|
By Tazx100 - 2 Years Ago
|
Hi folks I am installing a 6 volt electric fan on a 55 fairlane, its going to be using a toggle switch to turn it on and off and I was wondering if I need a relay to handle the start up amps?
|
|
By blocky - 2 Years Ago
|
|
i would
|
|
By Daniel Jessup - 2 Years Ago
|
|
I would highly suggest a relay for an electric fan - most often, electric fans are sold with wiring kits that include a relay and thermostatic switch.
|
|
By RB - 2 Years Ago
|
|
Relay is best, but if you get a toggle that will handle 30 amps you should be OK
|
|
By FORD DEARBORN - 2 Years Ago
|
|
Are you still running a 6 volt system and generator? If so, a generator will likely struggle to supply power for an electric fan, especially on 6 volts at low rpm's when you may need it the most.
|
|
By miker - 2 Years Ago
|
|
Ford Dearborn raises a good point. Having used several electric fans, some of which wouldn’t cool an engine, some of which were just auxiliaries or for A/C condensers, they vary a lot. What are you doing that leads you to need one? More info might just save a trip down the wrong rabbit hole.
|
|
By Tazx100 - 2 Years Ago
|
The 272 dosent run hot going down the road but it does creep when you let it idle, I am not replacing the fan just using the electric fan sparingly. ANnd its a 6 volt generator.
|
|
By DryLakesRacer - 2 Years Ago
|
|
Tazx100.. this problem has been discussed many times here or on other forums. The fix is a smaller water pump pulley off a 67 Mustang 289-302. Your water pump is not turning enough at idle. They have 1 or 2 belt pulleys. Summit/Jegs/Speedway sell them along with many suppliers by using google; mine measures 5-7/8” and they also sell 6-1/8” and I would buy a spacer kit also to help align the pulley. If you still have the 3 blade fan a 4-5-or 6 would also help. A 1/2 “ shorter fan belt may also be needed.
I’ll post the pulley # here when I look it up. Don’t worry about cavitation if your not planning on diving the interstates continuously at 80-90 mph. If you google and find a Mr. Gasket or Trans-Dapt # from some supplier check the number on Amazon also. A Trans-Dapt 8300 is the 6-1/8”
|
|
By FORD DEARBORN - 2 Years Ago
|
|
Tazx100 - What DLR posted has solved the exact issue you are having by many folks on this forum. A 6 volt generator puts out very little power and often times none at idle. That means more than likely the electric fan will be driven by the battery at idling rpm's when you need it most and that would create a partially charged battery. I would try to solve this by one or some combination of the items posted above.
|
|
By Tazx100 - 2 Years Ago
|
I saw those posts and bought a mr. gasket 8826 6 in pulley and the space kit, however my car has 1/2 in wide belt and the 8826 is for a 3/8 belt. If you folks have the numbers for a pulley for a 1/2 wide belt that would be GREAT. I have even thought about putting the 8826 pulley on and and using a 3/8 belt, the engine dosent get over 2300 rpm but I hate to try that and the belt swarms and who knows what it could do. So i saw this 6 volt fan and thought Id check it out, I agree the ol generator isnt putting any voltage out at idle and the battery isnt that big and batteries dont like getting behind.
|
|
By DryLakesRacer - 2 Years Ago
|
If you had stated that you had bought a pulley to speed up the pump because others here have wrote about it but it didn’t work and why I would have started with the next paragraph.
I’d make a 1” wide wooden wedge that copied your 1/2” belt pulley and start around the 3/8” pulley making it wider with a hammer hitting the wedge. Do it vertically with the pulley on a 2x4. Take your time moving the wedge 1/2” at a time and go around the new pulley 3 or 4 times. You’re only reforming it 1/16” on each side. Bolt it on the hub after the checking the belt in the groove and make sure it’s straight. Hot Rodding at its finest.
|
|
By FORD DEARBORN - 2 Years Ago
|
|
It would have been great if you could have increased the speed of the pump and fan, a double win. You can observe the flow by fully warming up the engine with the radiator cap off and then observe the flow of coolant. An assistant can put the vehicle in gear with brakes applied while you check the flow in the radiator. Some have reported no flow under these conditions. This will at least give you an idea wether the electric fan will help or not. If you have a manual transmission, picking up the idle may help also. You have a good understanding of the 6 volt/generator electrical system's limitations. Good luck - let us know how it goes.
|
|
By Tazx100 - 2 Years Ago
|
|
It would be a lot easier if I could find a pulley for a 1/2 wide belt, the parts guys of today are programmed to the computer. I have also thought about going to a machine shop and see what they say about enlarging the pulleys width. Oh well nothing happens fast with this car, every item Ive repaired or replaced took time to get done. Thanks for you guys input I really do appreciate it.
|
|
By FORD DEARBORN - 2 Years Ago
|
|
I know this is not the way to do thigs but have you explored how your 1/2" belt rides in the 3/8" shiv pulley? Maybe the manufacturing tolerances are such that it might work. Sometimes off-shore tolerances are pretty sloppy.
|
|
By DryLakesRacer - 2 Years Ago
|
Ford Dearborn, I would have suggested that too. All he needs to do is change the pulley, align it properly with the shim kit, and use the 1/2" belt in the 3/8" pulley. I would adjust it once a month and in 6 months or so the pressure will probably open the pulley wider. I didn't because if it was too tight it might cause a bearing problem with either the generator or water pump.
Before the wooden wedge way I would have done it with a pair of lineman pliers or a channel locks bending the sides out a little bit. I'm sure I did when I was 16 and never gave it another thought.
|
|
By Tazx100 - 2 Years Ago
|
|
You guys have gave me some ideas that I hadnt thought of.If I was 16 I would do the plier method and if parts and pieces werent so hard to find I would put a 3/8 belt on it and see what happened, right now Ive got the front fender off and I should have the new on this week " it only took 2 years to find a fender that I could afford and was close enough to go get" and I hope to have everything put togther in the next week or so. It will be a few weeks before i get back on the temp issue and if you guys have anymore ideas I would apprecaiate your thoughts. Oh yeah if you need any parts for a fairlane I found a guy in Tenn. that has a LOT. His name is Norbert Doll.
|