electric fan

enferno · Sep 19, 2006

a buddy of mine gave me an 11" tripac electric fan.

it already has a relay, but what else do i need to get this thing to work?

thanks!

LazerStang760 · Sep 19, 2006

I wouldn't use it if I were you, unless you plan on using two fans. I don't think you want to use anything smaller than a 14 when using a single fan.

enferno · Sep 19, 2006

LazerStang760 said:
I wouldn't use it if I were you, unless you plan on using two fans. I don't think you want to use anything smaller than a 14 when using a single fan.

that's why i am going to try it out.

it was free, so what do i have to lose?

Cannoball888 · Sep 20, 2006

I heard tripac were the worst fans made.

67Dylan · Sep 20, 2006

enferno said:
that's why i am going to try it out.

it was free, so what do i have to lose?

That's a loaded question. Just to power it on you do have nothing to lose, but if you want to put it on your car then IMO you could have a lot to lose if it can't cool your car properly.

If you want to see if it works you can hook it up straight to the battery and watch your fingers. There, it works... What size fan is it? Does it have the fan shroud as well? Do you know how to hook up a realy or is that where you need help?

Spoofty · Sep 20, 2006

11" does sound small for one fan. I'm running 2 12's.

Vinyl66 · Sep 20, 2006

Try it to see if it works then sell it and get a good 16" fan. I have a SPAL and it works great.

enferno · Sep 20, 2006

still haven't really answered my question . .

let me clarify more i guess

what else do i need electrically?

just wire it up and throw a switch on it? what about a thermostat etc.

obviously if the car overheats i will not use this fan, but because it was free i might as well throw it in just on the chance that it will sufficiently cool my car.

jcode68 · Sep 20, 2006

enferno said:
still haven't really answered my question . .

let me clarify more i guess

what else do i need electrically?

just wire it up and throw a switch on it? what about a thermostat etc.

obviously if the car overheats i will not use this fan, but because it was free i might as well throw it in just on the chance that it will sufficiently cool my car.

Since you already have the relay, all you need is a switch. You could go thermostatic switch, which turns the fan on at a given temp and mounts in either a coolant passage (thermostat housing is where I have mine) or I have also seen thermostat probes mounted thru the radiator. You could always put a flip switch on it and control it manually as well. Definately a low cost temp solution to determine if you want to keep the thing.

enferno · Sep 20, 2006

jcode68 said:
Since you already have the relay, all you need is a switch. You could go thermostatic switch, which turns the fan on at a given temp and mounts in either a coolant passage (thermostat housing is where I have mine) or I have also seen thermostat probes mounted thru the radiator. You could always put a flip switch on it and control it manually as well. Definately a low cost temp solution to determine if you want to keep the thing.

what are the benifits for a switch versus a thermostatic switch?

jcode68 · Sep 20, 2006

A flip switch is cheap ($2 bucks at Radio Shack), readily available and easy to install (simple wire hookup versus plumbing involved). This would allow you to evaluate the fan without spending too much time or money to do it.

enferno · Sep 20, 2006

jcode68 said:
A flip switch is cheap ($2 bucks at Radio Shack), readily available and easy to install (simple wire hookup versus plumbing involved). This would allow you to evaluate the fan without spending too much time or money to do it.

cool thanks.

in the long run thoug, should the fan work, what is the benifit of a thermostat vs. switch? just the fact that i wouldn't have to turn it on/off myself?

jcode68 · Sep 20, 2006

enferno said:
cool thanks.

in the long run thoug, should the fan work, what is the benifit of a thermostat vs. switch? just the fact that i wouldn't have to turn it on/off myself?

Correct. When the temp reaches the temp that the switch is designed for (say 185 degrees), the fan comes on and stays on until the temp falls below. My guess is you will be running pretty hot if not overheat with a single 11 inch fan as others have suggested.

enferno · Sep 20, 2006

one last thing - wire the fan to suck air through the grille correte?

jcode68 · Sep 20, 2006

Assuming it's a "puller" type fan, then yes, wire it to pull air.

67Dylan · Sep 20, 2006

One more thing: wire the switch thru the relay NOT directly to the fan. If you wired it to the fan and the current rating is not w/in parameters.... watch out.
Do you know how to wire the relay?

enferno · Sep 20, 2006

67Dylan said:
One more thing: wire the switch thru the relay NOT directly to the fan. If you wired it to the fan and the current rating is not w/in parameters.... watch out.
Do you know how to wire the relay?

i have a basic understanding how.

prong 3 to the battery, 5 to the fan. 1 to the switch, and 2 to the ground

correct?

if you have any tips i'd appreciate it though!

enferno · Sep 20, 2006

is a 65 amp alternator going to be enough to run the fan?

i'm not running a big stereo, just 80 watt.
stock headlights etc.

67Dylan · Sep 21, 2006

enferno said:
is a 65 amp alternator going to be enough to run the fan?

i'm not running a big stereo, just 80 watt.
stock headlights etc.

You should be fine w/the stock alt.

As to your wiring of the relay... sorry I'm not familiar w/the number system you described. I know the standard bosch numbering (85,86,87,&30)... easy enough to help if you really need it tho.

chepsk8 · Sep 21, 2006

Fan wiring

I run a 16" fan, use a relay, and got a temp sensor from Painless. I drilled & tapped the hole in the thermostat housing, and located it there. Fully automatic, works perfectly.

I also did that back on the DCVER as well, back in 1986, used a sensor from a BMW....

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