[ROVERNET - UK] Thermostat P6B 3500S

[Dave Read]

Agreed Gavin, but I thought that a thermostat in a fully 100% 
operational system would not open 100%, but slowly oscillate about a 
point less than fully open, and allowing just sufficient coolant thru 
the rad core to maintain the set temp.

To me, if the thermostat was to reach fully open, the thermodynamic 
efficiency of the cooling system would have "hit the wall". (no reserve)

Cheers
Dave
South Oz

Gavin.Walker at csiro.au wrote:
> Different temperature thermostats are all about headroom.  Once the
> thermostat is fully open your cooling system is operating at 100% no
> matter what the temperature of the thermostat is.  A lower temperature
> thermostat can reduce overheating if, and only if, the cause (traffic,
> driving uphill) is only temporary.  This is because as the thermostat
> fully opens earlier your cooling system is working at 100% from earlier.
> An event that would cause overheating will take longer to do so with an
> earlier opening thermostat, so the event may pass before the car
> overheats.  If the event continues for long enough it will overheat
> regardless of the thermostat.  In these cases all a lower temperature
> thermostat does for you is give you cold feet in winter.
> 
> Gavin Walker
> Canberra, Australia