How are you controlling YOUR electric fan?

people have used a 95 amp alternator successfully with the variable controller. and some have used a stock alternator - it depends totally on the fan used and what accessories one runs, IMHO.

the rad cools the radiator. when stationary, the radiator cant get a decent air flow across it, so the fan pulls air across the coil to aid in heat rejection(this is in regard to previous comments).

the state of one's cooling system, ability of the radiator to reject heat, ambient temps, etc will determine how much draw there is on the system from a given fan (some folks barely ever have the fan come on, and when it does, it is at a very low percentage; some need a bit more).

one can see there are many variables. I might contact Mr Baskin to get his opinion - I would surmise he is the best person to ask.
 
where do i get the 3G alternator? i know its a noob question and its an alternator from a 94 up right? how much did you guys pay. I was planning on this and an electric fan when i get home in a couple weeks so this threads been great for me!
Thanks
Scott
 
Mattys5Oh said:
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.

i have the black magic fan but i dint like the temp probe so i bought a painless wiring kit and installed it fan has a switch in the intake it comes on at 200 degres and shuts off at 180 works like butter also have a 3 way switch to turn it on manually.
 
I win the award for the most functional hackjob of a electric fan !!! :) .. The main reason i wanted it was because the regular fan blew so much air when i was on a dusty road dust would blow everywhere and it was loud.
 
Mine is on a toggle in the car. Just turn it on and off myself.

Question for Grover (or others). I just bought my car and it has an electric fan but I have no idea what kind. It has a blue and a black wire with a factory looking plug on it though. I couldn't find any marking or names so I assume it's a JY. Anyways it also still has the stock Mustang fan shroud around it. Can I take the shroud off for a cleaner look without affecting cooling properties? It looks kinda like the one in the pic posted a few posts back.
 
Remove the shroud and see what happens. Hard to predict. My guess would be that removing it won't harm low speed cooling (when the fan is doing the work) and may actually aid cooling when you're moving fast enough that you don't need the fan.
 
One of the chief benefits of an electric fan is that you don't have to run it when you don't need it - most of the time your road speed is above 30-35 mph you're moving enough air across the radiator that you don't need a fan at all. It would be beneficial from the perspective of reducing parasitic losses and to save wear/tear on the fan/alt/battery to only run the electric when you need it. Doesn't make any sense at all to me to have it run all the time.

The stock shroud is designed to work with the stock mechanical fan. It serves mainly to block airflow across the radiator at speed once the stock fan is removed. I guess my thought is anyone who puts their fingers in a moving fan probably needs to learn that lesson the hard way.
 
Michael Yount said:
One of the chief benefits of an electric fan is that you don't have to run it when you don't need it - most of the time your road speed is above 30-35 mph you're moving enough air across the radiator that you don't need a fan at all. It would be beneficial from the perspective of reducing parasitic losses and to save wear/tear on the fan/alt/battery to only run the electric when you need it. Doesn't make any sense at all to me to have it run all the time.

The stock shroud is designed to work with the stock mechanical fan. It serves mainly to block airflow across the radiator at speed once the stock fan is removed. I guess my thought is anyone who puts their fingers in a moving fan probably needs to learn that lesson the hard way.


Exactly having a fan with a on/off switch or one that is always on seems like the lazy man way out when its so easy to use a temperature sensor in your rad.
 
I control mine with a simple toggle switch. oh and did i forget to mention I still have the 85 amp alternator?.... i suppose it helps that i have a deep cycle exide battery under the hood... or should i say under the trunk :nice:


by the way the whole setup cost me 33 bucks... 28 for the junk yard taurus fan, and 5 for the switch. no 200 dollar black magic fan here boys. all junk yard stuff :D
 
I'm using a Proform fan with the provided thermostat controller. It works perfect. I set it for 195 on, and it turns off at about 182 degrees. No problems at all, and it turns off when I move, as it's not needed. And it flows plenty, as it cycles on and off (meaning it's bringing it down to 182), so I know it's doin' it's job when I'm sitting still. :nice: Best 125 bucks I've ever spent.