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Windstar Fans
- Thread starter 73k10sub
- Start date
yeah, its a member only thread... but, you're in luck, the author hosts it off on another server which you can view
http://users.adelphia.net/~bcnelson/truck/electricfans.html
enjoy.
the diagram looks like crap on that page, just click it and it will bring up a much better picture for you
http://users.adelphia.net/~bcnelson/truck/electricfans.html
enjoy.
the diagram looks like crap on that page, just click it and it will bring up a much better picture for you
think_07
Registered Member
Sorry for the thread jack, but I didn't want to start a new one..I have read that an electic fan conversion will never pull as much air as stock type engine driven fan, is that true? I have also heard that when running in water or mud an electic fan will get bogged down very easily and you will loose your cooling. I really liked the idea of an electric fan and was planning on installing one before I had heard this, The truck im currently building will be used in all types off roading so I'd hate to overheat it when I head into the mud..
Neither is true.
A large enough electric cooling fan (you didn't say how big
) will pull more air than a factory non-electric fan. Real problem is, no one (that has come forth anyways) knows what the stock fans move CFM-wise, so we don't have the data to say authoritatively what CFM you'd need from an electric to match stock. We DO know based on what people have done thus far, that the Windstar fans cool just about every engine out there.
If you are in water deep enough to hit the fans, you don't need them anyways, water is a much better coolant. In any case, they are better than mechanical fans in this case, as you can shut them off. Mechanical fan blades will pull forward, potentially taking your radiator out.
A large enough electric cooling fan (you didn't say how big
) will pull more air than a factory non-electric fan. Real problem is, no one (that has come forth anyways) knows what the stock fans move CFM-wise, so we don't have the data to say authoritatively what CFM you'd need from an electric to match stock. We DO know based on what people have done thus far, that the Windstar fans cool just about every engine out there. If you are in water deep enough to hit the fans, you don't need them anyways, water is a much better coolant.
In any case, they are better than mechanical fans in this case, as you can shut them off. Mechanical fan blades will pull forward, potentially taking your radiator out.
the entire idea of the electric fan is that you can shut it down when you hit water, thus eliminating the huge drag that a normal fan would cause when submerged.
As far as cooling: water is better than air for cooling, the reason is two fold:
1) water is generally cooler than air, radiators work based on thermal gradients, the bigger the temp difference, the better they cool, so you actually cool better with your radiator submerged in water. if you ever cross water that is warmer than the ambient air, then it could be a problem, but unless you are playing in hot springs, i dont think its an issue.
2) water has a MUCH higher heat capacity than air, so the same volume of fluid can absorb MUCH more heat than air. So to get the same amount of net cooling you would only need to move a small amount of water compared to the amount of air. This is basically accomplished by the vehicle's speed through the water, no need for a fan to move it
As far as cooling: water is better than air for cooling, the reason is two fold:
1) water is generally cooler than air, radiators work based on thermal gradients, the bigger the temp difference, the better they cool, so you actually cool better with your radiator submerged in water. if you ever cross water that is warmer than the ambient air, then it could be a problem, but unless you are playing in hot springs, i dont think its an issue.
2) water has a MUCH higher heat capacity than air, so the same volume of fluid can absorb MUCH more heat than air. So to get the same amount of net cooling you would only need to move a small amount of water compared to the amount of air. This is basically accomplished by the vehicle's speed through the water, no need for a fan to move it
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think_07
Registered Member
Thanks alot for clearing that up, I am thinking either the windstar fans or the volvo fan that I have seen an article about also.
garlicbreath
1/2 ton status
I run 2 F-body fans, a low speed one and a high speed one, on separate stats, and have NEVER overheated,. I went with these because the fan motors are so widely available, most late 80's early 90's gm fan motors will bolt in. But you have to make sure you do a good clean job with the install and wiring. I have seen way to many guys stuck on the trail, or on the way to the trail because of loose wires, bad crimps, cheap fuse holders, crappy thermostats switches, etc. All things that never happen with a good old super simple mechanical fan.
Plus mud and water plays havoc on all that wiring too.
Check out a 98+ ford crown vic fan from a taxi or a cop car, they are on ebay under 100.00 new and are way bigger than a windstar fan. They fit the radiator pretty good too.
Plus mud and water plays havoc on all that wiring too.
Check out a 98+ ford crown vic fan from a taxi or a cop car, they are on ebay under 100.00 new and are way bigger than a windstar fan. They fit the radiator pretty good too.
lak2004
1/2 ton status
The windstar fans or any electric fan is a great upgrado IMO. You have so many control options available in a fan or control unit. Run them off of a switch or t-stat and have a master switch to turn them off for water/mud. I did the windstar mod and the only thing I want to change is the mounting.
Col_Sanders
3/4 ton status
What temps do you have yours coming on at?
Neither is true.
A large enough electric cooling fan (you didn't say how big
I don't think that the windstar fans move as much air as the stock fan, but they're on the higher end (for airflow) for junkyard fans and they are really easy to find.
As aforementioned, one advantage to electric fans is that you can shut them off when you're going through water/mud.
Lots of people that swap to electric fans have cooling problems (including those with windstar fans) so that's something to consider. K5's do have good cooling systems to begin with (in general) and bigger radiators are very easy to fit.
Col_Sanders
3/4 ton status
Right now I have them both on through a manual switch.
I just ordered the Painless kit for one fan, which is on at 200 off at 185. I also bought another one that is adjustable for the other fan and I am running a 180* thermostat. I am going to have a manual switch on both as well.
I just ordered the Painless kit for one fan, which is on at 200 off at 185. I also bought another one that is adjustable for the other fan and I am running a 180* thermostat. I am going to have a manual switch on both as well.
I don't know what the cfm's of the mechanical are, but with both windstars running, mine pulls way more air than it did with the mechanical... heck, I only run the one...
Is it even possible to test the CFM that the stock fan moves?
I suspect that it would still only be a ballpark, since there is such a huge variety in fan blade setups, and the fans are going to have different ratings at different RPM's.
I suspect that it would still only be a ballpark, since there is such a huge variety in fan blade setups, and the fans are going to have different ratings at different RPM's.
1978Blazerk5
1/2 ton status
Funny this poped up i was just gonna make a new thread asking about these things.
There is a Windstar on Craigslist that the guy is parting out and i was thinking about getting the fans off of it.
If i decide to do that what should i expect to pay.
sorry for the hijack
There is a Windstar on Craigslist that the guy is parting out and i was thinking about getting the fans off of it.
If i decide to do that what should i expect to pay.
sorry for the hijack
I've never seen a # associated with it...
then again I don't ever remember seeing a factory notation of cfm rating of their electrics.. just the aftermarket...
my shroud may be helping me out in that.. seems to be exceptionally efficient...
then again I don't ever remember seeing a factory notation of cfm rating of their electrics.. just the aftermarket...
my shroud may be helping me out in that.. seems to be exceptionally efficient...
rwright07
1/2 ton status
i think i know i payed under 30 for my windstars, if you can, get the weatherproof connectors that plug into the fan motors, just cut them off 6" or so from the plug.
it will make life easier
rick
it will make life easier
rick
Dafey
1/2 ton status
I paid $52 shipped off Evil-bay.Snail mailed the payment and got it in less than 2 weeks.But thats unusal....because its a company I think.But I saw them from $30 up to $150.If you can just check every day until you find one.
Any one have or willing to take close ups of how you mounted yours?That link doesnt work out good for me,its all squished together.I can pretty much read it but the pics come out bad.
chevy wrangler
1/2 ton status
anyone have pics of there set up??
I cut the bottom off of the factory shroud and bolted it to the bottom of the windstar fans. I cut the top off of the factory shroud and used that at the top of the radiator. I made this bracket to hold the relays to power the fans with a #6 wire off of the alternator. then made a couple brackets to hold the windstar fans in place. Got the plugs for the fans from Napa. Cheaper at the bone yard, but couldn't find any around here.
Tarey
Tarey
