fitting an electric fan to replace viscous

[Madmark]

Has it been done by any one with a t2 2.7 if so how have you controlled how fan is turned on and where have you put the sensor

 

[elty001]

I fitted twin electric fans on my old terrano, had a sensor wired in to control box so you could adjust when the fans kicked in
My sensor went into the top radiator hose.

 

[jims-terrano]

Did you notice much difference with the electric fans?

 

[elty001]

Was a little better on fuel and in cold weather the engine got up to temp quicker.

 

[Madmark]

That's cool bud I like that. Where did you fit sensor to as I reckon in thermostat housing where other sensors are is best bet.

 

[rustic]

That's cool bud I like that. Where did you fit sensor to as I reckon in thermostat housing where other sensors are is best bet.

You are right, looking at the picture, he's fitted it into the top rad hose, you can see the wire coming out under the jubilee clip.:thumb2

 

[solarman216]

Best place for sensing the cut in point of electric fans is in the bottom hose, as all the time the rad is doing its job properly this pipe will remain cool, when this pipe heats up to near top hose temperature this indicates the rad cannot cope and the fans to energise, sensor in the top hose has a much lower hysteresis, (cut in/cut out point) and so is much more difficult to set correctly, Rick

 

[Madmark]

Best place for sensing the cut in point of electric fans is in the bottom hose, as all the time the rad is doing its job properly this pipe will remain cool, when this pipe heats up to near top hose temperature this indicates the rad cannot cope and the fans to energise, sensor in the top hose has a much lower hysteresis, (cut in/cut out point) and so is much more difficult to set correctly, Rick

Perfect bud now is there a universal sensor or can I use any one as all must be set near the same. And I know you can get the alloy adapter that fits into hose

 

[elty001]

Top rad hose was the easiest option ,I also fitted a manual override switch so I could put the fans on when I wanted to.

 

[solarman216]

Mmmmmm, problem with manual over ride is that possibly by the time you notice that it needs over ridding it may well be too late, and in any case the top hose is regulated to whatever your thermostat is rated at (lets say 88 c) so by the time it gets to 94 and cuts your fans in the whole rad will be full of 88-94 water, not a good scenario, while in the bottom hose the fans will come on as soon as the rad temperature starts to climb not after it has already done so, so move your sensor to the bottom hose and set it at around 75 c, or lower, Rick

 

[elty001]

This was on my old truck which I sold a couple of years ago. I just fitted it as the instructions told me, unless I had the picture upside down :lol

 

[Madmark]

This was on my old truck which I sold a couple of years ago. I just fitted it as the instructions told me, unless I had the picture upside down :lol

Lol

 

[Madmark]

Any idea what internal diameter is of bottom rad hose on 2.7 please so I can order the adapter

 

[rustic]

On our Austin Ambassador, the sensor was in a pocket halfway down the radiator. That had an electric fan.:thumb2

 

[solarman216]

Any idea what internal diameter is of bottom rad hose on 2.7 please so I can order the adapter

Bottom rad spigot measures 35 mm and the lip at 38 mm, Rick

 

[micktheshed]

Thoughts on a related issue:

I've had a Kenlow fan fitted in place of the normal fan for 3 years (3L auto). This was originally fitted because the viscous unit was faulty & it was much cheaper than buying & fitting a water pump/viscous unit.
However during the recent hot spell (LOL, 2 days at 25deg+ !) towing my 1.6t 'van the temperature gauge went round to 2/3rds for the first time ever. This occurred at 30/35mph, on a gradual long climb, so natural air flow was low but the electric fan quickly reduced it after selecting manual (maybe the temp. sensor has failed again?).

& my point is: Despite my use of the manual override after a towing session I have serious doubts regarding the cooling of the turbo prior to shutting off, & the oil cooler rad for the auto fluid, for that matter.

The original viscous fan would appear to me to be better at general engine cooling than is an electric, despite being less efficient with fuel. As my water pump will need changing soon (slight leak) I'm thinking of re-fitting the original fan (during the summer only......if we have one LOL) but removing it otherwise (& moving the electric fan to the front of the rad as a back-up). This will entail removing the aircon rad but that doesn’t work either LOL.

My main concern is the turbo & auto fluid temps, any thoughts?

 

[elty001]

You will never match the original viscous fans cooling ability with a couple of electronic ones.
Mine was done because my original fan exploded and took the rad with it.
Never had any overheating issues but didn't tow anything too heavy with the truck.

 

[Madmark]

To be honest I'm tempted to just replace viscous as its one less thing my battery has to run

 

[elty001]

Battery don't run the viscous it's mechanical.

 

[don simon]

Battery don't run the viscous it's mechanical.

I think that's what he meant, replace viscous with another viscous. I might be wrong though.