Manual switch for condenser fan to help when hot at low speed? (1 Viewer)

[AustinJoe]

Has anyone wired up a switch to the condenser fan so you can manually turn it on to help run air over the radiator when operating in high temps at low speed? I was crawling around at Merus Adventure park in 105-degree weather and hit 212 degrees while sitting still waiting for others to clear an obstacle. My thought is that moving any air over the system would help since the temps came down as soon as I started moving again at very low speeds. Having the ability to flip on the condenser fan for a few minutes while sitting still seems like an easy way to help. I'm thinking you could splice in a switch to turn the fan on manually without interfering with its normal operation. Has anyone tried this? For the record, my entire cooling system is brand new OEM. I mean friggin everything. I'm not worried that my system is the problem. It's more like at the extremes (low speed, high demand, high ambient temp), the factory system seems to need a little help.

 

[Frogg420]

I will have to agree with your thoughts. There has been a number of topics on this. I think someone even sourced a late model OEM fan and wired a temperature switch to it.
I had just found a small cooling fan, and thinking about wiring a switch. My cooling system is tip top. My ac system is in question.

 

[GTV]

Sounds like another good reason to convert from a mechanical to electric fan(s).

 

[Live to Ski]

Believe Landcruiser Phil developed/sells a kit.

 

[GTV]

Believe Landcruiser Phil developed/sells a kit.

His kit essentially puts a '98-02 fan on the '03+ that didn't come with one.

 

[medtro]

Has anyone wired up a switch to the condenser fan so you can manually turn it on to help run air over the radiator when operating in high temps at low speed? I was crawling around at Merus Adventure park in 105-degree weather and hit 212 degrees while sitting still waiting for others to clear an obstacle. My thought is that moving any air over the system would help since the temps came down as soon as I started moving again at very low speeds. Having the ability to flip on the condenser fan for a few minutes while sitting still seems like an easy way to help. I'm thinking you could splice in a switch to turn the fan on manually without interfering with its normal operation. Has anyone tried this? For the record, my entire cooling system is brand new OEM. I mean friggin everything. I'm not worried that my system is the problem. It's more like at the extremes (low speed, high demand, high ambient temp), the factory system seems to need a little help.

Your condenser fan should be running under that condition. Are you sure it was not running?

 

[KliersLC]

I put together something like this on my 80 series years ago and found that while it did help with my AC performance at low speed, it actually raised my coolant temp by blowing the heat from my condenser into my Radiator. YMMV.

 

[nckwltn]

I've experienced similar temperature creeping up on my '03 LX during long/slow drive throughs during the summer. I've mitigated it by dropping into neutral and revving the engine to 2000-2500 rpm. Temps then come back down.

I am monitoring the ultra gauge. If someone else were to be driving, I'm not sure they'd be paying any attention to the potential issue, and would not have any idea of how to bring the temps down while at a stand still.

This is particularly an issue if off-road and I step away from the vehicle but leave it running. The creeping temp issue seems to happen more easily at elevation. Would be great to have some kind of automated solution that didn't require me throwing a switch or pressing a button to engage.

I was wondering if my fan clutch was problematic, and was letting the fan not turn enough at idle and hot temps...

 

[bubfuji]

212 Degrees is not bad. Todays engines like to see 200 degrees. The T stat is 195 Degrees. Did you have your AC on?

That being said I use I installed the 100 series condenser fan in my 80 to help with the AC. I used a Bi metal temperature switch on my condenser tube from this company. I also have a similar on/off switch to run my transmission cooling fan on my 62.

431 Series - 1/2" Sealed Bimetal Thermostat - Pipe Mount (F) - Senasys

Ideal for Extreme Environments! Close on Temperature Rise Variety of Pipe Mounts Available Wire leads - 12" or 72" Temps from 20°F to 250°F Up to 15 Amps @ 120 VAC Operates with AC or DC 100,000 cycles UL & ULC Recognized Made in the USA

senasys.com

They work very well. Just choose the temperature point you need to turn on the fan. Very simple to use. 12v, 12,v relay, fuse block, and t-switch. If wired direct, the fan will stay on when the ignition is off. The fan will run until the t-switch cools below the on temperature. I added a manual on/off toggle switch for that reason.

Your fan is designed to come on when the AC is running. You could add a second toyota fan or just take control of your existing condenser fan.

 

[GTV]

Would be great to have some kind of automated solution that didn't require me throwing a switch or pressing a button to engage.

Like a thermostatically operated electric fan that is on most (all?) new cars built these days...

 

[Heraldo]

Your condenser fan should be running under that condition. Are you sure it was not running?

See, that's what I thought. A condenser fan should turn on when the AC Compressor Clutch is engaged. Also, if the engine is reaching those temps the computer might shut off the AC to help keep temps lower.

 

[medtro]

See, that's what I thought. A condenser fan should turn on when the AC Compressor Clutch is engaged. Also, if the engine is reaching those temps the computer might shut off the AC to help keep temps lower.

Condenser fan is not controlled by the clutch. It is controlled by a pressure switch. The coolant temperature for AC cutoff is around 225F, not 212F.

 

[Heraldo]

Condenser fan is not controlled by the clutch. It is controlled by a pressure switch. The coolant temperature for AC cutoff is around 225F, not 212F.

Now, I know. I was also having troubles with my AC and the condenser fan operation was throwing me off on what was the real issue. User @BullElk informed me that the CF comes on at a certain pressure (220psi) and not just when the compressor comes on. Turns out I was 6 ounces low on refridgerent. Differing from much of my experience with all the other vehicles I have owned. Including my 2010 Prius. I even asked a friend to see how his 2020 Civic, operated with the AC on and the fan does turn on as soon as you turn the on AC. Engine hot or cold. Thanks!