Electric Fans??
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Electric Fans??
I have read that removing the mechanical fan and adding electric radiator fan can result in a gain of up to 20hp and increased fuel economy. Is this a true statement?
What are the drawbacks to electric fans? and what would be the best fan / relay / sensor combination to purchase?
In general, is this a good idea?
___________________
1997 PSD 4x4
Crew Cab
Long Bed
Pillar Gauges (boost, tranny temp, EGT)
6 pos Chip
DIY 6637
What are the drawbacks to electric fans? and what would be the best fan / relay / sensor combination to purchase?
In general, is this a good idea?
___________________
1997 PSD 4x4
Crew Cab
Long Bed
Pillar Gauges (boost, tranny temp, EGT)
6 pos Chip
DIY 6637
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 1
From: Grass Valley, CA
I dont know about 20 hp, but maybe a few. It's said that electric is a bit more efficient.
BTW, this is a hot topic, so plenty will have something to say.
as for the best combo, just make sure you have enough CFM, and you should be good!
Welcome to FTE!
BTW, this is a hot topic, so plenty will have something to say.
as for the best combo, just make sure you have enough CFM, and you should be good!
Welcome to FTE!
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What CFM rating would be sufficient? I tow up to 9000, not a lot but enough to make a difference.
___________________
1997 PSD 4x4
Crew Cab
Long Bed
Pillar Gauges (boost, tranny temp, EGT)
6 pos Chip
DIY 6637
___________________
1997 PSD 4x4
Crew Cab
Long Bed
Pillar Gauges (boost, tranny temp, EGT)
6 pos Chip
DIY 6637
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1
From: Rogue River, OR
I think that the OEM fan puts out 5500CFM + Buy I could be wrong on that.
I was contemplating changing to elect fans but ran across some info that warned on a hot day pulling a grade with a trailer the electric fan just didn't cut it. Around town as a daily driver they work just fine.
Right now, in northern Calif. I don't even run a fan. As it gets warmer and I pull my 5th wheel the fan will have to go back on.
Rog
I was contemplating changing to elect fans but ran across some info that warned on a hot day pulling a grade with a trailer the electric fan just didn't cut it. Around town as a daily driver they work just fine.
Right now, in northern Calif. I don't even run a fan. As it gets warmer and I pull my 5th wheel the fan will have to go back on.
Rog
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Herndon KY
I am running electrics on my 97 and like it pretty good, but my fan clutch was bad so it made a big difference. I pulled the fan off of my 03 Excursion, drove it for a couple thousand miles to do a cost analysis to see if electrics were worth it, my figures showed that I would need to drive 40,000 miles to pay for a 500 dollar fan setup with fuel savings, so I put the factory one back on.
You can get away with a cost effective fan setup if you are driving a manual tranny with light loads, heavy loads and or an auto, IMHO you need a better settup.
My 97 cost me 80 bucks to put in electrics.
You can get away with a cost effective fan setup if you are driving a manual tranny with light loads, heavy loads and or an auto, IMHO you need a better settup.
My 97 cost me 80 bucks to put in electrics.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,207
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From: Kearney, Nebr
You would need to fab up a system that used to electric fans. Probably two 16" ones would do the trick. 16" Perma flex fans flow 2950 cfm of air, however, many agree that the electric fans are not as "strong."
The stocker does flow around 5500 cfm at like 3000 rpm and appears to be able to flow a heck of alot more air than electrics.
I've thought about this for months now. However, most people on here say to stick with the stocker if you do any towing.
The stocker does flow around 5500 cfm at like 3000 rpm and appears to be able to flow a heck of alot more air than electrics.
I've thought about this for months now. However, most people on here say to stick with the stocker if you do any towing.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: PNW
another thought, if your thinking about trying electric fans, is to get a water temp gauge so you know if your electric fans are cooling efficiently enough
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Rogue River, OR
I moded my shroud (Pix on TJ's photo section) so I can pull the top off by removing two (2) nuts and the overflow hose. I sure makes working on the fan or anything else that needs to be done to the front of the engine a walk in the park. The fan is now EZ on and EZ off.
As the temps around here start to climb I will also have to put my fan back on. So far everything has been cool
Rog
As the temps around here start to climb I will also have to put my fan back on. So far everything has been cool
Rog
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2007
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Here is the thread you are looking for. The best advice I can give is do you homework and find trusted information.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ctric-fan.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ctric-fan.html
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Nope no electric here (yet) my fan will be coming off again here soon! this thread reminded me of that. Only put mine back on for snowplowing. And I don't tow much so electrics are on my list (man that list is getting long!!)
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 294
Likes: 16
From: Kamloops, BC. Canada
I made up a DIY E-fan system from twin taurus fans some relays, temp probe and such....works great. The notion I had was to save wear and tear on the H2O pump bearings, eek out greater fuel mileage and easier starts (less mass) and it does all that. I live in the Pacific Northwest, BC Canada (interior) were it gets hot in the summer to 38 degrees C and still runs cool, in fact at idle in traffic the AC is cooler then stock....
HOWEVER.....if you tow in my opinion (OP....Towing 9000lbs) stick with stock setup, E-fans will not pull 5500-6000 CFM not even close....
I pull a 7000lbs TT and am always looking at the gauge.....so when I tow pull off the E-fans...
check my pix in truck folder for DIY E-fan if you like...
jrc
HOWEVER.....if you tow in my opinion (OP....Towing 9000lbs) stick with stock setup, E-fans will not pull 5500-6000 CFM not even close....
I pull a 7000lbs TT and am always looking at the gauge.....so when I tow pull off the E-fans...
check my pix in truck folder for DIY E-fan if you like...
jrc
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 708
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Here we go again
I made up a DIY E-fan system from twin taurus fans some relays, temp probe and such....works great. The notion I had was to save wear and tear on the H2O pump bearings, eek out greater fuel mileage and easier starts (less mass) and it does all that. I live in the Pacific Northwest, BC Canada (interior) were it gets hot in the summer to 38 degrees C and still runs cool, in fact at idle in traffic the AC is cooler then stock....
HOWEVER.....if you tow in my opinion (OP....Towing 9000lbs) stick with stock setup, E-fans will not pull 5500-6000 CFM not even close...
jrc
HOWEVER.....if you tow in my opinion (OP....Towing 9000lbs) stick with stock setup, E-fans will not pull 5500-6000 CFM not even close...
jrc
Flex-a-lite Electric Engine Cooling Fans
Turbo Flex® Electric Fans
AutoLoc ZFU16S - AutoLoc Zirgo Ultra High Performance Electric Fans - summitracing.com
That means that these companies are all lieing or fans can actually pull the air needed to cool our trucks, and if you are towing and at a cruising speed your fans dont do the cooling. Don't take me wrong. I am not trying to dog any one person just the notion everyone says electric wont cut it but no one has ever had a problem with them or stated some statistic on how or why they cant do the job.
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