Anyone using a electric cooling fan? What kind of temp. switch are you using? How is your system wired? Do you use a relay with the temp switch or do you run the relay from the ignition switch? I am considering a spring project and was curious how others may have wired a fan. thanks, Don
generally you can hook up the fan(maybe donated from a late model salvage car) by adding a "bosch" type relay(30 amp) like that comes with most nice sets of driving lights.... also available at most parts stores, radio shacks or local stereo shops( i prefer good stereo shops ... they often have nice weather resistant relays). or you could get the relay from the donor car also. you also need a coolant fan switch (maybe also from the donor car) find a place to mount the relay, somewhere between the battery and the electric fan... the relay terminals will be numbered ... since the relay coil does not pull much amperage, you can use 18 gauge wire to run to terminals # 85 and 86 #85 will need to be hooked up to the coolant fan switch(which will ground this wire once the motor gets up to a specified temperature and then, UN-ground the wire once a specified lower temperature has benn achieved). #86 will hook to a wire in your harness that has 12 volts when the key is in the run position but does NOT have 12 volts present when the key is in the acc position(being hooked up this way will shut the fan off when the key is turned off .... that way severe drainage of your battery will not be a problem next time you try to start the car). #30 can be hooked up directly to the battery positive with a fuse holder in line near the battery and with a fuse rated at 30 amps (also available from a good car stereo shop). this wire should be at least 10 gauge. #87 connects to the fans positive wire.....this wire should also be at least 10 gauge. the fans ground wire should be well grounded to the vehicle. if you have any questions feel free to let me know itsyuk@aol.com this is the basics of the install.... sometimes results vary depending on the application... but in the end..... any minor problems can be easily solved.
Check the "junkyard jewels" section of the board for fan applications. Personally I've had good success with the CSI unit Summit sells with the electronic gauge, relay, and all the wiring. Check it out.:TU: Jerry
Flex-a-lite sells a thermostatic relay that turns the fan(s) on automatically. A few extra bucks, but works nicely. The relay uses a temperature probe that goes into the radiator (where the coolant hose is attached), and you can set the relay to come on at your desired temperature. I think the last time I checked, they were $25. -Bob Cunningham bobc@gnttype.org
painless wiring I used the wiring setup from Painless Wiring. Not cheap (about $60) but is high quality and dirt simple. You get the relay, thermo switch, and a circuit breaker. I run a double fan setup and it work great. can send some pics if you want them
