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Windstar electric fans

pblaze725

pblaze725

build bash rebuild
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I picked one up from the junkyard. I am interested in how you guys wired them up.
The search button lead me to a dead end.

If you use a temp switch would it be better to have the sensor on the radiator fins or could you possibly use the sending unit on the engine block?

I know I could easily use a toggle switch but I tend to forget things and wouldn't want to forget to turn on the fan.

I even read that some folks use one fan on a temp switch and the other on a toggle. ... and what about relays, fuses etc??

Please post up picks, wiring diagrams, or just some good 'ol horse sense so people who use the [SEARCH] have something to reference.

Thanks:popcorn:
 
OK, you asked for it.......
This is the all time, ultimate, never to be beaten, Windstar fan install thread.

Get some popcorn, grab some paper and pencil to make notes, or do screen captures, and be prepared to spend some time.
If there is a question or concept not covered by this, its probably not worth knowing.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267400

I just hope all the diagrams and pictures are still there......
 
Yep, that was an awesome install. I was proud of what little I brought to the table. But be sure to read it all the way through.
There was a lot of evolution that went on, especially in the wiring. Many changes and upgrades were done, and problems were identified and corrected.
 
My junkyard JIMMY isn't getting the royal custom install.
I have been thinking about it this is where my mind is:

I'm thinking about going with a single 3way switch.

1-default position- on with ignition power
2- emergency off for river crossings & extra cold morning startups
3- emergency on for just in case I overheat & need to sit & chill.
Mounting- no problem I can make some mounts.

I have the diesel radiator, I'm thinking about possibly fusing the big shroud & the fan together.:dunno:

I want to keep it stoopid simple. I'm not going to fab up a custom waterproof circuit board and all that fancy stuff.
1 switch, a fuse & maybe a relay.

opinions, experiences, flamethrowers???

Now I have to go back & finish reading the thread Fordum posted. Good stuff in there...:popcorn:


...just got a new camera so pics to follow soon.
 
I have a quick question. whats so great about windstar fans specifically? I have a pair of fans I got out of a 90s camaro that seem to be working fine, so I'm just curious what makes windstar fans the default of choice.
 
ashman said:
I have a quick question. whats so great about windstar fans specifically? I have a pair of fans I got out of a 90s camaro that seem to be working fine, so I'm just curious what makes windstar fans the default of choice.
Click to expand...

Cheap, plentiful, easy to find , and the shroud is a pretty close fit to a GM radiator.
 
The electric fans are way more efficient. They cool 10 bizallion times better and do not create a drag on the engine.
Using an electric fan can get you better MPG's too if you are into that sort of thing.
 
Ive been thinking about windstar fan's myself, guess Ill have to keep my eyes open next time Im at a Junkyard.....
 
ashman said:
I have a quick question. whats so great about windstar fans specifically? I have a pair of fans I got out of a 90s camaro that seem to be working fine, so I'm just curious what makes windstar fans the default of choice.
Click to expand...

Supposedly not only are they plentiful, fit really close to stock size, but somewhere here I read where they are probably the most efficient and move the most air.
I know I have not heard of anyone having overheating problems after the conversion.
 
I picked up a windstar fan at the junkyard awhile back for cheap, $25.00 I think. Its on my to do list.
 
I need to grab one.....and a charcoal cannister...minor fire to repair.
 
jt512 said:
the shroud is a pretty close fit to a GM radiator.
Click to expand...
ok, that makes sense. the camaro fans I am using have a shroud that is a bit smaller than my radiator. they seem to work just fine, but I could see where a better fit would be...better.
 
I did the winstar fan thing when I replaced the radiator. I wired it up so each fan can be turned on and off from the cab. I have bought the sensor and the new thermostat housing but have never installed it. The thought is that when the electric switch hits 195 it kicks on the first (larger) fan, then if it hits 210 then the second fan kicks on. I got the electric swicth from an automotive electrical shop here in town it's actually a cole-hersee part and I seem to remember it wasn't but 20 bucks. I picked up the thermostat housing from autozone for 10- 12 bucks and instead of mounting it in the block I was going to install it in the housing, just haven't gotten around to it. This spring I have a lot of electrical parts I have been stocking so I think I'll take a couple of days off and mount all of that crap up. If not for any other reason but so I don't have to hear the wife complain about tripping over the wires. I keep telling her to pick her feet up and she wouldn't have that problem, but you know women!!!
 
How did I miss this ? Well, I'm on board at this point should there be any other questions.

And, for what its worth - I still haven't "needed" the secondary fan even in last summer's TX heat.


  • I have no complaints or disappointments of my Windstar choice over the smaller MkVIIIs single fan two speed set up.

  • The overboard installation I fabbed was my choice and obviously not necessary for a functioning system.

  • The information and pics in that thread will never turn up missing. I also just scrolled the whole thing to make sure it was all still there - It is, except for one smiley for some reason.


Thanks for the compliment, Fordum




Troy B
Ft Hood, TX
 
Last edited:
Planning

I learned a lot from reading your thread Lunatic. Thanks for taking the time and being so thorough.

This is going to be a learning thread, not a teaching thread. I don't know Jack from Adam when it comes to wiring.

You know what they say...


:sign6:...So here we go.



windstar fan.jpg Windstar fan 30" x 18" pulled from the junkyard.I hot wired it to the battery & they both work and are quiet.



windstar fan switch.jpg

I am thinking about using this toggle switch. It's a marine ON-OFF-ON and I can put a rocket switch cover over it so when closed it would be in the ignition power on position.

windstar fan relay...jpg 50 amp relay

Windstar fan relay.jpg I like the pre-wired relay plug.


I still haven't decided if I want to 2 separate switches or if I will hook them up to one. I'm leaning toward one, I'm an all or nothin kind of guy.

Questions-

-If I hook them both to 1 switch will a 30 amp relay be enough or do I need to bump it up to a 60?

-What is the difference between a SPDT and DPDT switches?

Link to wiring products:http://www.wiringproducts.com/index.html

windstar fan.jpg

windstar fan switch.jpg

Windstar fan relay.jpg

windstar fan relay...jpg
 
If you hook them up to one switch.....

You can hook 2 relays to one switch, and let the relays do the work individually, one 30A per fan. There shouldn't be any amp or voltage issues with throwing just the relays (Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.).


SPDT / Single pole double throw.....

A single switch controlling two circuits individually. One throw can turn on one fan, the second throw can turn on the other - But only one at a time.


DPDT / Double pole double thow.....

A single switch controlling two circuits in parallel. One double throw can control two circuits. One throw can turn on one fan and "something else", and the second throw can turn on both fans at the same time, one per pole.


Switch info



I brought this across from my install thread.....

Windstar Fan Swap List


While some of this stuff has obvious locations - Some of it does not. It took me more than 2 months to find the maintained DPDT rocker switch. The fan and dual temp switch - I'd grab those from a wrecking yard - Links are only for reference.



Hope this helps.




Troy B
Ft Hood, TX
 
Hmm.. :thinking:

Which switch/ relay combo would give me this?:

ON- both fans on- (constant power)
OFF-both fans off-
ON- 1 fan on- (ignition power)
 
Double pole, double throw, maintained, center off.
But, you still need the relays.
Also, a diode unless you go triple pole double throw, maintained, center off. Or an extra relay.

Extra relay is better. Then all you need is a DPDT Center Off.
 
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