Need Ideas For Replacement Cooling Fan

[CrewCabDiesel]

My clutch fan is shot and my radiator fan shroud is broken. I was thinking it might be time for a electric cooling fan option. Anyone have any ideas where to get one, whats the best or maybe how to make one ?

Kyle

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1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4 in 1999. Converted to a non-intercooled 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & 5 speed Getrag in 2000(wife can't drive a stick . Freshly rebuilt and balanced Cummins. Rebuilt Injector pump and tweaked. 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 205 transfer case, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. Next add-on some “Banks” toys ! Wish Dodge would build a new Crew Cab in 1 ton. Last year for the Crew Cab was 1985. If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand Ford and Chevy. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Crewcabdiesel,
I am about to be in your shoes too with my trucks. I don't know much, but a lot of people like their hortons, and the idea makes sense as long as the sensor does not fail at temps over 40 degrees or when towing. Somebody saved a ton of money on here by installing an electric fan on there truck, and says it works great. Of course I cannot remember their name, but I think it was like a drag car set-up two smaller fans on either side, one top side, and one on the bottom.
Good luck!

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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually (All quiet for now)
1992 W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5" exhaust(don't ask)

 

[Banshe]

I'd check out the Flex-A-Lite Black Magic series electric fans. I'm running a Horton, but based on the infrequency at which it kicks on, I'd think that the Flex-A-Lite might work. The 15" one moves up to 2,800 CFM. Cost is about a third of the Horton. Lot of speculation about whether or not the electric fan can move enough air. Someone needs to try it and let us know. Maybe buy it from someplace that carries a satisfaction guarantee for 30 days or so. I think most major auto parts houses can order the fan for you.

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'95, 2500, 4X4, ext cab, white, 3. 54 rear end, auto transmission
Griffin Radiator, Banks Power Pak, Kondolay TC, Kondolay VB, 16cm Turbo, 4" exhaust, Horton Fan, Bosch 215, BD Governor Springs, Brite Box, Mag Hytec transmission Pan, aux transmission Cooler, Bully Dog Propane, Wiley Coyote strapped to my grill

 

[Cooker]

Banshe,

I'm thinking of trying your idea. I need to get more info on how often the Horton runs, loads, temp, ect. The info I've seen so far suggest that a fan such as the Black Magic would be fine. The only thing I'm skeptical of is the fuses for the fan blowing out for some wierd reason, or the fan failing to engauge for any reson. I had this happen on a gasser I had one time. I left the truck ideling while I ran into the store for 2 minutes and I came back to water boiling out of the cap. Not a good feeling. I would hate for that to happen to my Cummins.

Ryan

 

[Power Wagon]

I would seriously not reccommend using an electric fan. I've seen a couple conversions done that way, and they don't cool anywhere near enough.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

The Horton setup sounds like the best idea so far, but I am going to have to wait. THE wife had to have a new oven,and my truck money just kinda disappeared. So much in the idea of keeping my truck money in the joint checking account #ad
. Keep those ideas comming, I am still going to upgrade the cooling fan, so if someone has a better idea, speak up. It is going to take me a few weeks to hide the money for it anyway, and I need to get the gauges first.



[This message has been edited by CrewCabDiesel (edited 01-24-2001). ]

 

[DJP]

Kyle,
If you are short on cash, just go to Autozone and pick up an aftermarket replacement for 60 bucks. I put one on my '89 last year, and it works fine. I can tell you it will pull more air than any electric fan set up out there. Unless you plan on sitting in traffic idling for prolong periods of time, I really don't see the advantage of electric over mechanical.

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, K&N, straight piped, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K and still going.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I installed the Horton in my 93 in June of 99. At first I thought my truck was running too hot in higher (over 95) temps but it is just the nature of the Horton. It almost never comes on except when I have the A/C on in traffic, saves on diesel to the point where it has almost paid for itself, you can pre-cool before those long hills and the truck reaches operating temps quicker. I am happy with mine and would recomend it to anyone.
Happy Trails

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[Banshe]

Ryan,

I installed my Horton, left Colorado Springs and headed into Tucson. This was in October. From Tucson I decided to leave the fan off until I got to the mountain pass about 2 hrs from San Diego on I-8. I turned the fan on about 1/4 to 1/2 mile before the climb and left it on for the climb. Other than the mountain climb, the fan never kicked in. Water temps never exceeded 190. transmission temp got to 170 on the mountain climb. I was hauling a 13. 5K lb 5ver on the whole trip. Driving without towing, my fan never kicks in. Of course the ambient is bewteen -5 and plus 40! You don't really need the fan as long as your moving. If your in stop-&-go traffic, that would probably require a fan. Same for slow towing. If you wait for another year or so, when my Horton craps out I'm gonna go with the Black Magic fan. Then I can tell you for sure what to do.

Everyone I know of that has had a Horton, says two things about it. 1) They are pricey! 2) They work great! Well, almost everybody. I saw one thread where the fan died at a year. The guy writing that one said 1) They are pricey. and 2) I hate 'em!

Hopefully I've given you some pros, cons, loop holes, overs, unders , arounds and throughs. Good Luck!!!

 

[R.E. Miller]

Banshe,
What is the black magic fan, where do you get one, and what is it's claim to fame?
Thanks

 

[jsimpson]

I'm running two PermaCool 14" side by side. They do a fantastic job. I got 'em from Summit for 89 bucks each. Do NOT use fans which are mounted in shrouds; they block more air than they blow!

 

[Banshe]

R. E. ,
The Black Magic is the high end electric fan series marketed by Flex-a-Lite. They are available at most autoparts stores, including Summit. I spoke to the folks at Flex-a-Lite last year about them and they expected one fan would do, but said that I could mount two, same as jsimpson did above.

jsimpson,
How long you been using the electric fans? Have you towed with the setup? I've seen speculation in the TDR for the past several years about whether or not the electric fans could move high enough CFM rate. After talking with Flex-a-Lite, I was pretty sure they'd work, but I still wanted someone else to prove it. #ad

 

[Banshe]

Yep,
I think I'm gonna go straight electric when my Horton dies. I got used to not having the fan on when it's not needed. Since the Horton can be turned off/on I was able to make a dyno run both with and without the fan engaged. The faster ya go, the more power it robs. At 60mph it was sucking 21hp.

 

[jsimpson]

I've towed with them, although Florida is mostly flat. They pull a lot more air than the stock fan. The AC works better, the oil pressure is higher, and the transmission temp is cooler. They have NO shroud to block airflow, and they pull well though the transmission and oil coolers with the dual setup. They have the advantage of being able to switch them off during winter and during warmup.

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N air filter, cleaned-up exhaust, Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt pump, thermostatically controlled twin 14" Permacool electric fans, intercooler), modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, R-134 refrigernt, louvered front fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothie grille, new Dupont Chromacolor black, black-and-red rubber rubstrip, black headlights, powdercoated bumpers; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. To see my truck, Click on: <A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169022&a=10097213

Jesus" TARGET=_blank>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1169022&a=10097213

Jesus</A> saves!

 

[Stab]

Go with the Horton! The best investment yet!

Banshe: Why do you expect your horton to die?

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Owner: Stabco Repower-stabco@bbc.net The turbo housing guys. '89, CC, SB, 5sp, 3. 54, 16cm2 housing, intercooled, maxed fuel, KN, Banks exh w/muffler, Horton fan clutch, Autometer liquid filled gauges, Accessory tach option, 100% Dyna-Mat, Borgeson steering shaft, Firestone air bags, Chrysler V-twin air comp, 2. 5" lift, Rancho Shocks, Alcoa LTS wheels (recalled), BFG 255/85/R16 MTs (33. 3")

 

[drawson]

Come summer I'll be running a 15" on the right outside on the A/c condencer and a 18" on the inside. I only have the 15" on right now it is wired to run any time the A/C is on as well as having a manual switch inside the cab. The on on the inside will also have a manual over ride switch and be hooked up to an adjustable coolant temp sensor.

The only problem I can fore see is if you where towing at low speeds all the time. Or extended Dyno time.


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EAT'M UP
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54, Forrest Green/Driftwood, LSD 5 speed, & Psychotty Air System, TST #11, 370 HP injectors, timing at 16 deg. , 16CM2 housing, AFC spring kit, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, TST EGT gauge & 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar, Cat-be-gone, 4" Dynomax Bullet muffler, Crome 4" turn down, Rad fan removed, AmsOil Through out, Geno's trans filter kit, AmsOil Bypass system, Lund Winter front, Leer Cab Level Shell Driftwood , 255/85R16, Dyno'd 342 HP pre injectors & turbo housing *NRA/USPSA member and proud of it*

 

[The patriot]

If you decide on an electric fan, try running automatically resetting breakers, instead of fuses.
When I was an owner operator, my Mack had them. They'll trip, and reset them selves in about 15-30 seconds. Beats the hell out of replacing fuses.

I pulled my fan out for the winter. I havent towed anything, but I have a winter cover, and everything has been OK up to 60 degrees.
I'll go the electric route if it pans out here.
I have a 24' TT, but tow it very seldom.
Eric

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Michelin 275 75 16 lr-E. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 63,000 Mi as of 1/27/01.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

[DJP]

If you decide to go with the electric fans, you may want to go with another alternator, maybe a 250 - 300 amper otta do it! Anytime you convert one form of energy to another, power is lost. Mechanical energy is used to turn an alternator, to produce electrical energy. The electrical energy is used to charge the batteries, and the batteries then supply electrical energy to your fan motor. The fan motor then uses the electrical energy to turn a fan (back to mechanical energy again). If you think your mechanical fan is robbing too much power, how much power do you think your alternator is going to rob? Simply put, you don't get something for nothing. Then again, if you got one of them 2nd generation trucks, you might just as well add an electric fan, heck everything else is electric!

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, K&N, Full Boar Muffler, 3" exhaust, Diesel Dynamics Stage 1 kit, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K miles.

 

[Banshe]

Stab,

I'd seen a couple of threads where the Horton has died. The warranty is only for a year, that kinda makes me a little leary. My luck has always been that within a couple weeks of a warranty expiring, mine "whatever" will fail. Been that way for appliances, tools, vehicles, and I expect the same for the fan. Now that "I'm my own warranty station", I need to look at things like this. Hope I'm wrong.

DJP,
You mention upgrading the alternator. I agree that's a good idea, don't know about using GigaWatt alternators. #ad
The folks at Flex-a-lite did say that when their biggest fan kicks on, it sucks about 45amps. With two fans, if they kick on at the same, let me see here, that means they would suck ... hmmmm ... . a lot!!!! #ad

 

[DJP]

Banshe,
Only a one year warranty for the Horton? My cheap Autozone fan clutch has a better warranty than that! Not to discredit the Horton fan, but what kind of warranty do you get with the electric fan set up? If there is a warranty on the electric fan, does it also warranty your alternator after you overload and smoke it? I'm a firm believer in K. I. S. S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid!).