Stock fan vs. Aftermarket dual fan setup

[PKP80]

So I've been doing a little readying and thinking about replacing my stock fan setup with an dual fan electrical setup. The biggest plus would be the ability to control when the fans are on and off and being able to run them when the truck is off.

I know AMMO is running an electric setup, any other takers? Just some food for thought and a pic, I know we ALL LUV PICS.

Sam

 

[Rich]

If you run with heavy loads where it gets very hot I would stick with mechanical fan. Mechanical fan will move more air than the electric. Consider adding an aux electric pusher fan if you want to augment existing factory fan.

 

[IBCRUSN]

You have a valid point. However if I can assume for a minute that the fan unit PK is referring to is one that is designed for a Chevy/Ford truck or SUV. I would find it difficult to believe that the mfg. would sell a product that couldn't keep up with the demands that a full size truck would place on an electric fan unit. The one below is for a 92-99 chevy truck. If it'll work for the 96-99 with 255 HP it should work for a 210 HP LC.

http://store.summitracing.com/partd...4294908015+4294924667+4294838842&autoview=sku

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Electric fans draw a fair bit of power. At idle the Toy alternator doesn't make enough juice to keep up with the current draw. By the end of the day on the trail the battery is dead. BTDT... I'd stick to the stock fan.

Nick

 

[Rich]

IBCRUSN, there are plenty of manufacturers that sell aftermarket gear that is lower performance the what they are trying to get the buyer to replace.

Electric fans are limited by the max feasible horsepower of the electic motors. At least one of the major electric fan manufacturers says up front, for heavy load use, such as towing, use a belt driven clutch operated fan.

80 series Landcruisers generate a lot of underhood heat. I wouldn't consider going to an electric primary fan under any circumstances. It would be nice to squeeze in an aux electric pusher fan for extra cooling when stopped or crawling at low speeds.

 

[wildsmith]

I switched to twin 13" Kenlow electric fans on my 1994 HDJ80 early in 2005, I needed the space and clearance they free up for another project I'm working on.

They performed well even in what passes for hot weather over here. They cirtainly move a huge amount of very hot air but I don't know how they'd cope with realy hot weather.

The only thing I'm not sure about is if the OEM fan doesn't create better turbulance and airflow in the whole engine bay whereas the 13" fans just pump out a compact stream of very hot air each right back onto the engine with less general air disturbance. On the other hand that might be complete gibberish

Jon.

 

[Photoman]

Here is a long winded test along with a long winded post I did with some different fans. I didn’t post the final results, but suffice it to say from my crude and controversial test that the stock fan puts out the most air. Next is the SC fan, followed by the electric fans. I was running a Spal 16” puller and a Spal 9” with a custom aluminum shroud.
Generally I do not like the offset design of the stock shroud setup. There is no easy way to clean the DS US side of the radiator with a pressure washer. See pic. The shroud blocks access from the rear and the trans cooler/AC condenser makes it tough from the front. Rant off.

Some of the pros with the electric fans – 1) more HP - 2) cooled the motor much faster at idle or low RPM – 3) drove for 10 or 15k miles over the mountains and through the woods and worked as well as stock or SC fan. – 4) can shut them down for water crossing.
Some cons 1) very noisy - 2) These fans pulled (tested) a total of 25 amps when running. – 3) it takes a pancake design fan motor (usually moves less air) to fit in because of water pump etc. - 4) They need to be wired to either constant on, or have to come on with the AC compressor. I ended up changing to constant on. I cannot speak for other models but with the 97 40th the AC cycles on and off repeatedly which is tough on the fan relays. Also, along this line I had problems with the fuses going bad. Not the fuse itself, but the fuse holder. It would get so hot on one leg of the fuse (#12 wires) that it melted the fuse holder. Tried several and had the same problem. I’m sure this could be fixed but when back in the woods it’s tough. Another problem I think with my design was the larger fan seemed to fight or actually draw through the shroud hole for the smaller fan. Probably just as well off with one fan? Lastly, for my particular type of use, if the electric fans were to go bad, it would be hard to find a replacement.
Other pic shows electric fans I was using.

Bill

 

[wildsmith]

problems with the fuses going bad. Not the fuse itself, but the fuse holder. It would get so hot on one leg of the fuse (#12 wires) that it melted the fuse holder

I had that problem, solved by switching to what are called Maxi fuses and holder in the UK. They're like a bigger version of the normal spade fuses with much higher current ratings. Problem solved for me.

The blades on my fans are shaped more like the OEM fan blades where yours seem less shaped? A pair of 13" are about the width of the radiator so I wonder if they give better coverage and cooling? They came with short tubular shrouds that they suck the air down.

They definately shift a lot of air which is good when stationary or low speed but I wonder how much of that heat gets to escape the engine bay with no real turbulance in there.

Jon.

 

[boydmick]

A point worth mentioning is that the factory fan; by design, throws air outward and rearward (essentially around the engine). This turbulance also pushes hot air out the bottom of the engine compartmnet from front to rear.

The electric fans are designed to push air predominantly in one direction. This may improve cooling of the radiator, but does little for all of the other heat sources under the hood.

Boyd

 

[White Shark]

I just ripped the dual electric fans out. They sucked and couldn't keep the 350 cool pulling grades, much less on hot days, even when both fans were running. I put the mechanical blade and fan clutch on and I've been climbing super steep, soupy muddy slopes, grinding low rpm's up 1000 ft climbs without even breaking a sweat. I love the mechanical fan. I will not be switching back to the electrics. No relay problems, no cooling problems, and no on and off switching or screwing around. The mechanical setup runs with the engine and everything stays cool. Perfect!