This optical refractometer for operating fluids measuring of cars and trucks and buses (windscreen washer fluids, antifreezes and coolants, electrolyte, AdBlue®) is equipped with an automatic temperature compensation. It allows to concentrate only to measuring irrespective of slight temperature changes. It is designed for measuring of following characteristics:
Scale to determine the battery electrolyte condition (lead acid battery)
| Scale range |
Resolution |
| 1.10 to 1.40 kg/l |
0.01 kg/l |
| Scale range |
Result |
| 1.10 to 1.20 kg/l |
the battery is discharged (RECHARGE) |
| 1.20 to 1.25 kg/l |
the battery is partially discharged (FAIR) |
| 1.25 to 1.40 kg/l |
the battery is charged (GOOD) |
Scale G13 - to determine the freezing point of propylene glycol-based antifreezes
This scale is suitable for measuring of freezing point of propylene glycol-based coolants and antifreezes. The scale can be also used for measuring of propylene glycol-based antifreezes in solar thermal collectors circuits or heating pumps and chillers.
| Range of scale G13 |
Resolution |
| -50 °C to 0 °C |
1 °C |
Scale G11/G12 - to determine the freezing point of ethylene glycol-based antifreezes
This scale is designed for measuring of the freezing point ethylene glycol-based coolants and antifreezes like G11 coolants (coolants VW TL 774-C - e.g. FRIDEX® G 48, FRIDEX® STABIL) and G12 coolants (coolants VW TL 774-D/F/G - e.g. FRIDEX® G PLUS) which are used especially in the VW Group cars - brands Skoda, Volkswagen, SEAT, AUDI.
The scale can be also used for measuring of ethylene glycol-based antifreezes in solar thermal collectors circuits or heating pumps and chillers.
| Range of scale G11 |
Resolution |
| -50 °C to 0 °C |
1 °C |
Scale to determine the freezing point of ethanol-based screen washes
| Scale range |
Resolution |
| -40 °C to 0 °C |
5 °C |
Scale SRF1 - Scale to determine the freezing point of isopropanol-based screen washes
| Range of scale SRF1 |
Resolution |
| -40 °C to 0 °C |
5 °C |
Scale Urea - for measuring of liquid additive AdBlue
The scale for liquid additive AdBlue (health and environmental friendly urea according to ISO 22241/DIN 70070/AUS32 developed for the automotive industry) used to treat exhaust gases to the level of emission standards Euro 4 and Euro 5.
AdBlue is chemically highly pure, colorless, non-toxic synthetic urea aqueous solution (32.5 percentage by weight - this value is highlighted on a scale by an extended line) used as a reducing agent for SCR technology in diesel engines. AdBlue is injected into the catalyst where is by the influence of heat decomposed to carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3). Ammonia further reacts with the nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in diesel exhaust gas and than are, instead of health hazardous NOx, emmited only pure nitrogen (N) and water (H2O). This chemical process is called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The crystallization temperature is -11 °C (viz ISO 22241/DIN 70070/AUS32).
AdBlue is a registered trademark of VDA.
| Scale range |
Resolution |
| 30 to 35 % |
0.2 % |
The measurement
The liquids measuring is very easy, fast and in comparison with a hydrometer is also economical. Place a few drops of measured liquid onto the prism, press slightly the cover plate to eliminate possible bubbles as well as air and the light/blue boundary will show you the result value.
Notice: Coolants are sometimes sold as a concentrated mixture which has to be diluted with water. The freezing point of the concentrate is different than the freezing point advertised on its packaging! There are usually, due the marketing reasons, give the more extreme (lower) values. The concentrate is usually diluted with tap (drinking) water (in the past been used distilled water) but always follow the fluid manufacturer's instructions!
General technical specifications
- Reference temperature is 20 °C
- ATC - automatic temperature compensation (in temperature range from 10 to 30 °C)
- Possibility of focusing
- Length ~ 160 mm
- Quality technical design, metal body
- Package contents: durable plastic case, refractometer, cleaning cloth, plastic pipette, screwdriver, operating instructions in English
Scale of the refractometer RBC4AB-ATC