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electric fan conversion

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Old 08-29-2007, 07:18 AM
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Default electric fan conversion

Has anyone done an electric fan conversion? My A/C wasn't working right, so I took it to a shop and they looked the system over for leaks (they put uv dye in last time the R143a was filled), but couldn't find anything. The mechanic told me the fan was turning slow and causing the compressor to cut in and out to keep from building too much pressure and he thinks the fan clutch is shot. I've been looking at electric conversions, but one I found was over $500. Hayden makes an electric fan I found at O'Reilly Auto Parts for $65. I'd probably need two of them to pull enough air through that wide grill, but that's still only $130. Even if it doesn't come with mounting hardware (but I think it does), I could build some sort of frame to hold the fans and still only have $150 in the thing. Also, I've heard that electric conversions unleash about 5-10% more power and fuel economy. Anybody know if that's true?

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Old 08-29-2007, 08:03 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

a goodplace to put an electric fan would be between the radiator and intercooler. . .theres an area there you can slip some of those thin profile fans in. . .however the best is to actualy mount them to the condensor itself.
 
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Old 08-29-2007, 08:09 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

I would use the flex-a-lite units. They are a little much, but they move a lot of air. I put one on my chevy when I replaced the motor with a 383 and it works great. It gets tied into your ac system and will change the speed of the fans. They really are nice units and worth the money. The other nice feature is that if your truck is not up to temp, the fans will not turn on. Helps your truck heat up faster in the winter.
 
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Old 08-29-2007, 08:21 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

Ive got one of the low profile flex-a-lite units on my toyota. . .and I will agree they do work very well. . .my A/C is actualy cooler with the electric fans than it was with the engine mounted fan.
 
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Old 08-29-2007, 11:27 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

On one of the other forums several guys put dual efans on their duramax's and they overheated under load... I wouldnt do it. what I'd do however is add an aux fan in the front, something that is on my list of things to do. problem is there is very limited space up there and from what I could tell, the biggest fan you could get in there would be 10" assuming a 2"~3" thick fan @ the motor. there just isnt enough room at the front of the stack.
 
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:20 PM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

the flex-a-lite fans are suposed to move 5,500 CFM of air
 
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:30 PM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

ORIGINAL: BLACK CLOUD

the flex-a-lite fans are suposed to move 5,500 CFM of air
yeah, and they overheated... same fans... You might check into the cooling capacity of the duramax engine to compare by before plunking down the bux for a set of fans..
 
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Old 08-30-2007, 12:41 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

This has been explored before and was determined that if you want elect fans you should just run as aux fans. The logic is there and other forums (not sure off hand which) has the proof.
 
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Old 08-30-2007, 09:27 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

My step father added a set of electric fans to his 12v cummins, his overheated while he was plowing snow. He used the cheapies from pep boys. I agree, that you should do a little more research before you jump into something.
 
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Old 09-02-2007, 12:33 AM
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Default RE: electric fan conversion

I went to O'Reilly today and looked at the 12" unit. The guy at the store said a lot of guys bought 2 12's for conversions, but they were probably gassers he was talking about. I measured my radiator and I'm pretty sure the larger 14" and 16" units will also fit. They are only about 2-3 inches thick. Two 16's would cover more area of the radiator than the standard fan. My maximum weight is about 13000#, but usually between empty and 9000# gross combined weight. Thanks for the info so far, guys.
 


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