Hry all, i purchased a dual fan set up out of a 2000 dodge intrepid for my skylark. i think i would like to set it up so it has high and low settings. i believe that i would like to wire it into my thermostat to come on automatically. how would i go about doing this and how would i wire it up. the fans have 2 black wires and one yellow and one green wire. i also just installed a new 21 circuit fuse block (from EZ-Wiring). i guess i would also like to know if this would be the best way to do it or just wire it up to a 3 way switch...
1. You will need to buy a relay for each fan, and run the power direct from the battery. The switching side of the relay you run to a line off the ignition switch- but do not try to power your fans from the fusebox or the ignition switch. 2. Buy a thermostatic control unit for the fans (Summit has a bunch of them). 3. Install an inline fuse for the fans. Beware- fans are power hungry, and there really isn't a place to plug into your electrical system without blowing fuses and melting wires- you have to create a new link- from the battery- unless you want to see things go up in flames. I just installed a Flex-o-lite fan in my '64 Lark, and it was necessary to upgrade my alternator to handle the amp draw, which is nearly 30 amps, twice what the fan manufacturer stated in their marketing materials... The thermostatic fan controls work very nicely- I have an adjustable one from Summit.
I recently installed a duel fan set up in my Riv deleting the clutch fan. advance auto sells a thermostatic switch for duel fans with a probe the goes through the radiator fins. 35.00$ very easy to install. works like a charm. It is adjustable to come on and off at different temps.
Why should i need a hot wire directly to my fan if i have a newer fuse panel with a wire dedicated to electric fans? newer cars that have electric fans dont use a direct hot to the battery. and isnt that what relay's are for? and i also want the fan to have a high and low speed like newer cars have. maybe low speed comes on @ 175 deg. and high comes on @ 200 deg. (just using those numbers for example)
If you have a fuse box that is set up to handle 2 electric fans- great- run some fat wires to the fuse box. Otherwise, you will need a relay and a connection to the battery.
Something to consider here, guys, is that the aftermarket motors typically draw more current than the originals do. Further, the dual fan set-up will more than double the draw over a single set-up. That will typically require a wire size change, and relays capable of carrying more current, or double relay set-ups. Be sure of the set-up, or you may end up with blown fuses and dead batteries. Something else to consider here is that if everything else is up to par, it is very possible that the alternator will require upgrading for capacity. Single motors typically draw 25 amps at startup, and draw something close to 15 amps at speed. Double these readings for dual motors, and if the motor is run at a reduced speed, the current draw, and motor heating will increase. Electric motor current draws are at their peak at start-up, the the draw drops as the speed increases. Be sure of what you have before you start.
The Temp switch I used that I bought at Advance Auto has the main power and grounds directly to the battery. There is 2 control wires that go to the ing switch or any other switched power source and a wire that connects into the A/C compressor ciriut so the fans come on at high speed when the A/C is turned on been running for 2 weeks now with no problem. my fans were designed for a 2000 - 2003 impala or monte. I adapted them to fit my Riv. looks factory.
Use relays! Stay away from your fuse panel, except to power the relays, otherwise you won't need any electric fans - just wieneys for the wieney roast. I've got a fuse between the panel and the relay and then more fusing between the relay and the fan. All "modern" cars power the fan through a relay. FYI, with the right radiator you'll rarely even need a fan. I turn mine on about 5 percent of my drive time.
BadBrad, I plan on using a relay but im not sure why i need to run a wire directly to the battery (it is in the trunk and i am trying to cut down on engine clutter). I have a brand new 21 circuit fuse block with a dedicated fuse to "electric fan". I will use 2 relay's if needed too. also i removed the original wiring harness and there is a 3 wire relay on it, can i use that for one of my relay's?
My suggestion to run a wire to the battery was based on my own experiences with vehicles much older than yours- if you have an appropriate connection at the fuse box to run a fat gauge wire for power, then all you need is a relay, a thermo control for the fans, and a long length of fat wire. Since the battery is right next to my thermo control, I ran a short 10 gauge wire with a 40 amp inline fuse from the battery to my relay to power my fan. It was just simpler that way (for me).... the primary switching for the fan is run off my ignition switch to the relay, but that connection doesn't have much current going through it... There is more than one way to skin a cat- just don't run some long skinny wires to power your fans!!:beer David
After he melts some wires or frys the fuse block he will run relays and a direct source to the Battery.
