Dual Circuit Windstar Fan - Final Shroud Update 05/11/11

[Lunatic]

I actually installed my temp sender on the intake manifold, right next to the water neck - technically the front passenger side.

It puts the sender right next to the thermostat.

To this day, I still have had no problems at all with the entire setup.





Troy B
Ft Hood, TX

 

[munepit]

OK, I couldn't find another place on the drivers side head to put the dual circuit switch. So I will put it on the thermostat housing.

Question, In this pic, I see you are grounding the ground wire. Is this nessary? No biggie, Just didn't see that in the schematic.

Thanks.

 

[Mastiff]

There should be one in each head I think. One driver's toward front IIRC and one passenger toward rear.

 

[Lunatic]

Non-paying member here - oh my - But I did look through my files for the pic in question.

I'd love to say I "know" what that one wire goes to specifically - But my engine is sitting all over the garage floor atm.

But - It is a grounded black wire (Going to the alt bracket) and (IIRC) it is for something else entirely, just jumping a ride in the loom.


I'll see if I can't check the wire harness scrabble tomorrow and get you a definitive answer on that one wire's origin.




Troy B.
Ft Hood, TX

 

[munepit]

So you're not even using the ground wire correct? The thingy is labled T1,T2 and 0. So that's nice. I just didn't know if you have the ground wire from the circit connected.

Thanks.

 

[Lunatic]

So I looked real quick tonight:

That black wire running to the alt bracket actually IS the ground (Brown) for the temp sender.

Once the temp rises to first trigger, the ground circuit loops through and out the corresponding wire (BLK/GRN), then both (BLK/GRN and BLK/GRY) once the temp rises to the second trigger.

The GRN and GRY wires run (and trigger) the relays which trigger the fans.

So, yeah - It is needed.


Troy B
Ft Hood, TX

 

[muddermilitia]

Been searching through a few threads and have found multiple different wiring diagrams. Now I'm all confused. If I want to put these in my truck and just to keep things simple, have both fans turn on with the flick of 1 switch, how would I do that? Still need to locate some pigtails so I'm still a ways away from starting this project. Thanks in advance

 

[Lunatic]

.....have both fans turn on with the flick of 1 switch, how would I do that?....

Get 2 relays, 2 inline 30A fuses, 1 single pole switch, electrical terminals for all contacts (relays and switch), and some wire.

• Run a 12vdc 10 ga power feed with the inline 30A fuses to the relays, terminal 30.

• Run a grounding circuit to the relays, terminal 86.

• Run power to a single pole switch - Ignition power preferred.

• Run wire circuit from single pole switch to relays, terminal 85.

• Run 10 ga wire from fan pigtails to relays, terminal 87

• Run 10 ga grounding wire from fan pigtails to chassis ground.

Flip the switch ON/OFF for operation.

Keep your fan circuits separate, using two relays - Don't use one relay for both fans. The single pole switch can control both relays.


Hope this answers your question and good luck !



Troy B
Ft Hood, TX

 

[Mastiff]

Based on my experience, I'd advise against using both fans all the time. The current draw is pretty intense and even with a beefed up alternator, my voltage dropped at idle with the headlights and both fans. I ended up taking the second fan and driving it from a high temp coolant switch so the first one comes on cool and the second is almost like emergency backup. If you're going for full manual, it'd be easy enough to have two switches, or a three position switch/rotary knob.

Regarding the circuit, I personally prefer to control the relay using ground. Most times it makes the wiring easier, and fewer runs of +12 going all over.

 

[bp71k5]

Just FYI, I know of more than one person who overheated their motor because they forgot to turn on the switch. And I'm one of them. Using an automatic temp switch is so easy, I can't figure out why anyone wouldn't use one. The fan just turns on and off when it needs to and never forgets.

 

[kgblazerfive]

I would agree with Brian, not that I have put one in yet though.

 

[nutt7]

Regarding the circuit, I personally prefer to control the relay using ground. Most times it makes the wiring easier, and fewer runs of +12 going all over.

This^ and it make it a tad easier to jump the two 12v wires together on the relay

I would agree with Brian, not that I have put one in yet though.

x3. I bought a cheap one on eBay that works great...on at 210, off at 195. It threads into a water temp sensor port. I think there is an unused port on the passenger side head. It's also only one more wire...it goes to the same place as the ground on the relay (assuming you use the ground as the relay switch, not the +12v).

 

[Knixon804]

Subscribed for future use

 

[RootBreaker]

so I am ready to do this on my rig. I got my fans today, I have relays and fuses plus a switch (need to see if it is a spst or dpdt)
out of all of this I am just confused on one thing,. Last few comments were about using a automatic temp switch. I see @nutt7 said ebay (provide link of what you used?
@bp71k5 - what did you use?

@Mastiff - can you provide a diagram doing it the "ground" way?

I just realized i have a temp sensor spot on drivers side between spark plug wires (1991 caprice 350) but not using it as it is broke.
using the tstat neck and i broke the connector off so temp wrapped it.. need to fix that..
but i am guessing I can use the other spot for the automatic temp switch? trying to figure out what i need...

i will be doing a switch to only shut them off for water crossing but will be adding a buzzer to remind me they are off...

 

[RootBreaker]

and im planning on using one of these switches. Forgot I had them. Green are a simple on/off...

I just found it on my desk which is a holy mess... and this is a pic i had a while ago. not sure where the 2 switches are..
but the 5 switches... are actually..
2 green on/off - 1 red on/off/on - 2 red momentary hold for on

idea was 2 on/off for whatever say elec fuel pump, ignition, fans.. etc...
1 red on/off/on for on in up position to enable 1 momentary for front winch or down for on to other red momentary for winch out back. Never bought winches so never used these.. ughhh

 

[bp71k5]

so I am ready to do this on my rig. I got my fans today, I have relays and fuses plus a switch (need to see if it is a spst or dpdt)
out of all of this I am just confused on one thing,. Last few comments were about using a automatic temp switch. I see @nutt7 said ebay (provide link of what you used?
@bp71k5 - what did you use?

@Mastiff - can you provide a diagram doing it the "ground" way?

I just realized i have a temp sensor spot on drivers side between spark plug wires (1991 caprice 350) but not using it as it is broke.
using the tstat neck and i broke the connector off so temp wrapped it.. need to fix that..
but i am guessing I can use the other spot for the automatic temp switch? trying to figure out what i need...

i will be doing a switch to only shut them off for water crossing but will be adding a buzzer to remind me they are off...View attachment 252636

The one marked "use" looks like a temp sensor for an ECM. May not be an on/off temp switch.

The one marked fix, may be a on/off type switch but looks more like a temp sender for a gauge.

I used a painless PWM controller for mine. Let's me adjust the on/off temp and slowly ramps up and down the fan speed based on temp.

Prior to that, I used a on/off type temp switch I got from jegs or summit. They work by allowing current to pass through when it reaches a certain temp. You can by different ones that do it at different temperatures and you just thread them into a water port like in your picture. You just wire it so it interrupts the ground for your relay. Once it reaches temp, it lets current pass through and your relay then sends power to the fans. Once the temp goes below the set point, it interrupts the ground for the relay and then the relay stops allowing power to the fans.

Something like this,
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/10563/10002/-1

Or this( I think I used this one)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bci-75099

But you need to make sure the fan "off" temperature is higher or really close to your thermostat temperature or they'll never turn off. I have mine set to turn on at 205 and off at 195-200

 

[Mastiff]

FWIW, my notes say I used this switch:

Wells SW501 = BWD TFS2 (222-239 F)

In my case, the TBI turns on one fan and the other one goes on at higher temp based on this switch. Run the trigger ground of the relay to the switch and it will ground through the block when the temp is exceeded.

 

[RootBreaker]

I'm leaning towards this one...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mar-mfa109/overview/
Temperature Sending Unit, Replacement, On at 200 Degrees, Off at 185 Degrees, Thread-in, 3/8-18 NPT Size


so need some clarification to relieve some confusion...
so in the diagram that was posted, it is using a 2 circuit temp switch. I am gathering that means that fans are off (both) until thermostat opens (or if using on block port), the temp rises and once hits say 195F BOTH fans turn on? then temp goes downa nd both turn off...

if I use the switch above and set the big fan to always on, then hookup the little fan to this switch, the little fan will ONLY come on if the big fan cant handle cooling? just trying to get it understood.
thx...

also in the diagram (gotta find out who posted it originally), is a buzzer... wonder if that original drawer ever used one and what he/she used....
just this guy?
https://www.amazon.com/DC3-24V-Indu..._lf_m_bsujtu9awgx88bo_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&s=hi

 

[RootBreaker]

impulse kicked in.. bought both.. I just am not patient

 

[LNielson]

I have the Windstar fans on mine, I have separate relays for both fans and am triggering both to come on with the exact switch you posted from Summit. I have both fans coming on at the same time using a single switch. I have never had any trouble with it been like that for 7-8 years. I did find that 30 amp circuit breakers were too small for these fans. I'm running 40 Amp breakers now, one for each motor.