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06-12-2007, 02:46 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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How many amps...
do cooling fans usually pull? I have a dual fan setup right now. The fans them self are about 10-12'' in diameter.
edit:
was poking around; found that 11-12 amps seems to be average?
Last edited by bokey; 06-12-2007 at 04:30 PM.
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06-12-2007, 05:11 PM
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#2
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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On start up then can momentarily spike over 20. On running it is less. Why?
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Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
Last edited by BonzoHansen; 06-12-2007 at 05:11 PM.
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06-13-2007, 11:24 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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The PO set up the cooling fans (two fans) incorrectly. He has the hot wired into the IGN wire so the fans are running all the time (and putting unnecessary strain on the electrical system). I can tell that when both fans are running that the system drops a few volts. For the time being, I disconnected one of the fans.
I wanted to know, is there a guide or something where it outlines the CORRECT way to wire in an electric fan? Right now there is no temp sensor on that i know of so I wouldn't be able to go that route.
Thanks for any help in advance
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06-13-2007, 11:37 AM
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#4
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,623
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I think the Hanes manual does
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2000 Tahoe Z71 5.7
1982 Z28 Pacecar 305
1999 S10
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06-13-2007, 11:37 AM
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#5
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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You need relays and such. Search this forum, there are a number of threads on it.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-13-2007, 11:56 AM
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#6
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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didn't find anything -- going to take a gander over at tgo
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06-13-2007, 12:45 PM
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#7
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-13-2007, 03:03 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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Guess I typed in the wrong thing into the search? ...but still really hasn't helped me much. I'll need a CTS, but I dunno where I would put one? There looks to be a screw into of my water pump; possibly where a sensor would screw in? I suppose from there, I could hook that up to a relay?
For right now, the best mode of operation seems to be make a ground switch for the fans. This way I do not have to worry about amp ratings on the switch, and (as far as i know/heard) it is better to run a ground switch then a hot switch. Is it suggested that I fuse the fans as well?
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06-13-2007, 04:51 PM
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#9
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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If this one doesn't help you, not sure what will:
http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17456
Fan switch (not to be confused with coolant temerture sensor) locations that work: side of RH head or t-stat housing.
A manual swtich is not a good setup as it requires your constant attention. And you'd still need a relay to use one. Just because you are on the ground side does not mean you can use low amp stuff, unless you mean for the trigger circuit and not the fan power circuit.
What kind of car is this (year/engine)? Are they factory fans?
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
Last edited by BonzoHansen; 06-13-2007 at 04:52 PM.
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06-14-2007, 08:31 AM
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#10
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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you most certainly do not need a relay to have just one fan to work. Right now, I just have the one disconnected (two prong plug).
And for right now, until I get a temp sensor and relay in, I am just going to throw a switch in. I'm not sure if there really is a problem with such a setup (unless you are forgetful, etc.) Every time I do get into the car I switch the fan on and go. I never had a problem in the past with forgetting this (had a switch put into my camaro a few years ago). This isn't, by any means a permanent solution, but for now it will get the job done.
The car is a '87 GTA, Carb'd 350. As far as I know the fans are the stock ones.
And again, thanks for your help so far!
Last edited by bokey; 06-14-2007 at 08:32 AM.
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06-14-2007, 09:04 AM
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#11
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bokey
you most certainly do not need a relay to have just one fan to work. Right now, I just have the one disconnected (two prong plug).
And for right now, until I get a temp sensor and relay in, I am just going to throw a switch in. I'm not sure if there really is a problem with such a setup (unless you are forgetful, etc.) Every time I do get into the car I switch the fan on and go. I never had a problem in the past with forgetting this (had a switch put into my camaro a few years ago). This isn't, by any means a permanent solution, but for now it will get the job done.
The car is a '87 GTA, Carb'd 350. As far as I know the fans are the stock ones.
And again, thanks for your help so far!
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I thought you wanted to do it right.
If you use no relay, the switch is part of the circuit and needs to handle the amperage-it is all part of the circuit. You'll need pretty big wire too (8g), to make up for the increased length and the associated volatage drop.
Why wouldn't you want to use a $5 relay? If you use one, you can run about 4' of heavy wire (10g or 12g), and run small wire to your switch.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-14-2007, 09:29 AM
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#12
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
I thought you wanted to do it right.
If you use no relay, the switch is part of the circuit and needs to handle the amperage-it is all part of the circuit. You'll need pretty big wire too (8g), to make up for the increased length and the associated volatage drop.
Why wouldn't you want to use a $5 relay? If you use one, you can run about 4' of heavy wire (10g or 12g), and run small wire to your switch.
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I agree. Use a switch, a relay, and 10g wire. I set up dual Taurus fans this way and they work great.
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06-14-2007, 10:00 AM
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#13
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WildBillyT
I agree. Use a switch, a relay, and 10g wire. I set up dual Taurus fans this way and they work great.
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Yeah you are both right ... if I am going to do it, do it once, and do it the right way.
Do you have a sketch/picture of how yours is set up?
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06-14-2007, 10:21 AM
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#14
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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1 fan?
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-14-2007, 10:48 AM
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#15
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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I have two fans. I have never done anything with a relay before, so sorry in advanced for any silly quesitons
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06-14-2007, 11:32 AM
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#16
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bokey
I have two fans. I have never done anything with a relay before, so sorry in advanced for any silly quesitons
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It's really simple. Conceptually, the switch will control the actuation of the relay, which controls the current.
The relay will have a ground, a hot lead, a lead to the fans, and a lead to the switch. The terminals on the relay are marked so you know where to connect things.
Post up whatever questions you have!
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06-14-2007, 12:04 PM
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#17
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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wire the relay up properly, using a harness for the dual fans, not that hard to find. It has the two relays in it, one comes on at the specified temp and the other comes on as well if the a/c is turned on. The relays/wiring should be intact in the GTA to begin with, just a matter of maybe repairing some wires.
do NOT run a fan on just a switch, especially to the ignition terminal on the fuse block. Not only WILL you overheat and melt the switch, but in many cases, when you turn off the car, it can "diesel" as if its still trying to run. That is caused by the fan going from an electric motor, to basically what you could call a generator. It will then create a small amoutn of voltage and feed it back into the fuse block. Ive seen that in several cases. You asked how to do it right...and thats with one relay PER fan.
Last edited by V; 06-14-2007 at 12:04 PM.
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06-14-2007, 12:48 PM
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#18
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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You can get fancy and use 3 relays and 2 fan switches for 2 fans.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-14-2007, 01:15 PM
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#19
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hamilton Square
Posts: 252
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would this be a good start?
edit: also -- what kind of relay would I use? Did a search, and there seems to be a plethora of different types of relays
Last edited by bokey; 06-14-2007 at 01:18 PM.
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06-14-2007, 01:26 PM
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#20
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bokey
would this be a good start?
edit: also -- what kind of relay would I use? Did a search, and there seems to be a plethora of different types of relays
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I used a Bosch 30A, $9.95 at Summit.
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06-14-2007, 01:57 PM
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#21
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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I'll draw you a pic later. They have relays at radio shack and advance auto, napa, etc...
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-14-2007, 02:27 PM
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#22
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bokey
would this be a good start?
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that schematic is a mess, not even functional.
do it similar to this...
1st is with relay on groudn side
2nd is with relay on positive side
both will work
Last edited by V; 06-14-2007 at 02:38 PM.
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06-14-2007, 02:37 PM
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#23
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokingSS
that schematic is a mess, not even functional.
do it similar to this...
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Paul, you ground the fan to the relay? I wired in a way similar to the first schematic and it worked fine...
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06-14-2007, 02:40 PM
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#24
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WildBillyT
Paul, you ground the fan to the relay? I wired in a way similar to the first schematic and it worked fine...
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it will work both ways, on some circuits in cars the ground connection is relayed. i added a diagram how to wire it the other way around too.
In bokeys schematic, the connection to the right of the switch must be a + source, not ground for it to work, OR both connections to the left of the relay must be +
heres one with the switch to a ground....
Last edited by V; 06-14-2007 at 02:44 PM.
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06-14-2007, 02:43 PM
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#25
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokingSS
it will work both ways, on some circuits in cars the ground connection is relayed. i added a diagram how to wire it the other way around too.
In bokeys schematic, the connection to the right of the switch must be a + source, not ground for it to work, OR both connections to the left of the relay must be +
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Yeah, the second way is how I did it.
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