switch for transmission oil cooler fan

[IanP]

Hi all,

I have just fitted a fan to the additional tranny oil cooler and now need to fit an on/off switch for it. As I have some spare slots on the binnacle, I plan on using a 'cruise control' switch as the on/off switch.

Firstly, is the cruise control switch suitable for that? and

Secondly is there a better alternative.

Thanks
Ian

[gavinwibrow]

Ian, mine is fitted just to the right of the steering wheel column at the lower end of the dashboard. I guess it depends on your dash layout and what else you might want to eventually fit before making a firm decision.

[IanP]

Ian, mine is fitted just to the right of the steering wheel column at the lower end of the dashboard. I guess it depends on your dash layout and what else you might want to eventually fit before making a firm decision.

Thanks for that. It sounds like where I would like to place it (lower position on the right hand side of the Binnacle. I recall seeing a post that said to use a cruise control switch but I cannot find the post :(.

So just wanted check if anyone had any particular suggestions if the cruise control switch is the one to use.

[Gaudough]

Yes, cruise control switch is an On/Off. Most of the others are just a momentary pulse when you press it and need a latching relay.

Regards Gordo Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Sleeping Wood]

Hi Ian P
Any chance you would have any photos of your set-up?. Im about to fit a second cooler and just wondering why a fan is needed.

[IanP]

Hi Ian P
Any chance you would have any photos of your set-up?. Im about to fit a second cooler and just wondering why a fan is needed.

Hi Sleeping wood,

I do not have any photos but can explain what I did.

I used a Davies Craig combo cooler and fan plus a Derale 25792 thermostat Derale 25792 Derale Fluid Control Thermostats (http://www.jegs.com/i/Derale/259/25792/10002/-1) The thermostat was put in the return line to the transmission so that when the temp is below 82C the thermostat returns the fluid directly to the transmission.

When the temp is above 82C, after going through the factory fitted cooler, the thermostat directs the flow to the additional cooler and then back to the tranny.

I tossed up whether to put an in-line thermostat in to operate the fan, however I opted to run the fan manually from a spare cruise control switch mounted on the binnacle.

The installation is fairly straight forward with the only fabrication being that I had to make a couple of brackets to mount the cooler in front of the radiator.

Happy to take some shots of the installation and post them towards the end. of the week.

Cheers
Ian

[IanP]

I forgot to say WHY I put a fan in. :(

I tow a van and often when towing the van up long steep hills;the speed of the vehicle is not enough to get sufficient air flow through the cooling system to keep the transmission fluid within correct operating range.

With manual control of the fan I can put the fan on before it is really needed. If when driving at normal highway speeds or when I can maintain sufficient speed going up hills the fan will remain off.

Fans are cheap and I would rather have it there in case I need it rather than find the transmission temperature rising and me thinking 'I wish I had of installed that fan' :o

Cheers
Ian

[Sleeping Wood]

Thanks for the link..... Just trying to get how you plumbed this up.... Pics would be great when you can upload... :-)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

so that huge fan behind the rad wont pull enough air through to create some form of breeze?

and

at what speed is this a concern?

I tow up the Toowoomba range regularly and even at a regulated 40kph I reckon theres heaps of air

[IanP]

Hi Pedro,

The 'big fan' is fine, however while fitting the additional cooler (which came with a fan), I thought why not fit the fan and use it IF needed.

I live in the Dandenong ranges and while towing the van up the hills after being away I have always had to stop along the way and let the transmission cool down at some point - I always err on the side of caution so have set the alarm at 105C rather than risk damaging the auto.

The additional fan may not be necessary as I haven't towed the van since fitting the additional cooler, but it is there if needed.

[gavinwibrow]

Hi Pedro,

The 'big fan' is fine, however while fitting the additional cooler (which came with a fan), I thought why not fit the fan and use it IF needed.

I live in the Dandenong ranges and while towing the van up the hills after being away I have always had to stop along the way and let the transmission cool down at some point - I always err on the side of caution so have set the alarm at 105C rather than risk damaging the auto.

The additional fan may not be necessary as I haven't towed the van since fitting the additional cooler, but it is there if needed.


Ian I concur. With my system professionally fitted by the local gurus, I have an auto fan fitted with a manual over-ride (on the advice of a much trusted/ incredibly knowledgeable now retired mechanic) and have yet had to use the manual over-ride in real anger (fan did come on automatically in a long soft sand beach ride), but just knowing its available (along with my ATF temp gauge with alarm) gives me peace of mind.

[IanP]

Sleeping Wood, I took some photos of the Oil Cooler installation which should give you an indication of how I approached it. I have used barbs and clamps instead of crimped or screwed fittings, but that is just my choice as it is easy to rectify any problems if you are in the bush.

From memory GavinWibrow also has photos of his installation on the site - a good looking installation!

If you want any further details, let me know.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

thats a serious fan,,
no room on the back of the cooler?

[IanP]

Pedro, unfortunately no room behind the cooler. I have found that in normal driving I do not need the fan as 10% of the transmission fluid goes through the additional cooler via the Derale thermostat.

I have 'pushed' the Disco hard up steep hills and all temperatures remained 'normal' without the fan being used. I haven't towed the van at this stage but will in the next couple of weeks.

[Sleeping Wood]

Thanks for the photo's Ian... I fitted the cooler I purchased today... Just plumbed it in series with the original cooler...
I thought I would aproach this mod in stages... I will now monitor the upgrade of an additional cooler.. (fit a temp gauge to monitor the cooler temp)...if temps are above 100C,.... then look at fitting fan