?for Mike T
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From: Orange Park, FL, USA
?for Mike T
Mike,
This is not a chip question but.... I have dual electric fans. With my AC on the fans are running all the time. My digital temp gauge says my temp never gets above 170 degrees. My question is: Could I disconnect the AC compressor switch to the fans and let it only come on based on temp and if so what temp should it be? Would this negatively affect my AC or engine? Does running too cool affect the performance of the engine? Thanks, you are the best source to trust I know of.
WarEagle
This is not a chip question but.... I have dual electric fans. With my AC on the fans are running all the time. My digital temp gauge says my temp never gets above 170 degrees. My question is: Could I disconnect the AC compressor switch to the fans and let it only come on based on temp and if so what temp should it be? Would this negatively affect my AC or engine? Does running too cool affect the performance of the engine? Thanks, you are the best source to trust I know of.
WarEagle
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hi War Eagle,
Good to see you again!
We set up the electric fan kits with a relay so they have the ability to come on when the A/C compressor is activated in addition to the normal thermostatic control.
How you set it depends on your thermostat to a certain extent.......... usually a good way to set them up with the stock thermostat is to come on at 200 degrees, and to shut off at 185, 15 degrees cooler. You want the coolant to get hotter than 170 degrees, I agree, that is too cool for best power and fuel mileage. The optimal coolant temperature is about 200 degrees, which is why the factory thermostat in the late-models is 192-194 degrees.
Turn the fans on about 7-10 degrees higher than the thermostat opens at, and turn them back off once the coolant temp is about 15-18 degrees cooler than that, works pretty well, so you can set it by your thermostat opening temperature for proper fan operation. A stock thermostat would be 200 on, 185 off, for example, as cited above.
It's also a good idea to have a relay so the fan will turn on anytime the A/C is runninng as well, even if the coolant temp is below threshold, for quickest cabin cooling in the Summer, especially before the engine is warmed up. This is strictly up to you and is not a requirement, it's just a nice added touch, and how most factory electric fan setups are generally configured.
EDITED TO ADD: I re-read your post, and wanted to add this, as you needed a better (or more thorough) response than I originally gave. The reason to have the electric fan come on with A/C activation is to ensure sufficient cabin cooling in hotter weather when you're driving at speeds below about 25-35 mph or so, when there isn't enough airflow to the front of the vehicle from roadspeed alone. Living in any of the southern states, or out in many of the western areas, especially it's pretty much a necessity as you need all the cabin A/C capacity you can get. Other milder climates & conditions can drop the A/C relay tie-in and just use straight thermostatic control.
If your coolent temperature *never* gets above 170 degrees under any circumstances when the A/C is on, then sure, I'd give serious thought to disconnecting the A/C relay and go straight thermostatic control for fan turn on so you can get the coolant temps up to where they should be for best power & mileage.
Sorry I didn't give you a more precise answer before, call it dain brammage.
Good luck!
Good to see you again!
We set up the electric fan kits with a relay so they have the ability to come on when the A/C compressor is activated in addition to the normal thermostatic control.
How you set it depends on your thermostat to a certain extent.......... usually a good way to set them up with the stock thermostat is to come on at 200 degrees, and to shut off at 185, 15 degrees cooler. You want the coolant to get hotter than 170 degrees, I agree, that is too cool for best power and fuel mileage. The optimal coolant temperature is about 200 degrees, which is why the factory thermostat in the late-models is 192-194 degrees.
Turn the fans on about 7-10 degrees higher than the thermostat opens at, and turn them back off once the coolant temp is about 15-18 degrees cooler than that, works pretty well, so you can set it by your thermostat opening temperature for proper fan operation. A stock thermostat would be 200 on, 185 off, for example, as cited above.
It's also a good idea to have a relay so the fan will turn on anytime the A/C is runninng as well, even if the coolant temp is below threshold, for quickest cabin cooling in the Summer, especially before the engine is warmed up. This is strictly up to you and is not a requirement, it's just a nice added touch, and how most factory electric fan setups are generally configured.
EDITED TO ADD: I re-read your post, and wanted to add this, as you needed a better (or more thorough) response than I originally gave. The reason to have the electric fan come on with A/C activation is to ensure sufficient cabin cooling in hotter weather when you're driving at speeds below about 25-35 mph or so, when there isn't enough airflow to the front of the vehicle from roadspeed alone. Living in any of the southern states, or out in many of the western areas, especially it's pretty much a necessity as you need all the cabin A/C capacity you can get. Other milder climates & conditions can drop the A/C relay tie-in and just use straight thermostatic control.
If your coolent temperature *never* gets above 170 degrees under any circumstances when the A/C is on, then sure, I'd give serious thought to disconnecting the A/C relay and go straight thermostatic control for fan turn on so you can get the coolant temps up to where they should be for best power & mileage.
Sorry I didn't give you a more precise answer before, call it dain brammage.
Good luck!
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Apr 27, 2002 at 11:24 PM.