Thinkin' about an electric fan...

[statikuz]

Yep, I've read MrJim's and 88's writeups on this, so I think it seems like a decent idea to me. =) All the ones on Summit were around $150-$200, and I don't want to spend that kind of cash. Any other ideas for a cheap one? Yep, I know the Quest idea, but no yards around here have one and there's none on eBay. Would something like this work for me, if I snagged one of those radiator mounting kits and a thermostat/relay?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=33600

 

... or

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=33600

 

... or

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=33600

[Mookie]

I used a Dodge Caravan electric fan. Shroud/fan unit fits our stock rads perfectly. I paid a little to much for my adjustable thermo sensor. If I had taken the time and shopped around, or even mail ordered, I would have paid less...but I wanted to go wheeling right away.

[statikuz]

88, Jim, how did you guys mount your fans to your radiators? The Flexalite ones have some sort of nylon bolt/nut combo... was just wondering if that's the way they all are.

 

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/trimline-fan.html

 

I'm thinking something like the 116. Summit has 'em for not too bad, like $85 + $25 for a thermostat and like $15 for the AC relay thingy. There's one on eBay too.

[statikuz]

Yeah, the 16" Flexalite sounds good... we'll see if I snag the eBay one. But anyway, I was lookin' at a thermostat, since the fan doesn't come with one. Flexalite has one: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...257#largerimage ... but look at the size of that temp. probe!? Can't just slip that in between the fins now can you?

 

How come that's so different than this one on eBay? This one looks a little more normal, maybe that's why its more expensive. =) The Flexalite one is $25 from Summit.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...7909768021&rd=1

 

Any recs on a good thermostat, or is a cheapo one from your average parts store just peachy? And how about an AC relay... to turn the fan on when you hit the AC... necessary or not worth it?

[88pathoffroad]

I have the exact same one as the Ebay one. Works great. It's got a hookup for the AC clutch wire to kick the fan up a notch, a relay for the initial startup, an inline fuse, and everything you need. The Summit one is bulky and doesn't seem to have a relay...

 

To mount my fan and shroud, I used a fan mounting kit from a local auto parts store...basically round zip ties that stick through the radiator with a foam-tape backed plastic pad on the outside and a foam-tape pad and plastic foot that slides onto the round bit to snug it up and sandwich the fan against the radiator. Cost me $4.

[statikuz]

Alrighty, I've been lookin at some more since I just lost the eBay auction in the waning minutes. =( There's one 16" Flexalite that pulls 2500 CFM [which seems darn excessive to me ] but draws 17 amps, while the other one I was looking at only pulls 11. What's a decent amp draw to look for in a fan, or what can our stock alternators handle?

[88pathoffroad]

Mine pulls about 25 amps to start up, then about 10-12 to run on low speed...then 15-18 amps to run on high speed. I'd say the more CFM the merrier, cooling the radiator is harder than heating it up.