Do I Hook Up Electric Fans?

[IBoughtASupra]

How do I hook up electric fans? I have looked around for a write up on how to do this. I know I can use a fan controller with a probe in the radiator but what about a thermostatic switch in the thermostat housing since I am not using the Bimetallic valve.

I do have the upgraded alternator from DriftMotion to accomdate the extra draw from the electric fans and gauges that will be inside my car. I am using an aluminum radiator as well since I don't find it right to use the stock radiator on a T4 turbo setup.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Why is there a "Radiator Cooling Fan Sensor Switch" If We Have A Clutch Fan? Could This Be Used Somehow On A Set Of Electric Fans? Thanks, Andy.

 

[dbsupra90]

the fan sensor switch you are talking about is for the a/c aux fan. dont use it.

i'm never a fan of a probe jammed into the radiator fins. i'd use a thermo switch in the tstat housing itself. then wire that to a relay to power the fan(s). if you wanted to get fancy you could get one of the programmable digital controllers like the dakota digital or zirgo. i use the switch on mine, but it is threaded into the cold start inj port. works well and was around $30 from napa.

also to note, dont skimp out on the wiring. i'd use quality wiring, prefer 10awg and a quality fuse assy. take your time and do it right. last thing you want to do is cut corners and the system fail. big downside of electric fans.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

I don't cheap out. I get good parts. I stripped my engine bay's loom all over and reloomed it, just because it looked old. I alway pay attention to detail because that is what makes everything else stand out.

I am using a T4 oil cooler turbo setup. The place where the watercooled line would come from is no longer in use, what thermostat switch would fit there?

 

[Poodles]

The water lines need to be looped, it's the t-stat bypass and needed.

 

[toyotanos]

That's no good, you need those two coolant lines to be connected, it's the t-stat bypass passage. Even if you turbo doesn't need it, you still need to run a hose in between those two points on the water neck.

Edit: poodles beat me to it

 

[IBoughtASupra]

I Have Both Blocked Off Right Now, What Would That Cause? I Did Not Know About This.

 

[toyotanos]

Your cooling system will not operate properly. You need to circulate coolant at all times, even when it's not warmed up yet. That way the t-stat knows how hot the engine coolant it and opens up when operating temperature is reached. By blocking it off, you have eliminated flow through the engine and have cut off that "signal" flow to the t-stat. You can cause damage without ever having a warning sign!

 

[IBoughtASupra]

O Crap. Okay, that is the number one thing I am taking car of when I work on the car this coming Friday. Thanks for letting me know that guys. I actually have that hose from DriftMotion that Aaron sells but I used it on another engine but took it of before I sold it. I decided to block it off because I did not see the purpose. Thanks for letting me know that. I will reinstall that line but what AN fitting goes there? The one that Aaron sent does not screw in all the way.

I will probably have to take the hose and the block off there to my local Speed Shop to have them find a fitting. Thanks.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Back on topic though, anyone know how to hook up the Electric fans? Any write ups? Electronics and wiring is what I have no clue about.

 

[dbsupra90]

you need to decide how you want to wire it. do you want a switch or do you want a controller?

 

[IBoughtASupra]

A switched that controls it. I don't want to run it all the time because it lessens the life of the fans.

 

[dbsupra90]

i really am trying to help. but you are going to have to put forth some effort here.

a switch: goes into the coolant stream. at a certain temp it will turn the fans on and off

a controller: a stand alone unit that you can program the on and off temp the fans come on. you can set it up where one fan comes on at one temp, and a second comes on at another temp. or you can wire it where one temp will turn on the fans 50% and full power at another temp.

wired directly to the battery: on all the time

 

[IBoughtASupra]

DB, I posted I would like to use a sensor in the thermostat housing. I can put it in the thermostat housing as I am not using my EGR, I am not using the Bimetallic valve. I am not a fan of a probe in the radiator. The Coolant stream would be what I want to do or the controller but if it uses a probe in the radiator, then that choice is out. Thanks.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Radiator and fans should be here tomorrow.

 

[dbsupra90]

ok you may look into this: http://www.dakotadigital.com/index....tegory_id=403/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd641.htm

then get one of these sensors: http://www.dakotadigital.com/index....tegory_id=403/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd111.htm

i looked and looked, never could find one that threaded into the bsvs. you may be able to use an adapter, i didnt look into that.

if you want to just run a pure thermo switch, you can get those at napa. they work pretty well. from there you would just wire up a relay. use the switch to trigger the input on the relay. then hook up battery and ground to the relay, and then the output to the fans. you could even run a relay on each fan if you wanted. the relay you buy should have a diagram of the pins. also, i'd get a heavy duty relay. the small ones from like radio shack just don't last from my experience. lastly, i'd run an override switch inside the car to trigger the relay as well. that way if your switch failed you could turn on the fans, or if you just wanted to turn the fans on manually.

 

[figgie]

First off,

which fans?

2nd

is your ELECTRICAL system up to the task of supplying the needed amperage long term?

Third, cleaning up "engin bay" for lack luster performance will only lead you stranded on the side of the road.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Figgie,
1) Flex-A-Lite Fans

2)If You Read My Posts, I Stated I Bought The Alternator From DriftMotion That Is Rated At 140AMPS. I am not using a Duralast,(HardlyLast) battery either.

3)How Am I Going To Be Stranded? I Am Not An Idiot Who Builds Crap. I Spend Money On Quality Parts. I Am A Do It Right, The First Time Kind Of Guy.

I am cleaning up my engine bay by removing things I don't need, like cruise control, and replacing all the old loom.

If I hook things up right, which I know I am doing, how am I going to be stranded? Aren't there high powered 7Ms? I don't believe they still uses the stock fan.


Thanks DB for your post, it helped a lot. Where did you tap into for a Ignition switch for the relay? I read people tapped into the EFI fuse but I really don't want to use that one.

 

[jetjock]

...If I hook things up right, which I know I am doing, how am I going to be stranded? ...

If you know what you're doing what was the point of all this? And if you didn't know do you honestly believe this thread has imparted all the information and wisdom necessary to do it right? Or do you just believe you know what you're doing but actually have NFI? I'm confused....

 

[Poodles]

Figgie,
1) Flex-A-Lite Fans

2)If You Read My Posts, I Stated I Bought The Alternator From DriftMotion That Is Rated At 140AMPS. I am not using a Duralast,(HardlyLast) battery either.

3)How Am I Going To Be Stranded? I Am Not An Idiot Who Builds Crap. I Spend Money On Quality Parts. I Am A Do It Right, The First Time Kind Of Guy.

I am cleaning up my engine bay by removing things I don't need, like cruise control, and replacing all the old loom.

If I hook things up right, which I know I am doing, how am I going to be stranded? Aren't there high powered 7Ms? I don't believe they still uses the stock fan.


Thanks DB for your post, it helped a lot. Where did you tap into for a Ignition switch for the relay? I read people tapped into the EFI fuse but I really don't want to use that one.

1) FAL fans have been known to be....sub par. They don't flow or last as long as OEM fans.

Eliminating things in the name of "cleaning up the engine bay" is looked down upon here. Everything was there and done for a reason, unless you know what you're doing (hint: most don't), don't screw with it.

There are high HP 7M's running stock fans. The stock setup is simple, durable, and reliable.