Manual E-Fan Switch

smcl2002 · Sep 28, 2011

Hey guys! I've got a 69 that the PO setup with dual 10 inch e-fans in addition to the main fan run by the engine. The e-fans were set up using a temperature controlled wiring setup that has stopped working. Knowing nothing about wiring, should I go and buy a new wiring kit ~$50?...or should I just run a simple manual switch to the dash? Any write-ups on running wiring to the dash for a manual switch?

taylorB · Sep 28, 2011

Your local autoparts store should sell a relay, i picked one up from i believe it was autozone for 20 buks or so. and it was duel fan compatible. Works great and no switches.

taylorB · Sep 28, 2011

one more thing, the wiring was simple, just cut to length, crimp on connectors, and connect to power. the trickiest part was drilling the hole for the little raly box thingy ;D

ugly74 · Sep 28, 2011

why not just replace the faulty thermal switch? beats the hell out of constantly watching the gauge to see if it needs to be on (presuming the PO had it wired right to begin with). you could still keep a manual switch in the circuit, in case of waster crossings or whatever

smcl2002 · Sep 29, 2011

Thanks guys for your ideas! Living in AZ, they'll almost always need to be on, so it's not that big of a deal for me to flip a switch on whenever I've had it running for 3 minutes...haha...gotta love the desert. Any ideas on my toggle switch location? Should I just drill a hole in my dash? I'd probably just do that down by the instrument cluster area i would guess...

RustyShackelfor · Sep 29, 2011

just as much work for a switch since you will have to do relays anyways

70_Steve · Sep 29, 2011

smcl2002 said:
Thanks guys for your ideas! Living in AZ, they'll almost always need to be on, so it's not that big of a deal for me to flip a switch on whenever I've had it running for 3 minutes...haha...gotta love the desert. Any ideas on my toggle switch location? Should I just drill a hole in my dash? I'd probably just do that down by the instrument cluster area i would guess...

I live in the desert too, only use the stock mechanical fan, and I've never overheated, even when wheeling at 115°.

My suggestion is to make a bracket to mount the switch below the dash. I suspect eventually you'll want to remove the electric fans.

smcl2002 · Sep 29, 2011

Thanks! I might break down and attempt to replace the whole relay again. Checker/o'reilly's got the whole set-up for $35...so I might try my hand at it. I am just terrible at anything electrical! I agree though, if I can't get them working, I may just take them off. Without them working right now, they're acting like a big cover on the front of the radiator, restricting airflow. Thanks for all of your advice guys!

Broncorex · Sep 29, 2011

If you have the alternator for it, I would put it on a rocker switch with an integrated circuit breaker (they can simply be reset) and leave it on all the time. You can find these switches at a marine store and they hold up very well since they are designed for boat applications. I have a Flex a Lite Black Magic 15" puller behind my Griffin aluminum radiator (10 years old) and I don't have issues here in Florida.

taylorB · Sep 29, 2011

smcl2002 said:
Thanks! I might break down and attempt to replace the whole relay again.

Good choice! it will for sure be worth it. I wired mine up so where even if the rig is shut off the fans will keep blowing until the rad temp is down. PM me if you want any details or question on the wiring.

Broncorex · Sep 29, 2011

taylorB said:
Good choice! it will for sure be worth it. I wired mine up so where even if the rig is shut off the fans will keep blowing until the rad temp is down. PM me if you want any details or question on the wiring.

Yeah, but the water pump isn't moving any water so at the most you are only cooling the water in the radiator. I just don't want to trust a stat so I removed mine. One less thing that could go wrong.

RustyShackelfor · Sep 29, 2011

you need the thermostat to get up to proper operating temps

BRONCO_POWER · Sep 29, 2011

I have a manual switch on the dash of my bronco and I just turn it on when I start it. Living in Arizona its almost a must to have the fans going at all times.

Steve83 · Sep 29, 2011

The t'stat also creates a restriction that helps reduce boiling in the engine by slightly increasing the pressure above what the cap holds.

This shows a simple circuit to control an e-fan, and there's a link in the caption to a slightly more complex (and versatile) one:

taylorB · Sep 29, 2011

Steve83 said:
The t'stat also creates a restriction that helps reduce boiling in the engine by slightly increasing the pressure above what the cap holds.

This shows a simple circuit to control an e-fan, and there's a link in the caption to a slightly more complex (and versatile) one:

EEK that look confusing hahahaha. Why wouldnt you run power from the back of the ignition switch?? And it looks like for AZ yall like the manual switch, so you would just forget the thermostat and run constant power while the key is on. or keep a manual switch for the water crossings and such but even then you wouldnt need the thermostat. You could get this thing done for free!

Broncorex · Sep 29, 2011

RustyShackelfor said:
you need the thermostat to get up to proper operating temps

I'm referring to the removal of the stat for the electric fan, not for the water pump.

RustyShackelfor · Sep 29, 2011

you have to run through relays because a fan pulls too much juice

Broncorex · Sep 29, 2011

Not talking about removing the relay either!!!

motoman · Sep 30, 2011

I too run dual 10" electric fans..... both fans are wired through a "Ford Constant Duty Solenoid (Relay)". The switch is mounted under the steering wheel on a fabbed switch panel. I do not have mine wired through thermostat.

It is great to force cooling whenever I need it... especially in AZ. Let me know if you need help and I can come over and help you wire something up! Or fix your existing wire....

Manual E-Fan Switch

smcl2002

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taylorB

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taylorB

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ugly74

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smcl2002

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RustyShackelfor

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70_Steve

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smcl2002

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Broncorex

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taylorB

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Broncorex

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RustyShackelfor

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BRONCO_POWER

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Steve83

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taylorB

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Broncorex

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motoman

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