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Electric fan install questions...

  • Thread starter Thread starter KINGKAOS
  • Start date Start date Apr 27, 2009
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jrichker

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#21
  • Apr 29, 2009
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Wire size to current capacity and length chart...

Remember that wire size current capacity and fuse or circuit breaker size have to
match. The fuse is there to protect the wire. Over sizing a fuse because it blows is a
sure way to have an electrical fire.

Always use automotive wire or wire with a 105 degree C (257 degree F) rating.
The under hood temperatures will melt or soften the insulation on ordinary household wire.


 
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KINGKAOS

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#22
  • Apr 29, 2009
  • #22
So, looking at that chart and if I'm understanding it correctly.. The 8awg wire w/ an 40amp fuse I'm gonna use will be fine!?!

Thanx
 

LiquidGT

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#23
  • Apr 29, 2009
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KINGKAOS said:
So, looking at that chart and if I'm understanding it correctly.. The 8awg wire w/ an 40amp fuse I'm gonna use will be fine!?!

Thanx
Click to expand...

Make sure its a MAXI fuse, a regular fuse will blow fast. Maxi fuses are made to handle big start up spikes, like what the Mark VIII fan puts out. The Maxi fuse is whats in the fuse box in the for the fan in the Mark VIII.


The big one is a Maxi, you can get the fuse holder at a car audio place.

 
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KINGKAOS

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#24
  • Apr 29, 2009
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What would be diffirent with using the glass AGU fuse then the maxi fuse? Any benefit?

Thanx
 

jrichker

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LiquidGT said:
Make sure its a MAXI fuse, a regular fuse will blow fast. Maxi fuses are made to handle big start up spikes, like what the Mark VIII fan puts out. The Maxi fuse is whats in the fuse box in the for the fan in the Mark VIII.


The big one is a Maxi, you can get the fuse holder at a car audio place.

Click to expand...

I didn't know that. That's what I like about StangNet: always an opportunity to learn something new. We all know a piece here and a part there, and can learn from each other.
 

LiquidGT

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#26
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KINGKAOS said:
What would be diffirent with using the glass AGU fuse then the maxi fuse? Any benefit?


Thanx
Click to expand...



All I know is that I've been using the Maxi with success.

jrichker said:
I didn't know that. That's what I like about StangNet: always an opportunity to learn something new. We all know a piece here and a part there, and can learn from each other.
Click to expand...

When I did my fan no one could help me, so I trolled around the Mark VIII forums to see what fuse came stock, I found that some of them like to wire a manual override for the fan and they were using the Maxi fuse. The Taurus and most other Fords use that big fuse for the fans too. Then I did a search on circuit protection... fuse links and Maxi's are made to handle current spikes, except the Maxi is soooo much more modern.
 

HISSIN50

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#27
  • Apr 30, 2009
  • #27
LiquidGT said:
When I did my fan no one could help me, so I trolled around the Mark VIII forums to see what fuse came stock, I found that some of them like to wire a manual override for the fan and they were using the Maxi fuse. The Taurus and most other Fords use that big fuse for the fans too.
Click to expand...

Going a smidge further, SN95's use a 60 amp (IIRC) Maxi for the circuit protection.
 

Mustang5L5

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#28
  • Nov 26, 2010
  • #28
HISSIN50 said:
Going a smidge further, SN95's use a 60 amp (IIRC) Maxi for the circuit protection.
Click to expand...


They do use a 60a maxi.

Which leads me to a question...

I'm redoing my fan wiring. I have an adjustable fan controller, which will activate a Bosch 75a relay. The fan wiring will come off the pos side of the solenoid, to a maxi fuse fuse, and through the 75a relay and to an sn95 fan.

Was going to use 10 gauge wiring, but according to themchart above, a 60a is too much for 10g. I should be using 6ga wiring? That's huge! It's only a 3 foot wire run.

How do they use a 60a with these fans from the factory, and not run wire that size?
 

jrichker

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#29
  • Nov 27, 2010
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Mustang5L5 said:
They do use a 60a maxi.

Which leads me to a question...

I'm redoing my fan wiring. I have an adjustable fan controller, which will activate a Bosch 75a relay. The fan wiring will come off the pos side of the solenoid, to a maxi fuse fuse, and through the 75a relay and to an sn95 fan.

Was going to use 10 gauge wiring, but according to themchart above, a 60a is too much for 10g. I should be using 6ga wiring? That's huge! It's only a 3 foot wire run.

How do they use a 60a with these fans from the factory, and not run wire that size?
Click to expand...

They use short lengths of wire... Plus they are cheap and prone to undersizing things.

You are going to need an ammeter in series with the fan to find the actual steady state running current. That's what Ford would have used to to figure the wire size.

Wire size to current capacity and length chart...

Remember that wire size current capacity and fuse or circuit breaker size have to match. The fuse is there to protect the wire. Over sizing a fuse because it blows is a sure way to have an electrical fire.

Always use automotive wire or wire with a 105 degree C (257 degree F) rating. The under hood temperatures will melt or soften the insulation on ordinary household wire.


 

Mustang5L5

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#30
  • Nov 28, 2010
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I'll prob stick to the 10g wire and keep the runs as short as possible. The factory fan pigtail uses 10g wire. I'm using my fan controller to open and close a bosche 75a relay.

I'll check my draw with a meter then pick a maxi fuse accordingly. A fuseible link might be a good idea too, but id rather go with a fuse and undersized it and just carry a spare in my little in-car tool kit


Still looking for a cllean ay to mount the controller, relay and fuse holder....
 
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