Electric Fan Conversion?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I'd say FlexALite rated their 6,200cfm Efan setup for the 7.3l at 18,000 GCWR for a reason. The 7.3l is even more cold blooded than a 5.4l or 6.8l so use your imagination where the GCWR rating would go on the gassers.
All I know is I've pushed my truck loaded up grades and have held 4,500rpm for 5+ miles and the coolant temps went up 3-4 degrees. Thus the OE fan does a pretty good job. If the truck starts to overheat, starts having detonation and loses power while being worked any gain from the efan is pointless in my mind.
On my 74' F-100 that doesn't do any kind of heavy towing sure I'd stick an e-fan on it.
All I know is I've pushed my truck loaded up grades and have held 4,500rpm for 5+ miles and the coolant temps went up 3-4 degrees. Thus the OE fan does a pretty good job. If the truck starts to overheat, starts having detonation and loses power while being worked any gain from the efan is pointless in my mind.
On my 74' F-100 that doesn't do any kind of heavy towing sure I'd stick an e-fan on it.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Did you read the FlexALite description?
At 36 amp it is slightly above 1/2 HP output, yet they claim to free as much as 25 hp from the engine.
If you trust them, why not get 5 of them and you will get so much power freed, that you will not need your engine at all.
At 36 amp it is slightly above 1/2 HP output, yet they claim to free as much as 25 hp from the engine.
If you trust them, why not get 5 of them and you will get so much power freed, that you will not need your engine at all.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Any reduction in rotating weight of the engine, accessories, driveshaft and other drivetrain pieces will show up as a gain of measured HP at the rear wheels.
It's not a "real world" HP gain in terms of actual torque@RPM...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Well I am going to toss this into the mix.
Electric fan gets it power from where ???
Oh yet the alternator so how much load is
ittaking back out in trying to make the 12V @ X amps?
Just a thought
Sean
Electric fan gets it power from where ???
Oh yet the alternator so how much load is
ittaking back out in trying to make the 12V @ X amps?
Just a thought
Sean
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
This is interesting and the thought of replacing the mach. fan with electric never crossed my mind.
Most bigger high perf cars we always ran more than 1 electric fan. I would think with how big the diesel radiator is near 4 electric fans would be needed to cover the whole thing and move enough air. But will 4 electric fans draw enough power to load the alternator as much as the mechanical fan did on the water pump? maybe not, I'm not a number nerd so i can't figure it out. Honestly I don't think the electrical load would be anywhere near the mechanical fan load.
I would be totally interested in doing this on my 7.3 X! The extra mileage and room under the hood is very welcome around here!
Most bigger high perf cars we always ran more than 1 electric fan. I would think with how big the diesel radiator is near 4 electric fans would be needed to cover the whole thing and move enough air. But will 4 electric fans draw enough power to load the alternator as much as the mechanical fan did on the water pump? maybe not, I'm not a number nerd so i can't figure it out. Honestly I don't think the electrical load would be anywhere near the mechanical fan load.
I would be totally interested in doing this on my 7.3 X! The extra mileage and room under the hood is very welcome around here!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I did own several cars with single electric fan. But how many cars pull 20,000 or more lb?
In cars the big power is used for 5 seconds at green light, while mid size sedan needs about 10-15 HP to roll at 55 mph.So in cars the need for big coolling comes only when you hit one of long grades we have with 100F outside.
Sure if you use your truck as a grocery getter in mild climate -you will be fine with electric fan. But what part of 1/2HP fan will not replace 20HP fan can't you understand ?
In cars the big power is used for 5 seconds at green light, while mid size sedan needs about 10-15 HP to roll at 55 mph.So in cars the need for big coolling comes only when you hit one of long grades we have with 100F outside.
Sure if you use your truck as a grocery getter in mild climate -you will be fine with electric fan. But what part of 1/2HP fan will not replace 20HP fan can't you understand ?
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I did own several cars with single electric fan. But how many cars pull 20,000 or more lb?
In cars the big power is used for 5 seconds at green light, while mid size sedan needs about 10-15 HP to roll at 55 mph.So in cars the need for big coolling comes only when you hit one of long grades we have with 100F outside.
Sure if you use your truck as a grocery getter in mild climate -you will be fine with electric fan. But what part of 1/2HP fan will not replace 20HP fan can't you understand ?
In cars the big power is used for 5 seconds at green light, while mid size sedan needs about 10-15 HP to roll at 55 mph.So in cars the need for big coolling comes only when you hit one of long grades we have with 100F outside.
Sure if you use your truck as a grocery getter in mild climate -you will be fine with electric fan. But what part of 1/2HP fan will not replace 20HP fan can't you understand ?
Not talking about sedans and grocery, talking about 1000hp+ cars cruising the street making more heat than a space shuttle on launch.
So the stock mech fan pulls 10K CFM. If a guy put 4 6K CFM electric fans on the radiator which should pull 24K CFM total, how is that not doing the job?
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Its been awhile, searching it looks as though to get 6K cfm two fans are needed. So 4 fans would be 12K cfm.
Also found a diesel electric fan kit all ready to go.
Flex-a-Lite Fans - Diesel Truck Electric Fan Model 278 - Ford SD 4wd - Flex-A-Lite 278 - Truck Customizers
Also found a diesel electric fan kit all ready to go.
Flex-a-Lite Fans - Diesel Truck Electric Fan Model 278 - Ford SD 4wd - Flex-A-Lite 278 - Truck Customizers
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
These are the cadillac escalade fans I was talking about. They are big but I think 4 could fit the diesel radiator. Also if all 4 don't fit on one side a guy could put the two big ones on the back to pull air and two smaller pushers on the front. The pushers would be right on the AC condenser I believe so I would wire those to come on with the AC.
Oops, forgot the pics. lol
Oops, forgot the pics. lol