Thread: electric cooling fan

I've got EL falcon thermo fans on the 95 V8 Disco and AU fans on the 4.6 SD1 Rover. Both have the Brian Baskin Delta Current Controller - the FK50 on the SD1 and the later FK 55 on the Disco. No need for relays and the temp control is adjustable from a knob mounted on the dash.

The advantage of the DC Controller is well documented - most other fan controllers are on/off controllers AFAIK - they turn the fan on full at the preset high temp, and turns it off at the cool temp - so the fan is cycling on and off going from full speed to off.

The DC Control unit is a variable speed controller - it varies the fan speed to maintain a constant coolant temp - it slowly speeds up as needed rather than pulling a lot of current to go full speed.

I also have the DCC LED on my dash that tells me what the fan is doing - it changes color depending whether the fan is off (green) at partial speed (orange), and full speed (red) - works great.

This forum is amazing. I'm always coming across things I wouldn't have heard of otherwise. (Mind you, I don't get out much!)

Here's the link to the controller site: Home

It sounds good. That's one thing I didn't like about using the thermo fans up here, watching the temperature and waiting for them to come on.

It all depends on what you are trying to achieve, your application, your knowledge and your budget.

When considering any modifications it is worth while taking note of what OEM vehicle manufacturers do. They spend a lot of money and time researching and developing each component of a modern vehicle. The KISS theory comes to mind when modifying your own vehicle.

As wonderful as an infinitely variable fan speed controller would be, is it the best system for an offroad vehicle? Are spares readily available? Does it have an override function in case of sensor fault? Is it something your average outback mechanic can fix it when you are experiencing issues? , I would think there would be a few that would not know what Pulse Width Modulation (current limiting) control is, let alone know how to fix it. The more complicated you make any system, the chances of failure also increases.

Are all fans suited to the two speed or variable speed controllers?

Cheers, Mick.

Originally Posted by andy_d110

It all depends on what you are trying to achieve, your application, your knowledge and your budget.

When considering any modifications it is worth while taking note of what OEM vehicle manufacturers do. They spend a lot of money and time researching and developing each component of a modern vehicle. The KISS theory comes to mind when modifying your own vehicle.

As wonderful as an infinitely variable fan speed controller would be, is it the best system for an offroad vehicle? Are spares readily available? Does it have an override function in case of sensor fault? Is it something your average outback mechanic can fix it when you are experiencing issues? , I would think there would be a few that would not know what Pulse Width Modulation (current limiting) control is, let alone know how to fix it. The more complicated you make any system, the chances of failure also increases.

All true. That's why I have the original type viscous unit and plastic fan. But if you're that concerned about repairs, you can always have a couple of relays and a switch handy just in case. One great thing about adding something like that controller is that it's a stand-alone part and can be disconnected easily enough, especially if you're the one who added it in the first place.

Originally Posted by PAT303

Fans work very well as long as you use cooling fans and not A/C fans,I used to run my Tdi without the fan and it felt like it had another cylinder. Pat

Sounds good to me, but from a mechanical viewpoint what is the best way to mount the electric fan(s). I'm particularly referring to a Defender 300 Tdi.

I note that most seem to favour EL/AU fans. From internet adds these appear to be dual fans with their own plastic shroud. Does this whole assembly fit with minimum modification in place of the existing shroud and (single) viscous fan or is it necessary to fabricate some sort of bracket to hold one or both Ford fans ?

Deano

They're a pair of fans in a one-piece shroud, so it's all one unit. The problem is finding a good, corrugation-proof way of mounting them. You can't just hang them off the radiator in the same way the shroud fits since they're much heavier.

Originally Posted by PAT303

Fans work very well as long as you use cooling fans and not A/C fans,I used to run my Tdi without the fan and it felt like it had another cylinder. Pat

What is the difference between a cooling fan and an AC fan?
Are the blades different in shape or configuration?

Cheers, Mick.