Electric fan installation

Ian65 · May 17, 2010, 06:05:21 PM

I\'ve decided to dump the heavy, power sapping, viscous fan and go electric.
I bought dual electric fans from a MR2 as they are known to fit easily and shift loads of air.
I\'ve now removed the stock fan and bolted in the MR2 fans...

I now need to wire them up.
I\'m in 2 minds about how to do this.
Do I go with 2 adjustable thermostatic controllers, 1 for each fan so that the first one comes on at a lower temperature than the 2nd one? Doing it this way, both fans would only run at full speed, so they are either on or off, no inbetween.

or do I go for both fans electronically controlled to work together so that their speed is directly proportional to the water temperature? ie the lower the temp, the lower the fans rpm, the higher the temp, the higher the fans rpm.

I\'ve found this controller which should do the job.

it\'s on ebay in the US...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RADIATOR-FAN-CONTROLLER-USES-RPM-CONTROL-TEMPERATURE-/250632939749?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a5ae328e5

What\'s everyones thoughts on this?
Anyone think of a better way of doing it or see any potential problems with my plan.
Do I go with option 1, option 2 or another idea?

Any advice welcome.

Marcrs · May 17, 2010, 08:19:30 PM

I quite like the idea of the fan running slowly as the temperature rises, and increases speed and airflow as necessary...the whole "damn, it\'s hot, turn the fan on...ah, a bit cooler now, turn it off" idea is all a bit reactive, and sometimes, a bit too late...

I have a kenlowe, and it\'s set to come on pretty cool I think, as I found the temperature guage didn\'t rise much, and I didn\'t want to risk overheating. I\'d happily replace it with the set-up you\'re suggesting

TRIND-FD · May 17, 2010, 08:34:27 PM

I agree with marcars, Would keep the temps nice and low. Aslong as it does not cause any battery drain (which it should\'nt). What mr2 fans are you running ian. Keith

myatt1972 · May 17, 2010, 08:41:59 PM

You dont want the temps too low causes other issues. Looks like a good bit of kit though as long as its reliable. You could put a bypass switch in the car just in case.
Keith...

Ian65 · May 17, 2010, 08:42:03 PM

another advantage that I can see is a reduction in fan noise. The stock fan is very noisy and so are these 2 electric ones. They sound like a flymo under the bonnet when they are both running at full speed.
The more I think about the variable speed fans, the more they seem like a good idea.
For anyone running an early series gearbox, they have a switch built into them which you can use to switch your fan off in 4th and 5th gear, the idea being that if you\'re in either of those gears, the airflow should be enough to cool the rad without any extra help.

Marcrs · May 17, 2010, 08:46:21 PM

hmm, I\'d say if it was registering hot enough to require the fan, I\'d want the fan on, no matter what gear I was in

shaunwil · May 17, 2010, 08:46:54 PM

Fans do look fab. I think the controller is a bit overkill though considering a standard adjustable one is only about Â£30, http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/adjustable-fan-controller-thermostat-stat-763-p.asp

Do notice I get a lot of heat soak on mine and fans always kick in after I stop but I don\'t have the thermostat set very high !

I had a similar system built in to the FD with the electric water pump. I ditched it in the end and put the thermostat back in because it just didn\'t work very well !

Shaun

Ian65 · May 17, 2010, 08:55:45 PM

Quote from: TRIND-FD;694040I agree with marcars, Would keep the temps nice and low. Aslong as it does not cause any battery drain (which it should\'nt). What mr2 fans are you running ian. Keith

I\'m using these Keith from a MR2 MK2 1993 import...

They bolt together to form one rigid unit.

They seem to be the easiest to get hold of.... got mine here....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290418980106

Simple to mount, just drill a hole in each corner and bolt it to the captives that the old plastic rad shroud bolted to.

Even easier to use are the MK1 MR2 fans. These have a lip on the top edge of there frames which hooks over the lip on the top of the RX7 radiator and you can then just use 2 bolts to bolt it on.
MK1 fans are harder to get hold of though. Plenty of people seem to be breaking MK2\'s at the moment.

Ian65 · May 17, 2010, 09:00:52 PM

Quote from: shaunwil;694047Fans do look fab. I think the controller is a bit overkill though considering a standard adjustable one is only about Â£30, http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/adjustable-fan-controller-thermostat-stat-763-p.asp

Shaun

That\'s a good price for an adjustable controller but I\'d want 2, one for each fan, which will put the price up... plus the relays.
Worth thinking about though...

TRIND-FD · May 17, 2010, 10:25:57 PM

Thanks for the info Ian, My mate has a couple of early and later mr2\'s in for breaking so i reckon im gonna go and borrow a set of fans.:Thumbsup! Keith

Ian65 · June 05, 2010, 08:25:23 AM

I decided to go with the Autocool controller and it only took 7 days to arrive from California. I had plenty of email correspondence with Darryl, the designer and manufacturer of this bit of kit to satisfy myself that it was the type I thing I was after. I must say that he couldn\'t have been more helpful....top bloke.... even gave me his mobile number and personal email in case I had any queries wiring it up.
He needn\'t have worried... it was a piece of cake.

I\'ve run it for a few days now and it\'s excellent so far. Has those twin efan properly under control.

This is just a temporary lash up while I test it. I\'m not really happy with the postion I put it in and I\'ll probably put it inside the car under the dash to keep it clean and dry.

He\'s also supplying these to this place...Mikes Z shop...

http://www.mikeszshop.com/auto_cool.html

they seem happy enough with it as well.

Car\'s a transformation without that crap enormous viscous fan.