Electric fan question. (Manual switch or continuous?)
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 67
From: Florida
Electric fan question. (Manual switch or continuous?)
I'm planning to install an electric fan in my 91 mustang 5.0, but i know some people put in a manual switch instead of hooking up the fan to the ignition. Why is this? Is this so the car wont run too cool? doubt it but just asking.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,999
From:
It's because it's a total waste of electricity which in your case is alternator draw.
The total concept behind and electric fan is it only draws power when you need air flow through the radiator to cool the engine. Whenever the thermostat is closed, you don't need it. Whenever you are driving about around 45mph, you don't need it. When you stop, like at a red light. For the first few seconds, you don't need it.
Automatic controller is the ONLY way to go here.
The total concept behind and electric fan is it only draws power when you need air flow through the radiator to cool the engine. Whenever the thermostat is closed, you don't need it. Whenever you are driving about around 45mph, you don't need it. When you stop, like at a red light. For the first few seconds, you don't need it.
Automatic controller is the ONLY way to go here.
Resident Ginger
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,624
From: Cali
I had to install a manuel one on my 85 2.3 because the fan would not kick on until the engine was to hot. I actually blew my top rad hose because the fan did not kick on. I think manuel is a very good idea as a back up.
Matthew
Matthew
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 98
From: NC
I have a painless adjustable going in mine and have installed them in quite a few other projects. My opinion they are the only way to go. If it is manual only you run the risk of forgetting to turn it on and there is no need for continuous (besides the fact that it will cause premature wear on the fan.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,468
From: California
I'm running a basic Jegs universal adjustable. Like has been mentioned, automatic control is the only way to go. With an adjustable you can set when you want the fan to come on, and it only comes on when you need it. You have to remember than a fan draws a crapload of amperage(mine for instance operates on 19A, most basic factory fans will run on at LEAST 10A), and more amperage being drawn means more alternator load, which means a stronger magnetic field which means more parasitic loss. If you run a constant on electric fan you might as well just run a mechanical fan. And a manual switch only is asking for trouble, the first time you forget to turn it on you won't know until you overheat.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 171
From: South Florida
It's because it's a total waste of electricity which in your case is alternator draw.
The total concept behind and electric fan is it only draws power when you need air flow through the radiator to cool the engine. Whenever the thermostat is closed, you don't need it. Whenever you are driving about around 45mph, you don't need it. When you stop, like at a red light. For the first few seconds, you don't need it.
Automatic controller is the ONLY way to go here.
The total concept behind and electric fan is it only draws power when you need air flow through the radiator to cool the engine. Whenever the thermostat is closed, you don't need it. Whenever you are driving about around 45mph, you don't need it. When you stop, like at a red light. For the first few seconds, you don't need it.
Automatic controller is the ONLY way to go here.
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