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08-13-2018, 02:45 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hobe Sound Florida
Posts: 79
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DEF Refractometer
Does anyone use this tool to check DEF quality?
According to Cummings the DEF fluid is only good for max 18 months and much lower when stored in heat. P/N for their tester is 4919554
And is $78 on Amazon. Wonder if a cheaper one would work as well.
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08-14-2018, 06:25 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 3,955
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLavionics
Does anyone use this tool to check DEF quality?
According to Cummings the DEF fluid is only good for max 18 months and much lower when stored in heat. P/N for their tester is 4919554
And is $78 on Amazon. Wonder if a cheaper one would work as well.
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If you use your rig at all, this should never be a problem. Each time my tank gets down to about 1/2 I stop at a Walmart and get their brand of DEF. 6 years now doing this and I have had no issues. I think the testing idea may be overkill for the typical RVer. If you are brewing your own DEF that would be a different story.
__________________
Rick & Melissa Young, 2011 Itasca Meridian 40U, Frtliner XCL, Cummins ISL 380HP/DEF, Allison 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox, EEZ TPMS, TruCenter steering control
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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08-15-2018, 09:05 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 4,040
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Save your money and use it on dinner for you and your wife. You do not need (and really can't do much about it) to check your DEF "quality" which a refractometer really doesn't do. It checks specific gravity which basically tells you the percentage of water vs. urea. You are not going to be adding urea or water and I really don't think you are going to pump out the DEF in the tank. Follow jerichorick's advice.
__________________
Roger & Mary
2017 Winnebago Navion 24V (Sold)
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 36GH (Sold)
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08-16-2018, 04:58 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hobe Sound Florida
Posts: 79
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Ok...ok i admit I sometimes go over the top, thanks for bringing me down to earth.
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08-17-2018, 08:06 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 3,955
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLavionics
Ok...ok i admit I sometimes go over the top, thanks for bringing me down to earth.
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Now we can be considered tether pullers. Welcome to planet earth.
Happy trails and many of them. Just don't let the DEF tank go dry. That will be a moment.
__________________
Rick & Melissa Young, 2011 Itasca Meridian 40U, Frtliner XCL, Cummins ISL 380HP/DEF, Allison 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox, EEZ TPMS, TruCenter steering control
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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08-17-2018, 08:24 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 284
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I agree with above that if you drive enough to need to add fluid regularly throughout the year it should not be a problem.
Temp effects the storage life of def from one of the manufacturers
DEF Shelf Life versus Temperature
Constant Ambient Storage
Temperature Shelf Life Months
≤50 °F (10°C) 36
<77 °F (25°C) 18
≤86 °F (30°C) 12
≤95 °F (35°C) 6
<104°F (40°C) 2
__________________
2016 Jayco Eagle 27.5 RLTS
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08-17-2018, 06:51 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 250
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I used to keep the DEF tank topped off. Due to several surgeries I wasn't able to drive it much. I also called Cummins and inquired as to DEF service life which they advised as 18 months. They told me not to agonize as the 18 months is a "rule of thumb" although you don't want to go too far past.
I thought about siphoning it out, but it was in storage and "locked down" til April. We were able then to get it on the road and when the DEF hit half a tank added fresh 2 1/2 gallons and worked it down to 1/4 tank. The wind up is more surgeries are possible and now keep the DEF level at half a tank at all times. I don't carry any as it's available everywhere and want to always purchase a fresh container.
Sorry it's so long, just my .02 and how I decided to handle possible non use periods.
__________________
Tara is our Border Collie daughter.
2014 Winnegabo Forza 34T 32 year Good Sam member
Dragging a 2015 Cadillac SRX, very nicely!
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