Electric Fan Install Advice Needed

[Lichen_Supra]

Hello All,

I was about to install an electric fan (FAL Dual), but was confused as to whether I should install it with a fan controller, or to run it all the time. Then I thought who better to ask then all the Supra Maniac's. Can you please advise me as to which way is better, and if I do run it all the time, how is a good way to wire it? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Happy Driving!

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[bwest]

I use this: http://www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/accessories/fanpwm.html

When I bought it a year and a half ago, this place had the best price: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/4583,938_Spal-Fan-Controller.html

in a nutshell, you program it with a low/high temp. at the low temp, fan kicks on and runs @50%. as temp gets higher, fans speed increases. This does a few things:

1. is easier on your electrical sys (biggest amp draw occurs at fan start up)
2. easier on the fan motors (see above)
3. helps maintain engine temp, instead of going hot/cold/hot/cold.

I reviewed it in the parts reviews under cooling sys. There are others out there, but this is the only one I know of off-hand that will vary the speed of the fan vs turn it on and off.

 

[jetjock]

Reminds me of an analog feedback controller I once designed for a car that came with electric fans stock. No low high stuff, it's continuously variable and runs at whatever speed it takes (within range) to meet the coolant temp setpoint dialed into it. No more, no less. All under closed loop control. Not that hard to do and just about the same cost in parts as that thing.

 

[bwest]

ah, I wasn't that clear. the point of the low/ high temp is to set the range of variation, just the lowest speed (which occurs at the low temp) is 50% max rpm (and it continually increases to a max of 88%, until the 'high' threshold is reached, then it goes 100%).

My only beef would be to have more control of temp range for the 2 set points (requires a min of 20deg IIRC) but for the price, its hard to beat.

btw- how did your controller end up working? I really like the concept and surprised its not used more in OE (I only know of multi-speed control, don't know of any offhand that use PWM for fan control), but I'm sure there is a reason behind that...

 

[jetjock]

I see. A bit more sophisticated than I gave it credit for.

In fairness I didn't build the heart of mine from scratch. Used a generic proportional controller from Carlo Gavazzi, an automation firm known for compact embedded control solutions. The entire thing was encapsulated and no bigger than a pack of cigarettes. The output drove an SCR pack. Been some time but last I heard it was still working. Way overkill of course but the idea appealed to me. Come to think of it a bit more expensive than I said but still not too bad.

Edit: Oops, double post. Don't know what happened there...

 

[3p141592654]

My 07 Sienna has a variable speed fan. I assumed that's pretty much standard these days.

 

[Lichen_Supra]

I use this: http://www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/accessories/fanpwm.html

When I bought it a year and a half ago, this place had the best price: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/4583,938_Spal-Fan-Controller.html

in a nutshell, you program it with a low/high temp. at the low temp, fan kicks on and runs @50%. as temp gets higher, fans speed increases. This does a few things:

1. is easier on your electrical sys (biggest amp draw occurs at fan start up)
2. easier on the fan motors (see above)
3. helps maintain engine temp, instead of going hot/cold/hot/cold.

I reviewed it in the parts reviews under cooling sys. There are others out there, but this is the only one I know of off-hand that will vary the speed of the fan vs turn it on and off.

Thank-you for the reply. I really like the idea of a variable speed fan, especially because I have alot of other accessories drawing power. Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[Lichen_Supra]

Reminds me of an analog feedback controller I once designed for a car that came with electric fans stock. No low high stuff, it's continuously variable and runs at whatever speed it takes (within range) to meet the coolant temp setpoint dialed into it. No more, no less. All under closed loop control. Not that hard to do and just about the same cost in parts as that thing.

Thanks for the post. I don't know if I trust my electronic skills to build some type of relay, but thanks anyway. It still is quite interesting to hear that you built a variable speed fan controller. Did you ever consider marketing it? Just a thought. Thanks again.

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[Lichen_Supra]

Oh One more question. Does anyone know off hand if the 88 Supra has a temperature sensor that is compatible with the SPAL unit (See previous posts), of do I need to buy an aftermarket temperature sensor. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[bwest]

You have 2 options.

1. buy their sensor

2. tap into the efi temp sensor

The documentation on their site explains it further, but those are your options for hooking it up.

 

[mkIIIman089]

I would have to imagine that the gauge sensor would work for it. Personally, if I were to do it I would buy their sensor.

IIRC, the SPAL controller goes 100% for a few seconds to get the fan to spin up properly then kicks it down to 50%. So its no easier on the electrics then a normal relay would be in that regard.

 

[jetjock]

Looking at that thing closer it appears to be PWM. I can't open the pdf for it though. How much current can it handle?

 

[mkIIIman089]

SPAL's pdf isn't working for me either any more. Easy enough to find one on google.

Since they say you can should only run one fan from it, and their highest rated fan is ~30A. I'm going to guess something like 40A.

 

[jetjock]

Thanks Colin. Hmmm, I may have a non-automotive application for this thing. At the price it'd beat doing something custom. I need around 40 amps though. I could always boost it's current capabilities....or maybe put a fan on it

 

[mkIIIman089]

...or maybe put a fan on it

LOL

I don't know for sure how relays are rated, but with the SPAL relay kit I use on my fan, the relay is marked 40/50 (I'm guessing continuous/intermittent). So there could be a good blanket with this product as well.

 

[Lichen_Supra]

I would have to imagine that the gauge sensor would work for it. Personally, if I were to do it I would buy their sensor.

IIRC, the SPAL controller goes 100% for a few seconds to get the fan to spin up properly then kicks it down to 50%. So its no easier on the electrics then a normal relay would be in that regard.

Thanks for the advice. I was considering using the stock sensor but prefer the capabilities of the aftermarket. My only concern is where would I plug the new sensor? If I plug it into the old spot, can I also use it for my temp guage. If you know I would appreciate any input you can provide. Thanks again for the help!

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[mkIIIman089]

It really depends on if you are still using a charcoal canister or A/C.

 

[Lichen_Supra]

It really depends on if you are still using a charcoal canister or A/C.

Thanks for the Reply. My answer would be yes to both, I never really had a reason to remove them... Should I? And my A/C is currently broken so I guess its not that important for now. Can you please explain why this makes a difference? Thanks again for the reply, and any help you can provide.

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[CPT Furious]

If you're looking for a spot to mount a sensor there is a blank spot on most cars right behind the thermostat housing cover and right above the factory gauge temp sensor. I drilled and tapped a hole there to mount my sensor for an Autometer water gauge. It might have something to do with automatic cars, but I can't say for sure...

 

[Lichen_Supra]

If you're looking for a spot to mount a sensor there is a blank spot on most cars right behind the thermostat housing cover and right above the factory gauge temp sensor. I drilled and tapped a hole there to mount my sensor for an Autometer water gauge. It might have something to do with automatic cars, but I can't say for sure...

Thanks for the reply. I never really thought of that, but it is a good consideration for my installation. Thanks for the info.

Cheers,
Chris.