Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Jrama on June 20, 2014, 01:51:16 PM

Title: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Jrama on June 20, 2014, 01:51:16 PM
I have gone through 3 Taurus fans, as soon as they get muddy its begins a slow and intermittent death of the fan. Get them Muddy again its game over...

I like the electric fans as they are easier on the motor and can be switched off etc etc Anyone have advice on mud-proofing?

Otherwise its back to a mechanical fan
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: GreenBstrd on June 20, 2014, 02:51:52 PM
Have you tried coating the fan motor, and any open connections with dielectric grease? That's what I did with mine, and I haven't had any problems yet. Sunday will be the real test though.
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: apeman on June 20, 2014, 06:49:46 PM
I ran a 97+ zj fan on a switch for years, without problems. They're easy to come across , 4 bolt install and a simple plug n play. Taurus fans burn up easy and aren't meant to get grimy and wet.
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Jrama on June 20, 2014, 08:59:28 PM
But does it fit a TJ?
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: tubby on June 20, 2014, 10:54:32 PM

Jamal, I ran a Taurus fan twice in 2 different off-road vehicles and managed to keep them alive . I found that mud would pack onto them and dry-up causing an imbalance whenever I used them , thus shortening their lifespan. I went to a hardware store and put that mesh screen that is used on doors in front of the fans. It really helped keep big clods of mud from adhering to them. Give it a shot should you run an electric fan again.

HTH
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: JackstandJohnny on June 21, 2014, 12:35:59 AM
JAmal I have a fan kicking Around d if you want a spare
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Jrama on June 21, 2014, 04:23:27 PM
Ended up installing a mechanical fan
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: pooljunky on June 21, 2014, 06:09:37 PM
Hey jack.. I'd take that off of you
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: cLAY on June 24, 2014, 08:35:39 AM
I ran a 97+ zj fan on a switch for years, without problems. They're easy to come across , 4 bolt install and a simple plug n play. Taurus fans burn up easy and aren't meant to get grimy and wet.

Are you sure about this? The only ZJ I know of that came with an electric fan is the 1998 with the 5.9L package and those are pretty rare.

Did you mean '99 and up WJs?
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: cLAY on June 24, 2014, 08:42:50 AM
I've been running a Taurus fan for a few years now. Its problematic at best.  The first couple I got from the wrecker went bad quickly and took some wiring with it. Then my alt died and while you can usually drive quite  ahile just on the batteries the fan sucked the batteries down pretty fast, yes I said batteries(plural). They have a huge draw so the wiring and relay has to be HD. A simple 30 amp bosch relay isn't going to cut it.  Now my controller is acting up and probably needs replacing. Also the engine overheats when running hilly terrain in hot waether at high speeds(80km/h+).

Upside is engine stays nice and cool when putting along in 4low with RPMs low.

I don't think I'd do it again. I've never been in water deep enough to need to turn it off and I think I'd get better cooling from a better rad with the mechanical fan.

Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: JohnB on June 24, 2014, 10:15:27 AM
Really.  I've had the same Taurus fan for 10 years without a problem.  Water and mud over the hood every time I'm out.  You should turn the fan off before a crossing.  What are you using to control it?  Is it behind the rad or in front?
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Dingleberry on June 24, 2014, 11:04:18 AM
I had my taurus fan quit on me, going to replace it with another taurus fan. This time however, I will be coating the replacement fan with NeverWet from Home Depot. That stuff is miraculous! I used it on my rad one time and it kept all the fins free of clogging up with mud for an entire weekend in fisher east, and then some. Great stuff, use it on the alternator and distributor cap too!

Also, I use a bosch 30 amp relay for the fan, haven't had a problem with that. Its just the mud that killed the fan.
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: dubbleJs on June 24, 2014, 05:24:15 PM
I attempted to fit a Taurus fan but with my alternator up top  the belt was in the way of the fan motor and I gave up. Instead I installed two 97+ XJ fans on switches and have not had any issues. It runs below 100. I ditched the a/c condenser that was blocking flow in front of the rad, keep the rad clean and always have the fans running (except for water crossings, but I usually forget to turn them off anyways  :P )
Title: Re: Re: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: BUKI on June 24, 2014, 08:44:50 PM
I had my taurus fan quit on me, going to replace it with another taurus fan. This time however, I will be coating the replacement fan with NeverWet from Home Depot. That stuff is miraculous! I used it on my rad one time and it kept all the fins free of clogging up with mud for an entire weekend in fisher east, and then some. Great stuff, use it on the alternator and distributor cap too!

Also, I use a bosch 30 amp relay for the fan, haven't had a problem with that. Its just the mud that killed the fan.
that's a great idea

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: hps4evr on June 24, 2014, 09:18:43 PM
Flex-a-lite... Not cheap but works very well... There are a lot of generic electric fans out there too. Spal, Be Cool, flowkooler... Google their websites and find a fan with high CFM's.
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Dingleberry on June 25, 2014, 11:51:30 AM
I attempted to fit a Taurus fan but with my alternator up top  the belt was in the way of the fan motor and I gave up. Instead I installed two 97+ XJ fans on switches and have not had any issues. It runs below 100. I ditched the a/c condenser that was blocking flow in front of the rad, keep the rad clean and always have the fans running (except for water crossings, but I usually forget to turn them off anyways  :P )

The trick there is to move your rad forward about an inch and a half ;)
It requires cutting a small amount off the metal support-beam thing across the top to make room for the rad cap.
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Jrama on June 25, 2014, 12:53:56 PM
I think the Real trick for a TJ is to stick with mechanical...thank god for an iron block and an iron head. Stoopid Taurus fan ran my jeep to boil over more time then I can remember....on the trail....on the road..you name it particularly when you didn't expect it.

I'm not going to drop hundreds of dollars on a fancy fan .... not enough benefit...Taurus fan was good because the whole thing could be done for just over 100 bucks
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Dingleberry on June 25, 2014, 02:44:02 PM
Jamal it can be done for much less!
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Jrama on June 25, 2014, 04:12:32 PM
Well there you go...I payed too much for my pain in the arse
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Vinman on June 25, 2014, 05:28:04 PM
Mechanical fan, way more reliable than any electric junk.
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: specialk on June 25, 2014, 08:34:40 PM
Mechanical vs electric...  Mechanical always wins.  ::)
Title: Re: Anyone Run an Electric Fan successfully?
Post by: Bnine on July 17, 2014, 12:48:43 PM
Mechanical vs electric...  Mechanical always wins.  ::)

x 2, the man speaks the truth