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How are you controlling YOUR electric fan?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mattys5Oh
  • Start date Start date Apr 5, 2005
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Mattys5Oh

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Apr 5, 2005
#1
  • Apr 5, 2005
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Just looking for new ideas.

I've used a fan controller from an Autozone/Advanced Auto type place where the sensor went through the radiator. It was NOT accurate and all and sucked!

I've also hooked up a switch and turned it on and off manually and that can be a pain in the ass too.

I saw a thermostat controlled one today that looked interesting and sounds like a perfect idea...but it also look like it had a sensor that goes through the radiator.
 
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89bluegt

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Jun 21, 2003
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#2
  • Apr 5, 2005
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I use the advanced auto type ($20 bucks) and it works fine for me. I've been using it for about 2 years.
 

mustangramair

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Feb 24, 2004
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Apr 5, 2005
#3
  • Apr 5, 2005
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Mine is thermostat controlled and has a sensor on the radiator. It works great, it came with the proform fan.
 
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racerraj

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Dec 17, 2001
493
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Dickson, TN
Apr 5, 2005
#4
  • Apr 5, 2005
  • #4
dccontrol.com's FK35. I've heard complaints about every other setup, but not this. So I went with it, and it's been great!
 
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emagdnim

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Feb 5, 2003
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#5
  • Apr 5, 2005
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I pulled a electric fan from a 1985 dodge caravan and use a sensor in the radiator as well , works perfect! Cheap and easy..
 
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ty-rone

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Mar 30, 2005
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1985 caravan I though I was cheap, got mine from a 91 cavalier
 
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Mattys5Oh

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#7
  • Apr 5, 2005
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So since my fan is off of a 94-ish Continental, I could grab the control unit off of one of those at a JY?


That FK-35 looks real nice but $110 is a little steep for me.
 
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Mattys5Oh

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#8
  • Apr 5, 2005
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emagdnim said:
I pulled a electric fan from a 1985 dodge caravan and use a sensor in the radiator as well , works perfect! Cheap and easy..
Click to expand...


Is your sensor located in the liquid part of the radiator or is it put through the fins where it measures the heat of the metal radiator?
 
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jerry beach

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Apr 5, 2005
#9
  • Apr 5, 2005
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Mattys5Oh said:
Is your sensor located in the liquid part of the radiator or is it put through the fins where it measures the heat of the metal radiator?
Click to expand...

They are mostly all stuck through the fins. Whats important is where you put them. They need to be close to the lower rad hose and inch off the tank or so.

Do you have a 3g alt? If not the DC contoller is the way to go. If you have the 3G then that $20 controller will work if you have the sensor installed correctly. Otherwise take it back and tell them it doesnt work. I went with the DC control mainly because it was cheaper than the alt upgrade, but its got to be more reliable than conventional systems. The soft start makes it easy on all your components, just read the info on the site. Its easy to install and has self protection and circuit protect features, try that with a relay.
 
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jerryD

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Mar 16, 2000
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Gladstone, MO
Apr 5, 2005
#10
  • Apr 5, 2005
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Got the DCC 60 amp one to do fan and water pump. like it so far, but now i wish i kinda thought about it more and went with two seperate controllers. anyways, it works great. waiting 2 weeks to get it sucks, but it IS WORTH IT!
 

Curse

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Apr 8, 2004
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El Paso, TX
Apr 5, 2005
#11
  • Apr 5, 2005
  • #11
I have the thermostat controlled one with the sensor in the upper outlet neck. It came with a little gasket, but it is a bitch to seal. Another problem is that it will keep the fan running a while after I shut the car off. Other than that it works fine.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Apr 6, 2005
#12
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #12
Curse said:
I have the thermostat controlled one with the sensor in the upper outlet neck. It came with a little gasket, but it is a bitch to seal. Another problem is that it will keep the fan running a while after I shut the car off. Other than that it works fine.
Click to expand...
depending upon the actual relay used, you should be able to rewire it to shut down when the key is turned off.
 
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Mattys5Oh

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Apr 6, 2005
#13
  • Apr 6, 2005
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jerry beach said:
They are mostly all stuck through the fins. Whats important is where you put them. They need to be close to the lower rad hose and inch off the tank or so.

Do you have a 3g alt? If not the DC contoller is the way to go. If you have the 3G then that $20 controller will work if you have the sensor installed correctly.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have a 3G going in at the sametime I put the fan on this new car.


Now I'm suprised that you say lower radiator hose.....I though it was suppose to go by the upper rad hose.....???
 

BlackGT89

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Dec 16, 2002
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Huntsville, AL
Apr 6, 2005
#14
  • Apr 6, 2005
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The temp sensors that actually go into the radiator hose are a royal pain to keep from leaking (instructions say to wrap with electricians tape ?). The sensors that clip into the radiator fins work great and eliminate the leaking problem.
 
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Mattys5Oh

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Apr 6, 2005
#15
  • Apr 6, 2005
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Mattys5Oh said:
Now I'm suprised that you say lower radiator hose.....I though it was suppose to go by the upper rad hose.....???
Click to expand...


Can I please get some conformation on this? I purchased the thermostat controlled one from Adavnced Auto this morning for $20.
 

darthcual

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Mar 31, 2005
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Arlington, TX
Apr 6, 2005
#16
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #16
Ive got a flex a lite electric fan that works great. It is the poke thru the fins kind of sensor and i have no problems. The instruction clearly state to put the sensor as close to the upper hose as possible. Hope that helps you out.

DC
 

GroverDill

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Apr 6, 2005
#17
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #17
Its the upper hose. think about it its the closest to the thermostat, makes sense that way.

I have a complete Zirgo set up, pretty cheap and has worked great thus far.

thin fan 3.3 inches
16" and 3300 cfm
the sensor is in the upper rad hose and a adjutable "turn on temp" is on the side.

 
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Mattys5Oh

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Apr 6, 2005
#18
  • Apr 6, 2005
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Well I got it hooked up today with no switched power. It cycled for over 20mins on and off. I'm going to have to fnd switched power.....For the guys who have a set-up like this...Where do you get your switched power from?

Also I still hate the way these are set-up...It reads relevant air temp. Not even rad temp or actual water temp. You have to f**k with it ALOT to get it to turn on and off when you want. But hopefully it will do for now.
 
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Mattys5Oh

Founding Member
Sep 28, 2002
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Apr 6, 2005
#19
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #19
Mattys5Oh said:
Well I got it hooked up today with no switched power. It cycled for over 20mins on and off. I'm going to have to fnd switched power.....For the guys who have a set-up like this...Where do you get your switched power from?

Also I still hate the way these are set-up...It reads relevant air temp. Not even rad temp or actual water temp. You have to f**k with it ALOT to get it to turn on and off when you want. But hopefully it will do for now.
Click to expand...


Top.
 
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jerryD

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Apr 7, 2005
#20
  • Apr 7, 2005
  • #20
i have mine wired into the acc for the radio.

the temp probe i have attaches to the thermostat housing.
 

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