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Old May 6, 2018 | 10:23 AM
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Hey everyone,
I'm planning a e-fan swap (single fan set-up) soon and have been reading through some of the posts here. I think that I've got it down except for whether I need a relay or not. I'm not that well-versed in automotive electrical stuff, so sorry if it's a dumb question. Can I just connect the thermostat to either constant switch-on power (with an inline fuse) and connect the fan to the thermostat? If not, can someone explain what else I'll have to do. If I need a relay then can someone give me a part number?

Thanks!
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Old May 6, 2018 | 10:48 AM
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I do believe you need a relay other wise your fan will always be on. This is what I used on my fans: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...+control&pos=6
And I would really think about a dual 14" fan setup wired independently so that you have a redundant system. And if you have A/C you will want to wire the fans into that system so they come one when the A/C is on. And just an FYI, on my truck, I gained nearly 2 mpg when I went to the e-fans! Good luck on your project and let me know if you have any questions!
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Old May 6, 2018 | 01:48 PM
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This thread:
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=286316
...is my most-recent attempt at explaining this, and the FIRST time the guy asking the question actually understood what I was trying to say. It's only 3 pages, and you can skip most of the other posts, so there are probably <20 posts in it to read.

There is no electrical thermostat on the truck (unless someone already added one), and no automotive thermostatic switch can handle the current that an e-fan pulls. So a relay (at least one) is an absolute necessity for an e-fan. But an e-fan is not an absolute necessity. Why do you want one?
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Old May 6, 2018 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by clintm6
I do believe you need a relay other wise your fan will always be on. This is what I used on my fans: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...+control&pos=6
And I would really think about a dual 14" fan setup wired independently so that you have a redundant system. And if you have A/C you will want to wire the fans into that system so they come one when the A/C is on. And just an FYI, on my truck, I gained nearly 2 mpg when I went to the e-fans! Good luck on your project and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks! Can you answer a couple more questions? Sorry if they sound simple, I just don't want to f--- it up!
1.) Is the wiring for the control module in the link that you included pretty straightforward? Would I just use two of those control modules to wire them independently?
2.) Which dual e-fans did you use (from a supplier or make, model, and year from JY)?
3.) Can you tell me how to wire the second fan into the A/C system? I'm assuming that I'll need a different relay for that. Do you have a part number that you could recommend?
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Old May 6, 2018 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve83
This thread:
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=286316
...is my most-recent attempt at explaining this, and the FIRST time the guy asking the question actually understood what I was trying to say. It's only 3 pages, and you can skip most of the other posts, so there are probably <20 posts in it to read.

There is no electrical thermostat on the truck (unless someone already added one), and no automotive thermostatic switch can handle the current that an e-fan pulls. So a relay (at least one) is an absolute necessity for an e-fan. But an e-fan is not an absolute necessity. Why do you want one?
Thanks for the link. I've read a lot of testimonials about increased mileage, etc, after installing e-fans and want to give it a shot.
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Old May 6, 2018 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazarus-F150
Thanks! Can you answer a couple more questions? Sorry if they sound simple, I just don't want to f--- it up!
1.) Is the wiring for the control module in the link that you included pretty straightforward? Would I just use two of those control modules to wire them independently?
2.) Which dual e-fans did you use (from a supplier or make, model, and year from JY)?
3.) Can you tell me how to wire the second fan into the A/C system? I'm assuming that I'll need a different relay for that. Do you have a part number that you could recommend?
The Control module wiring is not too difficult, and you only need one because it controls two fans on separate circuits with separate relays. The link I posted earlier was for a single fan, but this one is for dual fans: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...SABEgJw3_D_BwE
I used this fan kit https://ffdynamics.com/products/f15028 but I had repeated problems with their controller that's why I replaced it with the Hayden. But the fans work good and you can buy them separately
The instructions on the controller should tell you how to wire it up, but on my truck the black/yellow wire from the A/C compressor plug wired in to the green wire on the A/C circuit of the controller.
Also, I used this fitting in the upper radiator hose https://www.ebay.com/itm/44mm-or-1-3...72.m2749.l2649 and a screw in temperature sensor (can't find the link!).

I'm sure you can find a controller that comes with a threaded temp sensor unless you're comfortable using the probe through the radiator.
If you take a look at my album, you'll see some pics of the set-up I did, but feel free to ask for any help!
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Old May 6, 2018 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazarus-F150
I've read a lot of testimonials about increased mileage, etc, after installing e-fans...
You can read just as many about fuel line magnets, electric superchargers, Hydrogen generators, and every flavor of snake oil. It's physically impossible for an e-fan to increase the MPG of an old engine/vehicle. The entire vehicle has to be designed around the e-fan for it to be marginally better than a mechanical fan.

This & the NEXT few show several ways of wiring up e-fans with simple switches & relays:


(phone app link)


I ran e-fans for a few years just because I had some, so it was cheaper than buying a new clutch. But it stressed the alt (even though it was the big 130A), and I went back to a clutch fan.

Last edited by Steve83; May 6, 2018 at 09:52 PM.
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Old May 7, 2018 | 09:17 AM
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The E fan doesn't so much increase the fuel mileage, as free it up. Most of the time you don't need a fan at all, & controlled properly, the E-fan will stay off most of the time. The real win comes from removing the weight and drag from the stock fan. There is a valid argument; that the E-fan increases the maintenance frequency, and cost. The stock clutch fan might need replaced once or twice in the lifetime of the truck, & overall it is bullet proof. There is also the alternator upgrade, most of the stock ones are less than adequate for the increased draw of an E-fan, so unless you've already bumped to at least 130amp, include that in the cost.
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Old May 7, 2018 | 12:08 PM
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It doesn't free anything up - it consumes more gas than a mechanical fan (which is DEclutched most of the time, too). The e-fan system weighs MORE than the clutch fan system, and the e-fan creates more drag when it's off than the clutch fan does.
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Old May 7, 2018 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve83
It doesn't free anything up - it consumes more gas than a mechanical fan (which is DEclutched most of the time, too). The e-fan system weighs MORE than the clutch fan system, and the e-fan creates more drag when it's off than the clutch fan does.
I'm more concerned with the parasitic drag of 15 lbs on the water pump shaft being part of the rotating mass, than the GVW.
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