Slapperbar
Retired Navy NDT Examiner
Don't forget the trigger for A/C on the second fan.
CK5
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Electric Fans
- Thread starter cabledawg
- Start date
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
I'm not running a traditional AC setup. I kinda rednecked it with style. Lo-pro RV rooftop AC with an inverter for power.
Kjunky5
1/2 ton status
Subscribed for future reference
Slapperbar
Retired Navy NDT Examiner
So you aren't using the stock a/c at all?I'm not running a traditional AC setup. I kinda rednecked it with style. Lo-pro RV rooftop AC with an inverter for power.
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
THe stock AC (Burb with rear AC) was giving me fits and after seeing what others on here spent to fix theirs, and some still not getting excellent results, I decided to forego the stock setup. All that is pulled out is the pump as the bracket broke one day and I havent been able to find one since.
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
One last question: you guys running the thermostat before or after the relay? I was thinking before so that the relay is handling all the amperage and the controlleris just doing the switching. Whadya think?
BILTIT
1/2 ton status
What controller? The thermostat should be wired into the controller and the output from the controller to the fans should have the relay which switches the power on/off.
Yeah, the temp switch(es) just provide the path to ground for the ignition 12V wiring to switch the relay's.
Small wire in from ignition 12V, small wire out to temp switch.
Big wire in from battery, big wire out to fan motor.
Small wire in from ignition 12V, small wire out to temp switch.
Big wire in from battery, big wire out to fan motor.
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
Alright I installed the one fan that I got so far. I pulled the AC condensor (or evaporator, whatever is front of the radiator) and put the fan on the backside. Took the mech fan off and installed the controller. Robbed the relay off the air horn that doesnt work well anyways. Wired everything up and with the truck on, everything clicks on and off like it should, but the fan wont come on. So I bypassed the relay and ran the fan straight off the controller. Now it comes on and blew dust all over the place. Good sign.
Next morning I pull the truck out and open the hood. Instantly the truck starts warming up. I think the mech fan clutch was bad cuz the truck never warmed up this quick before. Truck gets up to about 200 and I set the fan on temp there. I left it running for a while adn watched to make sure the fan turned on and off like it should and it does.
So I decided to go drive around to see if it would hold the temp. As soon as the truck started moving, the temp went down to around 100. Never went above that the whole time I drove around. So my next purchase is a 195 thermostat for the engine and a new relay for the fan.
Now I only have enough room for a 12" fan next to the 16" and still have it inside the edges of the radiator. So I think I'm going to get another 16, but convert it to a pusher and put in front of the radiator. Anyone see anything wrong with doing this, or has anyone had problems with running a pusher and a puller?
Next morning I pull the truck out and open the hood. Instantly the truck starts warming up. I think the mech fan clutch was bad cuz the truck never warmed up this quick before. Truck gets up to about 200 and I set the fan on temp there. I left it running for a while adn watched to make sure the fan turned on and off like it should and it does.
So I decided to go drive around to see if it would hold the temp. As soon as the truck started moving, the temp went down to around 100. Never went above that the whole time I drove around. So my next purchase is a 195 thermostat for the engine and a new relay for the fan.
Now I only have enough room for a 12" fan next to the 16" and still have it inside the edges of the radiator. So I think I'm going to get another 16, but convert it to a pusher and put in front of the radiator. Anyone see anything wrong with doing this, or has anyone had problems with running a pusher and a puller?
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
if it's cooling ok with only one fan, why not just keep it that way?
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
Cuz its only 30 deg outside right now and this truck sees towing duty inthe summertime. Two just to be safe, never knowwhat might happen, but I dont want to find out.
Pushers typically don't work as well. Twin pullers IMO.
Slapperbar
Retired Navy NDT Examiner
X2 on the pullers.
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
Well I'll have to get a 12" for my auxillary fan which is fine since I'm just using it to augment the primary during the summer.
You know what was funny was when I got the controller, the instructions said to put the temp probe in the top radiator hose. I thought the probe went into the fins on the radiator? I put it there anyways, but has anyone else ever seen it in the radiator hose?
You know what was funny was when I got the controller, the instructions said to put the temp probe in the top radiator hose. I thought the probe went into the fins on the radiator? I put it there anyways, but has anyone else ever seen it in the radiator hose?
ive only seen it on the upper rad. hose.
If I am reading this right - you have a single fan and no shroud. Am I reading that wrong?
If that's the case - get/make a fan shroud that covers the entire radiator and draws all the air on the backside through the fan.
If that's the case - get/make a fan shroud that covers the entire radiator and draws all the air on the backside through the fan.
cabledawg
Secret Squirrel
Here's what I've done so far. I wasnt planning on using anything for a shroud as the fan pulls alot of air through the radiator. I am planning on installing a second fan, but the question I posted earlier was whether I should get another 16" and make it a pusher in front of the radiator, or get a 12" puller and run it next to the 16. So far the consesus is pushers suck, so I'll get the 12 on payday and a second controller.
Slapperbar
Retired Navy NDT Examiner
The only thing I see is that you need to place the temp. probe next to the water inlet on the rad., not the middle. That way you get the temp from the engine and not half way thru the rad. The fans will come on sooner.
I'd recommend not mounting them to the radiator like that. Those ties apparently like to wear through the radiator causing leaks. I'd at least come up with a framework that holds the fans as close to the radiator as possible.
Shrouds are a tough call. GM did that on electric fan equipped motors, but if you've got enough cooling without them (only time will tell) you don't need them obviously. Mine is missing a good 2"+ at the top of the radiator that isn't covered by shrouding, but the fans work fine. I am also in a temperate climate.
Shrouds are a tough call. GM did that on electric fan equipped motors, but if you've got enough cooling without them (only time will tell) you don't need them obviously. Mine is missing a good 2"+ at the top of the radiator that isn't covered by shrouding, but the fans work fine. I am also in a temperate climate.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I agree with ^. I have a small shroud and the one 14" fan I have can cool it no problem in the summer heat.
