My DCC fan controller burned up!

[astronut1885]

Hey guys. For the last few days, my DCC has been working improperly. It wasn't turning the fan on sometimes, and my car was running very hot. Last night I found that the wire from the battery had gotten cut and was barely making a connection. Today, I went outside and replaced the wire, and then tried to test the DCC. I touched the two posts where the probe goes with a flat blade screwdriver, and it turned on. I've done this in the past without issue, it basically simulates the probe closing the loop. All of a sudden, it shot sparks, made popping sounds and wouldn't turn off when I removed the screwdriver. I disconnected it from the battery, hoping that it would reset it's self. I connected the ground again, and it went on all by it's self and started smoking alot. I completely disconnected it and left it there. I emailed DCC, but I doubt they're going to help me as I've had the unit for atleast 8 months. The big downside is that now I can't turn my fan on, so I can't really drive my car anywhere.

 

[tmoss]

If it is a parts warranty issue I'm sure Brian will work with you. If you wired it wrong, he will probably still work with you but your gonna have to pick up some responsibility/cost.

 

[astronut1885]

All wiring was per the instructions. He already emailed me back, which I was surprised by because of how quick he was. I just rechecked everything, and what he described in the email is exactly what happened, it's running wide open all the time if the power is connected. I'm hoping he can help me out, because I can't afford a new one right now, and I need my car to get to work and such. Other than this, I can't say enough about the DCC, it is truly an awesome unit.

 

[astronut1885]

Well, I haven't heard back from Brian yet, but I have a temporary solution. I dug out my old clutch fan and I am going to retro-fit the car back to the old fan and shroud. Not something I want to do, but it won't take long and it'll get me running again. Too bad it's freaking raining over here for the next three days. I always end up working in the rain...

 

[Michael Yount]

Sounds like you shorted something out yourself - I don't think it was a problem with the controller based on your description, rather operator error. Sorry.

 

[astronut1885]

I was thinking that too Mike, but all the wires were as they've been for months. I didn't touch anything but the two pins for the probe, as I've done before. Unless an errant water drop got on there, I can't see how it happened. I know that Brian accurately described the way mine was acting before I told him what it was doing, so I assume he's seen this kind of thing before. All I know is tomorrow I am back to good old mechanical fan cooling . Hopefully I'll have this dealt with soon enough and my MkVIII back in action.

 

[bobbys9350]

how do those controllers work?

 

[astronut1885]

go to dccontrol.com, they have a great animation that explains it.

 

[bobbys9350]

i see that, but what does it do that a normal thermostat doesnt?!?!??!

 

[astronut1885]

it controls a fan, whereas the thermostat controls coolant flow. This is a variable speed fan controller, so it only runs the fan as fast as needed to maintain a desired coolant temp.

 

[bobbys9350]

im sorry, i didnt mean the thermostat in the housing, i ment a thermostat like one that comes with say a black magic fan. so one that comes with the fan, when the temp reaches the pre set temp, the fans kicks on full blast until the temp gets back down below the pre set temp. now with the dcc controller, does it just turn the fan on just enough to keep it at the desired temp all the time. instead of being on full blast, it is variable speed, right? thanks!

 

[HISSIN50]

im sorry, i didnt mean the thermostat in the housing, i ment a thermostat like one that comes with say a black magic fan. so one that comes with the fan, when the temp reaches the pre set temp, the fans kicks on full blast until the temp gets back down below the pre set temp. now with the dcc controller, does it just turn the fan on just enough to keep it at the desired temp all the time. instead of being on full blast, it is variable speed, right? thanks!

He was talking about the fan controller's t-stat. That is how it works. It only draws what it needs - as opposed to conventional fan controllers (with switches and relays) that are all or nothing. the start up spike with some fans is a biggie.

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

it controls a fan, whereas the thermostat controls coolant flow.

 

[astronut1885]

My bad. I didn't even think of other fan controllers. Yeah, you pretty much hit it on the head Bobbys.

 

[bobbys9350]

thanks!