Any proven E-fan controllers besides DCC?

BYRDPE · Sep 5, 2006

Are there any other proven fan controller besides DCC?
If so please provide info on the characteristics and where to purchase.
I have a MV8 fan.
I would really llike to get the DCC unit but I really don't want to wait weeks or months to receive it.
Plus...I have read too many horror stories about unanswered phone calls and emails.

Thanks for the replies.

jrichker · Sep 5, 2006

If you are a skilled electronics tech or engineer, build your own. There is plenty of info on the web about PWM DC motor control.

If not, send your money and wait in line. Everyone who has a DCControl unit is happy with it.

BYRDPE · Sep 5, 2006

jrichker said:
If not, send your money and wait in line. Everyone who has a DCControl unit is happy with it.

Thanks for the reply.
I know DCC is a proven product.
However I know there are ppl on this board that runs a proven unit that I can purchase.
However I also know not everyone that runs an e-fan uses it.

Anyone else care to assist?

Thanks

GreatWhite · Sep 5, 2006

Mine is in the mail as we speak!

Grn92LX · Sep 5, 2006

Lighted switch and a bosch 75a relay is what I use and wouldn't go any other way.

Fett · Sep 5, 2006

I was in the same boat, I didn't want to go with a cheap through-core temp switch, but I couldn't get any reply from DCC. So I went with the VW switch method and a 180* thermostat. The install was easy...if you don't count the two times I tried to cheat my way through it. If you follow the how-to the wiring is easy and it works perfectly.

The only downfall that I can see is that with the DCC it has a soft start feature, so the fan doesn't spike when it comes on....but to me it's not a big deal. I don't have to worry about false readings with a through-core temp switch, so it is very accurate and the fan comes on and off in perfect form. I am happy with it.

Here is the how-to that I used.
http://www.mustangmotorsport.com/fan.html

The only extra thing I am going to do is finally wire in a jumper wire so the fan comes on with my AC, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Oh, and USE DIODES!

HISSIN50 · Sep 5, 2006

FAL and SPAL both make vaguely similar controllers. READ about each before purchasing - there are some characteristics that I don't personally like.

I've also got to add: I've had a lot of contact with Baskin. I've also read some threads where people have reported communication gripes. Now I can't help but wonder about some of the gripers (I've seen how some of them post, their attitudes and some seeming inconsistancies) and how valid their claims are. I trust some of the folks but others.......... I'm not sure I'd want to do business with them in the first place.

In any case, I can only speak for myself. I received my controller slightly ahead of schedule. I received outstanding customer service. And I've contacted Baskin after midnight on a couple occasions (that's my usual time to do such things) and he has replied within minutes! I was inquiring about circuit protection last night (SN95 fan bearing seizure concerns) and he once again got back to me immediately. And I won't speak out of school, but his controller has some features in it's design and construction that I might imagine are not common to some other units out there.

For 10 dollars, someone can cobble together a couple relays and a switch to hold them over for a little while while a controller ships. I'd rather wait a couple weeks for the best than receive a steaming turd in an overnighted box.

Sorry for the tangent. We see the threads where folks gripe and I just wanted to balance it (folks don't normally report great customer service - only bad service).

Just MHO.

baskin · Sep 5, 2006

BYRDPE said:
Are there any other proven fan controller besides DCC?
If so please provide info on the characteristics and where to purchase.
I have a MV8 fan.
I would really llike to get the DCC unit but I really don't want to wait weeks or months to receive it.
Plus...I have read too many horror stories about unanswered phone calls and emails.

Thanks for the replies.

Well, I don't know of anyone who's waited months, do you know of anyone? I looked through the site and didn't find any that people were waiting months and I didn't find that great list of horror stories that you're referring to.

If you don't mind, I'd appreciate you pointing out both the threads where people say that they've waited months, and also that long list of horror stories, from what you say, it must me astronomical in size

795.0pacecar · Sep 5, 2006

I want to get one of the DCC units. Before I knew of the DCC unit I bought the SPAL fan controller and it sucks, every time you unhook the battery you have to reset the temp settings on the controller, to do that you have to unplug the power to the fan then run the engine and press the high and low set buttons when you get to the temps you want the fan to come on at.

BYRDPE · Sep 5, 2006

baskin said:
Well, I don't know of anyone who's waited months, do you know of anyone? I looked through the site and didn't find any that people were waiting months and I didn't find that great list of horror stories that you're referring to.

If you don't mind, I'd appreciate you pointing out both the threads where people say that they've waited months, and also that long list of horror stories, from what you say, it must me astronomical in size

Whoa...
First of all I'm not try to start anything with you buddy.
Second...I'm not going to waste my time posting what I have read about your controllers...good or bad.
You can do your own search on "DCC Controllers" and read them for your self.
I wish I could have gotten a response this fast when I PM'ed you a couple of days ago.
I noticed you were on-line on the Corral and I sent you a PM that I have yet to receive a reply to.
But nevermind...I no longer need it.

Thanks anyway.

Peace

baskin · Sep 5, 2006

With regard to your PM, I have one that is unanswered, and that was from yesterday. Is this the horror story that you’re referring to? I've already done my own search and didn't find what you stated, I realize that you're clearly an important individual, but if your expectations of me are to take time out to immediately reply to your PM, then you should certainly be willing to take the time to point out and clarify what you’re stating here, given that you started the thread. I don't think any reasonable person would disagree with that.

If it’s not worth your time to point these out in order to help me correct these ongoing problems, it’s certainly worth your time to verify what you’ve claimed, otherwise you’ll just end up looking like an underhanded jack ass here, there's no good reason for that. All I’m asking is for you to list these numerous threads where people claim to have waited months, and that long list of horrifying stories of unanswered emails. That’s really not that much to ask, is it?

Enlighten me

BYRDPE · Sep 5, 2006

baskin said:
With regard to your PM, I have one that is unanswered, and that was from yesterday. Is this the horror story that you’re referring to? I've already done my own search and didn't find what you stated, I realize that you're clearly an important individual, but if your expectations of me are to take time out to immediately reply to your PM, then you should certainly be willing to take the time to point out and clarify what you’re stating here, given that you started the thread. I don't think any reasonable person would disagree with that.

If it’s not worth your time to point these out in order to help me correct these ongoing problems, it’s certainly worth your time to verify what you’re stating here, otherwise you’ll just end up looking like an underhanded jack ass, there's no good reason for that. All I’m asking is for you to list these numerous threads where people claim to have waited months, and that long list of horrifying stories of unanswered emails. That’s really not that much to ask, is it?

Enlighten me

You're kidding right.
Don't you have about 100 or so controllers needing your attention at this moment?
Evidently you have something to prove or disprove to your customers or potential customers.
You have one in this thread that states his calls or emails went unanswered.
You have more on the Corral.
Do your own homework.
As for looking like a jackass...what I care about what ppl think you could balance it on top if a finishing nail.
So you have a business and you have to try and defend it this way?
I'm stating what I read and experienced and I stand by it.
I don't care what you want me to post...your customer service just plain sucks...get over it.

795.0pacecar · Sep 5, 2006

Chill out guys.

If you make a statement it is your job to prove it not the other persons. IMO. From what I've seen, for every negative experience posted about Mr. Baskin's controller or customer cervice, there are 10 others posted about how awesome his product and customer service is.

baskin · Sep 6, 2006

Fett said:
I was in the same boat, I didn't want to go with a cheap through-core temp switch, but I couldn't get any reply from DCC. So I went with the VW switch method and a 180* thermostat. The install was easy...if you don't count the two times I tried to cheat my way through it. If you follow the how-to the wiring is easy and it works perfectly.

The only downfall that I can see is that with the DCC it has a soft start feature, so the fan doesn't spike when it comes on....but to me it's not a big deal. I don't have to worry about false readings with a through-core temp switch, so it is very accurate and the fan comes on and off in perfect form. I am happy with it.

Here is the how-to that I used.
http://www.mustangmotorsport.com/fan.html

!

Luke87GT said:
First of all, I discovered that when I puked coolant all over the floor this week, a good deal of the hot coolant got all over my Hayden fan controller and fried it. The fan will no longer activate. I am waiting on a thermal switch so I can get my fan working again.
I went ahead and tried running the car again anyway, this time with the cap on. Once it reached operating temp, I noticed coolant was trickling from where the cap seals to the radiator. Now either there is just too much pressure in the system or the cap is just old. It is an oem cap, so just for insurance, I bought a new cap which had a lot more resistance when placing it on the radiator. It should offer a better seal.

I also pulled out the thermostat and discovered that it was a stock 192* Motorcraft stat. I totally thought I did a 180 when I first got the car. Must have confused it with my '87. It had a small bleed hole at 12 oclock from the factory.

I bought a new 180* stat from Autozone. I put both stats in a pot with water and placed them on the kitchen stove with a thermometer, as MFE described. Sure enough, the 180 opened at 180 and the 192 opened around 192. Although the autozone 180 opened quite a bit more than the 192 when both were fully open. I drilled a 1/8" hole at 12 oclock in the new 180 stat.

I then went to the yard and got a new thermostat housing. I will drill and tap it and use a thermal switch with 75 amp relay to activate the fan. Going to the vw dealership to pick up the switch I need this week. I did some research and found that an 83 rabbit 1.8L has the switch I need in the correct operating range. No more cheap controllers. The Hayden is a huge pos.

Hopefully everthing will be fine.
Meanwhile, I also went ahead and pulled the plugs just to see if I could see one of the different from all the others. They all looked consistent. I have also detected zero white smoke, no oil in water, no water in oil, and not exhaust smell in the radiator. So it does not look like a HG.
I should have it all assembled this week when my fan switch is here. I will post the results as I get them.

Luke87GT said:
Electric Fan with a quality controller can be made to be much more efficient.
Take a look at the article I wrote:
http://www.mustangmotorsport.com/fan.html

Hmmm

BYRDPE · Sep 6, 2006

Ok...let's see if we can turn this thread around to achieve a positive outcome.
I stated in the beginning of this thread that I wanted one of your units but didn't want to wait a long period of time.
I still would like to order one of your units.
So this is an opportunity for us both....you to make a sell and for me to get one of the proven controllers on the market.
How 'bout it?

BDASPNY · Sep 6, 2006

well i don't know about all the arguing. i had seen it takes a few weeks to get the unit. i know he is just one person. everything i read pointed to dcc as the superior product. so i bought one. waited a few weeks no problem. it went on as per his detalied instructions and has worked flawlessly the entire time. i would never buy a diff unit after this.

Fett · Sep 6, 2006

baskin said:
Hmmm

Taking into account the hostile tone this thread has taken, may I ask what this was about?

I didn't say anything negative about your company, other than I didn't get a response from an e-mail, which I didn't. I chose to go the simple and inexpensive route and use a VW switch. As a matter of fact, I even pointed out the biggest upside to your product, in my opinion.

Just curious as to why you quoted a few of us who didn't chose your product.

Thank you.

Black Sun 5.0 · Sep 6, 2006

To be fair, I have seen a negative post or two (I know of one in the TALK section) about DCC/Baskin. The one that stands out in particular, well, it seemed like things weren't happening fast enough when the poster snapped his fingers. Not to say that Baskin is perfect, either, since I've had an email or two from some time back not answered. I just assume that an email can be overlooked, it happens. I'm on my second controller, my first died within six months of installation, if not sooner. I ordered a second one, and have not had a problem since, which is probably 2 years, if not longer, on a daily driver (it gets tough to keep track of these things). I like the controller myself, and it has to be understood that electronic devices WILL fail from time to time, it's almost inevitable. I would replace the current controller if this one failed with the same unit. By the way, Baskin, relating to the first one that failed on me, I noticed there was corrosion around the terminals on that one. Any reason you can think of and is there any way of preventing this? Thanks.

srothfuss · Sep 6, 2006

I loved my controller. The only time I had any issues with it was after I used a JY 3G alternator with a faulty regulator... Baskin went out of his way to help me in my situation and I still can't thank him enough.

IMO a DCC unit is by far the best way to control any electric fan which is not otherwise tied into an OEM system (ECU, Cooling System, etc.)

It's a great product and it's worth waiting for.

50FoxBodyGT · Sep 6, 2006

Read this guys.....

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2003/02/electricfan/index.php

Any proven E-fan controllers besides DCC?

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