How well do electric fans work?

[Chipstien]

I have been thinking of dropping the noisy factory fan and going with twin electrics. If I was towing a 8000 pound trailer in the heat of summer would the electrics be able to keep her cool? I figure if I have to sacrifice cooling than I won't do it but if it will handle it then I would go ahead and install the electrics. Also which fans are recomended and what sizes etc. Oo.

 

[Joe G.]

The problem is finding an electric fan set up that will move enuff air (CFM). If anyone has been sucessful with electric fans and towing heavy maybe they will chime in. The Horton Fan is the best setup, but it's something like $700.

 

[DarrellB]

Been down that raod once

When I had my truck at Cummins of Cumberland last year for a boost/map sensor problem I asked the techs there the same question. They told me that you couldn't get enough electric fans on the truck to keep it cool if you were really working it. Now with 8,000lbs behind it I don't think that would really work the engine that hard but the loads I pull (any were from 25k to over 30k) I think those give the motor a really good work out. If you were going to be towing a lot on the highway I think you would be fine with a 3 fan set up. Like on big 16" on the back side of the radiator and a couple more on the front of the intercooler, but then your talking as much money as the Horton fan. I just can't see spending that kind of money for a fan when I can buy a fueling box or bigger injectors for the same or less money, and they are a lot more fun.



Just one dumb country boys opinion. :-laf

Big D

 

[azcummins]

Even though the Horton is pricey, it is "fail safe" meaning if it bites the dust, it will die engaged so it will keep your truck cool. If the electric fans die, they stop spinning and up goes your temps.



Horton says you get ~2mpg better with their fan, but $700 is a lot of diesel fuel to pay off... I like it but not for that price.

 

[Chipstien]

Azcummins, do you use the Horton. Any websites that sell the Horton so I could take a look at it. Fuel milage and HP are not the only reasons I have thought about..... Noise is the other.

 

[drawson]

Yes electric fans can die, but what I have found running them is that I cool off faster now sitting still than I did with the OE fan. Unless the OE fan clutch is fully engaged there is hardly any flow at idle. Another big benifit is that the A/C stays cooler sitting at a stop light.

 

[Chipstien]

One of these days when I have a JOB I will think about a Horton. Seems pretty spendy though

 

[jsimpson]

I replaced my stock fan with a pair of Perma-Cool 14" fans from Summit ($95 each), all metal construction and no shrouds. They handled the job perfectly, my AC worked MUCH better at idle, and my oil pressure was higher at idle and at low speeds. Electric fans use more power due energy conversion losses, but worked absolutely GREAT for me. On the other hand, I had tried some cheaper plastic fans with shrouds on my motorhome along with the stock fan, and the made it overheat. The shrouds blocked airflow through the radiator!

 

[azcummins]

Chipstien-

never really thought about the noise factor much. I like my diesel loud, not quiet. I'll probably puke my guts out when I hear the new cummins with the common rail injection. Heck, I even think the 12V sound better than the 24V. I've never ridden in a dodge with a horton, but I've been in my friend's big fig which has a clutch. The fan hardly ever turned on but when it did, it was LOUD!!

 

[illflem]

Chipstien, used to be the Dodge dealer carried Hortons for much the same price as anyone, not sure anymore.



One advantage to living in Montana is I only need my stock fan installed from June to Sept.

 

[GLASMITHS]

Does anyone know the flow rate of the stock fan (CFM)?

 

[jsimpson]

"it hardly ever turned on" and that';s the problem with clutch fans. They don't keep the oil cool and the pressure up, and they have to be wired to come on with the AC, or the overpressure valve in the drier will blow!

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Jsimpson

do you know if there may be a way to wire a toggle switch onto our clutch fans? My peterbilt has a toggle for auto and on. I switch it to on and set the throttle up when i park it for a good quick cool down, would be a nice BOMB for our rams too



Chris

 

[jsimpson]

Wouldn't be a problem with the dual perma-Cool setup on my 89. I'm probably going to duplicate it on my 94!

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by jsimpson

Wouldn't be a problem with the dual perma-Cool setup on my 89. I'm probably going to duplicate it on my 94!

Do the permacool fans 'free wheel' when turned off? Since my A/C is so marginal these days, I've been thinking of installing aux fans in front to help cool the A/C. But I would expect to turn them off once I'm moving, and I would not want them impeding air flow.



Fest3er

 

[jsimpson]

They freewheel and they have no shrouds to impede airflow. AND, they're all metal!