MAHLE RTI ELF-1 - Manual (Page 4)

Page 1
USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH HIGH PRESSURE
ELF-1 is capable of supplying over 15 PSI of pressure when the Pressure Regulator
is fully opened. While this may not seem to be a very high pressure reading when
compared to some pressure levels, it is very high when exposed to systems and
components that were not designed for high pressure.
Components such as a fuel tank will certainly be distorted at 15 PSI, and may even
rupture. Technically, 1 PSI, when fed into a 12 inch cube (tank) has a net force of 144
lbs on each side of the cube. Therefore, a 15 PSI feed into the same cube will have
(15 x 144) 2160 lbs of force applied to each side.
Consider the dimensions of a fuel tank. If the dimensions were say 9 inches high by 18 inches deep
by 30 inches long - the top and bottom (18 x 30) would each have a total force of 540 lbs (at 1 PSI) and
8100 lbs (at 15 PSI) pushing against them.
Consider raising a 4,500 lb car on a hydraulic lift, with a piston that is about 10 inches in diameter. The
piston area is (Pi R
2 ) or 79 square inches. Multiply this by an air supply of 125 PSI (125 x 79) and the
potential force of 9,875 lbs forces the piston (and the car) into the air.
That’s the basic principle that causes a piston to lift many times its potential. The same principle may
be a destructive force when used incorrectly. USE PRESSURE CAREFULLY.
ELF-1 has been designed and built by automotive technicians, for automotive technicians. It is NOT
a tool for an amateur or do-it-yourselfer.
It is essential that the operator reads and understands the instructions provided here, as well as the
concepts of pressure and flow testing. Failure to read and understand ALL of the following information
will result in unsatisfactory performance from ELF-1. It may also lead to damaging systems and
components via excessive air pressure.
LEAK TESTING TECHNIQUES
ELF-1 uses a specially formulated fog liquid. The results are different than any previous smoke-based
leak detector.
ELF-1 is not a smoke machine. It generates a highly reflective fog that can be spotted easier when
exiting a leak. A white light is supplied that will reflect off the reflective fog to quickly home in on any
leaks.
The simple technique for using the white light most effectively is as follows:
Turn the light on when ready to begin locating a leak. Shine the light in the direction of the suspected
leak to spot any air movement in the light beam, then move the beam in the direction of the leak.
The smaller the leak, the faster the stream of fog will be, making it more difficult to see. Move a little
further away from the suspect area if air movement is not detected. As the fog movement slows down,
it will gather and be more visible.
Because of the formulation of the fog, it is quite likely that the leak may be located as the internal
pressure of the system/component being tested drops to near zero. At or near zero, the fog is not being
forced out of the leak, it therefore will drift out slowly and accumulate in the area of the leak. This is an
excellent opportunity to find the leak at this time.
Repeat the process if the fog dissipates before the leak is seen. This requires a quick (2-3 seconds)
shot of fog to set the process in motion again. This may be repeated as often as necessary.