Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Electric Fan's

[BigBadDodge]

Anybody here runing dual electric fans, the flex-a-lite type, did you see any performance gains buy removing the belt driven fan from the motor ?



BBD

 

[BPonci]

Hi scott, i have a horton and didn't notice any change in power from less rotating resistance. Hope this might help you.

 

[Nick2]

I run no fan, definately noticed a quicker revving engine -but my fan was locked up to begin with. just my $. 02

 

[vssman]

BBD,



I run two electrics that I took out of some Park Aves (1988ish). I use a universal thermostatic switch with a manual override to turn them off and on. They've been on the truck since March and I have had zero issues with them. I ran fanless last winter and decided to go this way so I can get good heat in the winter without having to take the regular fan off. I posted info about the install a while ago. Do a search...

 

[NHouse]

I run without my fan from about September through May, I also noticed quicker revving and less noise. Maybe this winter I'll get around to doing the electric fans, mostly for the AC. I have even towed my 5000 pound boat in 85 degree weather and not had a heat problem, but if you are stopped for any length of time the AC doesn't work as well.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is a definate differance in power and fuel economy if you measure accurately,but at your power level will you feel it?10 or 15 hp is only what percent of your power?I loved my Horton till I tore it up when I broke the motor mount :{



Bob

 

[BigBadDodge]

Thanks for the replies guys, I am thinking about going to a dual Flex-A-Lite system I saw in the sumitt cataloge, I checked out there web page as well pretty decent stuff there. Maybe a set that would fit up to a new PDR Intercooler



BBD

 

[drawson]

Scott(BBD), I ran electric fans for three years, three of them. A 18 " in the inside, 14" in front of the A/C condencer, & 8" in front of the intercooler. In 100 Deg temps all three are needed to keep it cool just running down the road at low speeds towing. I lost one of the relays(14") one day towing a bobcat and it got hot :{



IMO Electric fans are enough for truck when they get to our HP level alone. I still have the outside two on and will be taking the fan off here shortly for the winter. I really like the faster cool down the electrics offer when coming to a stop. And the A/C works alot better with the fan outside the condencer.

 

[BigBadDodge]

Drawson, thanks for the info, just FYI, I removed all of my AC stuff a couple of weeks ago, don't need it. I removed the compressor from the motor and bought a shorter belt, removed the condensor as well and all the lines so I can either put two fans in front of the intercooler, or perhaps two behind the radiator. I am thinking two in front of the intercooler might cool the charge air better. Not sure what would happen if I did both pulling and pushing air.



BBD

 

[drawson]

Scott, I believe the biggest problem is shrouding it the make all the air the electric fan pulls go through the Rad. Using both inside and outside fans would work.



I did some HP test a couple of years ago on my truck w/ and w/o the fan. I do believe I posted results back then, what I remember is cold the stock fan pulled 12 HP and locked up 19 HP and somewhere around 130 deg rad temp there was no HP gain.

 

[willyslover]

Scotty are you looking at those big 5200 CFM ones ??



I have thought of trying them also. .

 

[chrleb1]

Running electric fans won't give you too much help. Then your fan clutch is working right, there is barely any drag on the motor. Now if you install electric fans, you are going to make your alternator work harded because it has to make up for that power drain. Basically, it comes to six of one and half a dozen of the other. If you run electric, make sure you have the fans hooked up to your AC switch.

 

[BigBadDodge]

I was thinking about these at 5500cfm



Monster Fan 290



BBD

 

[Cooker]

TTT



I was just wondering if you ever went to electrics?

 

[BigBadDodge]

Not yet, but I did upgrade the alternator



Next maybe the intercooler, then we will see.



BBD

 

[Dr.Bob]

I have a Horton it has come on about 5 times in the last 5 years. Didn't notice a hp gain but when it comes on there is a hp loss.

 

[DValentine]

I installed two fan pulling. I am kinda fuzz on the numbers but I think they were rated at 1200 cfm each. I thought that I had the bull by the gonads. I worked great on an empty truck... . But pulling 10,000 lbs she wasn't moving the air. As much as I can figure out, it actually was bocking airflow. I overheated the worst going west on I 70 out of Denver, at 45 miles an hour. Don't you think that at 45 mph, enough air would be moving across the radiator?



Oh yeah, this being a '93 with few mods. BBD... IMO you are creating too much heat. Or maybe I wasn't smart about my set up.

Anyway, I am doing a headgasket job as we type Lucky I didn't crack the head.



Good luck,



Dave

 

[RustyJC]

Stock fan (assuming the figures quoted previously in this thread are anywhere close to right) = 12 to 19 BHP



Electric fans (dual Flex-a-Lites drawing 50 amps) 50 amps x 12 volts = 600 watts = 0. 8 BHP



I replaced the stock fan on my 1996 3500 V-10/47RE with a dual Flex-a-lite set. It did OK around town, but when I hitched the much smaller 5th wheel we had back then up to it, forget it. Regardless how efficient the airfoils and shrouding might have been, there was just no way that an electric fan at 0. 8 BHP could move enough air to cool the engine. The stock fan uses 12 to 19 BHP to move air for a reason!



Rusty

 

[JoshPeters]

I have gotten a "noisey" fan from an S500 Mercedes. (Customer complaint, I think it's just as quiet as the new one) The fan diameter is actually bigger than the factory, so when I get it installed I'll let you guys know how it does. It is has a Large electric motor, that has a small belt to drive the fan. It can wind up quite far, far enough to cool a 5. 0L (302hp), as well as a 5. 9L V12 (483hp). I'm hoping to do this conversion this spring.



Josh

PS, I'll take pics during the install