automatic fan control???

JT · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 08:42 AM

I'm currently running a toggle switch for my fan. I've had a few times when I forgot to flip it and heated things up. I really want to go to an automatic setup, does anyone have reccomendations?
I have no more ports in my intake for temp. sensors. Wouldn't one in the radiator petcock give irrelevant readings since it reads already cooled temperatures? Options?? Thanks JT

rdorman · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 08:46 AM

I use an adjustable unit made by perma cool and purchased from Jegs. The probe goes in the top radiator hose. I just let the car warm up to the point where I wanted the fan to come on and adjusted the unit to kick in the fan. Never a problem. Cost was like 20 or 30 bucks.
Rick

trularin · #3 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 10:48 AM

You can get a neck with a port for temp sensor.

I have a two speed fan. I also have two sensors. More wiring, but controlled cooling.

The unit from JEGs I have not tried.

Got my stuff from summit.

Just my $0.02

PNJSNAK · #4 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 09:04 AM

JT: How's the A & C ride? I went with an American autowire Systems (856)933-9301 Cooling Fan relay wiring Kit Part # 500084. You need a Themostat housing with a port in the top for the threaded temerature switch or any extra ports in the manifold. It comes with all the wiring and relay stuff. You can also wire in your toggle as a manual override if you want. It works great, I think it comes on at 190 or so, can't remember. The guys at AAS are great to work with. They provide the wiring and things for the Ron Franvis wiring kit I used.
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Jim

Steve Jones · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2003, 07:12 AM

JT,

I'm using a Flexilite Black Magic and what I like about it is that the thermostat bulb and capillary tube are inclosed by the radiator shroud. The shroud holds the bulb up against the surface of the radiator, so there's no plumbing to do. I don't think where the temperature sensor is located is all that important on an adjustable system. In other words, you don't really care what the actual temperature is on the surface of the radiator or care about the fact that it may not be the exact same temperature as the coolant in the radiator (at the top or at the bottom etc.). All you need to do is warm up the engine till it gets to the temperature (according to the temp gage) where you want the fan to come on, then slowly turn the thermostat control until the fan comes on....your set. The Black Magic also has an overide input so you can toggle switch the fan on if you wish.
Hope this helps,
Steve

Mr.Fixit · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2003, 10:01 AM

SPF put's their sensor in the radaitor, and their setup works quite well.

"Wouldn't one in the radiator petcock give irrelevant readings since it reads already cooled temperatures?"

If the coolant is allready cooled, the fan in not necessary, airflow is sufficient, no need to turn fan on. It's when the coolant is still hot in the radiator that the fan needs to turn on.

Tony Radford · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2003, 10:36 AM

JT, I did the same thing Steve did. When I installed my electric fan, I installed a thermostat with a probe that mounts to the surface of the radiator. It takes minutes to install and works great. Though I do have the system running through a toggle switch so I can kill it on start up (three fans draw a fair amount of juice), the switch stays on just about all the time. I like the fact that the fans run for a minute or so after I shut the engine down and help push the hot air out of the engine compartment.

Eljaro · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2003, 08:38 AM

The permacool stuf fitted to the radiator hose never worked well on my engine and was extremely inaccurate. I threw it it in the bin !
Get yourself a thermostat switch from any auto acessory store with the right thread to fit your intake manifold . Mine is a 3/4" NPT with a 190ºF/88ºC switching point,
( think it´s for a Volvo truck) for about $5, fit the wire to a relay (also a few bucks at the most) and wire in a manual switch to bypass the automatics, and you have the very best temperature controll you can get.
Remember , you want to monitor and regulate the temperature of the engine, not the temp in the radiator or its hoses, which is what most (expensive!) kits do.
See the picture included. Work WERRY WELL and looks neat.
Good luck!!!!

Eljaro · #9 (**permalink**) 07-24-2003, 08:49 AM

sorry JT, just saw that you do not have ports left in your intake manifold. Maybe you can remove something else. The peace of mind the fan automatics give you is invaluable. Are any ports unused in your water pump housing or even motor block? Or maybe have e TEE made to hook up two users to one port?
Luck!!!!