid that is accidentally drawn in, thereby protecting the vacuum pump. At the same time, the box can help stabilize the vacuum.
  
  This protection is especially important in cooling systems that are already filled with fluid—so-called “wet” cooling systems.

• What size should the coolant reservoir be?

  The coolant reservoir should be able to hold at least the amount of coolant required for the vehicle in question and provide sufficient reserve capacity.
  
  Autotestgeräte Leitenberger, for example, offers graduated coolant reservoirs with capacities of 10, 20, and 30 liters. For passenger cars, a smaller reservoir is often sufficient, whereas commercial vehicles, large engines, or complex thermal management systems may require larger amounts of coolant.
  
  A scale also makes it easier to check how much coolant has been drawn in during the filling process.

• When is a rubber cone used instead of a vehicle-specific cooling system adapter?

  A rubber cone allows for universal connection to suitable radiator or expansion tank openings. This enables a filling device to be used with openings of various sizes without requiring a separate threaded adapter for each application.

  For example, the Leitenberger GKS 01 rubber cone set for the KVB 01 includes three sizes for opening ranges of 16 to 33 mm, 23 to 42 mm, and 34 to 52 mm.

  A vehicle-specific cooling system adapter, on the other hand, provides a defined mechanical connection and is particularly useful for regularly recurring work on the same vehicle types.

• Can an existing radiator vacuum filling unit be converted to use an electric vacuum pump?

  With compatible Leitenberger filling units, the existing vacuum generation using workshop compressed air can be supplemented or replaced by a suitable electric vacuum pump.

  This is possible, for example, with the KVB 01. This allows an existing cooler vacuum filling system to be used more flexibly without having to replace the entire filling unit.

  When making a selection, connections, the required ultimate vacuum, and the intended application must be taken into account.

• What should be considered regarding coolant reservoirs and hoses for hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles?

  When using specialized coolants for high-voltage and fuel cell systems, mixing or contamination with other coolants must be avoided.
  
  In particular, coolants with very low electrical conductivity can have their properties altered even by minor impurities. For such applications, it may therefore be advisable—or required by the vehicle manufacturer—to use separate containers, hoses, and filling devices exclusively for the respective medium.
  
  The specifications of the vehicle or system manufacturer always take precedence.