COOLANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Inputs, Features and Functions
Firmware Update
What’s in the Box ?
Where to Buy
ACQUA
The Madman ACQUA is an innovative device in the automotive cooling world. It is part of the CMS Series.
Most of the time you have a coolant temperature gauge to show you (more-or-less) what the coolant temperature is, that’s great. So what if the coolant level is low or if you’re not watching the gauge it’s pointless.
…Then the Madman EMS came out with a coolant level alarm, which warns you when the coolant is low, even before the temperature goes up, that’s an improvement, now we’re getting somewhere.
The ACQUA takes it a step further with an optional Coolant Pressure Sensor in the system, fan control and Intelligence. So now, if a sudden loss of coolant happens such as a burst hose or wayward welch (freeze) plug lets go or a stick goes through your radiator, the unit will know even before the coolant drops and way before the temperature rises. This gives you the very best chance of protecting your engine form water-loss related damage.
By monitoring the pressure in the cooling system, you will be able to tell if the system is healthy.
Any high pressures relate to a bad coolant cap or even a bad head gasket. Sharp changes in pressure also indicate problems.
POCCO vs ACQUA
The POCCO and ACQUA units use the same Hardware Base, just the firmware loaded on the unit differs to suit the application. That means a POCCO can be interchanged with an ACQUA and visa-versa
Control and Setup
The ACQUA uses your car’s battery for power and is installed behind the dash assembly.
The included wiring harness installed to connect to a temperature sensor and pressure sensor (if installed) as well as to a coolant level sensing point.
Adapters could be needed to connect the temperature and pressure sensors to the coolant system, these vary from vehicle to vehicle. We can help you with that.
The control button is mounted where convenient through a 16mm hole.
Accessing the settings is done using any mobile device with a web browser. You login to the ACQUA web server to change settings and enable functions. Once Setup you do not need the phone for future operation.
The unit will automatically log all cautions and alarms. Data can be downloaded to your phone.
How Does it Work ?
CONTROL
The ACQUA keeps you informed via our M-Button. Different colours and flashing informs the operator of the system status, while buzzer calls your attention to the problem.
The ACQUA is setup with a mobile device or PC. Anything with a web browser and WiFi. The ACQUA has a comprehensive menu system making setup and control easy and possible on any mobile device.
Users are kept informed by our neat and stylish M-Button which is easy to install and gives all the information and control you need.
The setup of the CMS is reasonably simple, but the power is massive.
SETUP
The POCCO is setup with a mobile device or PC.
Anything with a web browser and WiFi.
The POCCO has a comprehensive menu system making setup and control easy and possible on any mobile device.
You can use the phone to view live values while driving and to download the alarm log files.
Typical Applications:
- Modified vehicles with relay or temperature switch driven electric fans
- OEM installations where the fan controller has failed in the ECU
- Vehicles or systems with a water pump that needs control.
- Plant and Utility equipment
Other Applications:
As a cooling fan driver in a house or motor home / camper where a fan must run to keep circulation depending on the temperature.
Any system that requires the movement of water or operation of a motor, based on temperature (or pressure).
4 Dedicated Inputs
The CMS has dedicated inputs for Temperature, Pressure, Coolant level as well as Battery Voltage.
Individually set high and low alarms with high and low caution values to suit your preference.
Choose to use the output function for alarms and choose how the buzzer should respond to alarms.
2 Advanced Features
POWER DRIVER PD50
With the addition of the PD50 Power Driver Unit, the ACQUA can now control an array of cooling fans or water pumps with infinite detail.
The user can choose at which temperature the fans will start running and at which temperature the fans will be running at target speed. You set how fast the fans start running and how fast the target speed is.
An Example:
Start the fans at 30% speed when the temperature reaches 50 Deg C – This keeps some air moving through the AC radiator and adds a reasonable amount of cooling, but keeps the noise down, then at 95 DegC the fans should be running at 100%. The CMS will calculate the fan speeds for all the temperatures between 50 and 100 Deg C so the fan remains running at the correct speed.
Advantages:
Electrical and mechanical power saving
Less wear and tear on the fans
Much quieter environment around the car when cold
Get an audio idea on how hot the car is by what it sounds like
You can control the temperature of the engine around the ideal temperature
Intelligence
The pressure of the system is dynamic and is related to coolant temperature, it therefore needs to be tested against coolant temperature for an alarm condition. This function is called the “Intelligence” feature
As temperature rises, under normal conditions, the pressure will rise to a normal limit (Usually around 1 bar (14 Psi). The intelligent function will check that the pressure increases as temperature increases. If pressure does not increase accordingly, it could indicate a leak in the system such as a coolant cap leaking or missing, or damaged hose or radiator. If the pressure increases too quickly it could indicate a different engine fault such as leaking cylinder head gasket, faulty coolant cap or oil pressure leaking into the coolant.
The intelligent system will make an alarm if these two parameter deviate from each other.
At no point must the pressure exceed a preset limit nor should it ever drop below a preset limit when at operating temperature.
Similarly, if the system has pressure the temperature may not deviate from preset limits. Any deviation of pressure or temperature outside of a common window will raise an alarm.
Fan Controller
The CMS has a Smart Fan Controller.
(Requires the PD50 Power Driver)
The controller will dynamically adjust the fan speed as a function of the coolant temperature.
As the temperature goes up so the fan speed goes up to keep temperatures under control.
You are able to set all the operating parameters to enable a power efficient cooling system where the fan runs as fast as needed under all conditions.
Some fans, especially larger ones, have a fair bit of ‘stiction’ meaning they will not start up on low power settings, additionally they also draw a huge amount of power if started at full power. This causes stress on your vehicle’s electrical system.
The ACQUA has a carefully calculated startup sequence to get a big fan started safely as well as reduce the high current spike if it starts up at or near full power.
Additional Functions
The CMS has a detailed datalogging capability and is able to record all values, once per second, while the system is powered on.
The the system will save the last 20 driving cycles and automatically over-write the oldest first. All logs will be indexed from zero on a second-by second basis.
Physical Features
Firmware Update
AQCUA firmware will be updated from time to time with new features and occasional tweaks. It is always advisable to have the latest firmware version on your device. Updating is easy, details are in the manual. You only need a mobile phone.
Note: Log files will be deleted during a software update. Be sure to download the files as needed.
To perform an update, select OTA Mode = Firmware, select the firmware file for the firmware file and it will start uploading showing a progress bar.
A green tick will show indicating the update is completed.
Power- cycle the device (turn off/turn on)
Reconnect the WiFi and return to the Update page,
Select OTA Mode = SPIFFS for the SPIFFS file, select the spiffs file and the update will commence again.
Once completed, power-cycle the device again.
Latest Version
Acqua Update Version 1.1
– Refreshed Dashboard Look
– `HardwareID` on the Update page now shows Device name (Acqua for this device) instead of hardware version
Previous Versions
Acqua Update Version 1.0
Please signup to the Firmware Updates list to receive an email when updated firmware is available
What’s in the Box ?
What’s in the Box ?
The CMS unit is supplied with a 3 meter (10ft) wiring harness, external buzzer, M-Button and a MTS150 temperature sensor.
Madman PD50 Power Driver
Madman Adapters + Fittings
What’s Else do I Need ?
You may want to add the pressure sensor (MPS2) to enable the Intelligence function and get the maximum benefit from the monitoring system.
If you want to drive a fan or pump or similar, you will need the PD50 Power Driver
Depending on your vehicle, you will need some adapters to fit the various sensors. We have a wide range of adapters and sensors to suit many applications.
Where Can I Get It ?