Electric Fan- Decided on Chev HHR

[Dono]

Yup, another Electric Fan conversion thread.


I decided on a Chev HHR fan for my 2000 Explorer 4.0 OHV

Have the fan coming ($80.00).
Why I chose this fan is that it has the largest fan shroud, and the price is right.

Has anyone installed one of these fans?

I'm in need of a fan controller now. Whats the current draw on the fan? Is this fan a 3 wire (low,high)? I think I'm better off not going with straight relays, although with a low/high setup this isnt out of the question. Cost is a factor.

I do like the idea of the fan not automatically going High when the air conditioning is turned on when you are at highway speeds. I think the painless controller does this, but is expensive.

This should be a fun project.

 

[2TimingTom]

sub.

 

[Maniak]

When we installed the fan on my Friends pickup (Mark VIII, single speed), we added a cutout switch for the a/c. That way when he is on the freeway he flips a switch and the fan won't turn on because the a/c is turned on. It will still turn on based on the temperature of the motor. If he forgets to flip the switch back, all that happens is the a/c gets warm.

He is using a Dakota PAC-2000 which is a very fancy on/off type controller. It has a delay start so it doesn't start the fan while your starting the truck. It also has a delay off. We have it set so if he turns off his truck while the fan is running the fan keeps running for 30 seconds before it turns off.

~Mark

 

[Dono]

Note taken on the cut-out switch. Could happen. For a hundred bucks difference on controllers, I could live with the switch.

I plugged in my odbc reader today, and my thermostat opens at around 80 to 85 degrees Celcius. I'll convert that later when it's more important in the stage of conversion.

I'm leaning towards the spal controller. It has soft starts, and sounds reliable from the posts.

More to come. I hope to have the fan on Monday, then at least I'll know if I need a two speed controller (Cheap), or a variable soft start single speed controller.

 

[jd4242]

This fan may not cool enough for the sohc

 

[Maniak]

It can keep a 460 Ford cool as there are people on 460ford.com running it. Granted, cooling system sizes are going to be different.. I'm just saying its still moving lots of air..

~Mark

 

[jd4242]

My thread
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258507
and one on the sohc
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2442062#post2442062

 

[jd4242]

All i know is the one on the sohc was removed because it didnt cool enough, or low enough temps for his liking. I love mine but in the desert or 100*+ temps and in 4x4 it wouldnt cool enough.

 

[Maniak]

Ditto here.. I just know its keeping that one 460 big block cool in that ranger, but thats the only one I know of..

I'm not sold on running electric fans off the engine temp, or upper radiator temp.

My thinking is to run it off the output temp of the water coming out of the radiator since that is what the Fan is cooling. That way the thermostat can keep the motor as warm as it wants to and you don't have to bring up the fan turn on temps so high to keep it off when your on the freeway.

~Mark

 

[Ronin8002]

Definitely post up how you like it. I had the same one for a while with the Spal controller. Min temp I usually was running was about 198 which was fine. The problem came in the summer with running the A/C and traffic I started seeing temps of 210-212. I guess that's not too bad but higher than I wanted to be so I took it off.

I was also running underdrive pullies with it so I am sure that was a factor. With the stock pullies it probably would have been OK.

Yup, another Electric Fan conversion thread.


I decided on a Chev HHR fan for my 2000 Explorer 4.0 OHV

Have the fan coming ($80.00).
Why I chose this fan is that it has the largest fan shroud, and the price is right.

Has anyone installed one of these fans?

I'm in need of a fan controller now. Whats the current draw on the fan? Is this fan a 3 wire (low,high)? I think I'm better off not going with straight relays, although with a low/high setup this isnt out of the question. Cost is a factor.

I do like the idea of the fan not automatically going High when the air conditioning is turned on when you are at highway speeds. I think the painless controller does this, but is expensive.

This should be a fun project.

 

[Dono]

Awesome info! JD4242, I didn't see your post before on the HHR fan install. Thanks for the link!

What I am getting is this....Make sure the fan shroud is tight against the radiator. This might be the difference between sucess and failure.
Now, the 4 wheeling I do is in winter, so Im not too worried about overheating from engine load. Stop and go traffic in the summer might be an issue with the air on.

I'll be spending a ton of time on the shroud making sure it fits perfectly. I'm still stuck on the painless controller with speed sensor. That sounds awesome. Just not sure if I can open my wallet enough for it.

 

[jd4242]

this is the one i run now and seems to be working fine
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-16779/

 

[Dono]

Im still struggling with the fan controller. It sounds like the Painless 30141 would be the way to go, but I'm struggling with the price. From my reading, it sounds like it would ensure trouble free performance.

The SPAL unit is out for me as I think the HHR fan's current draw is on the edge of causing it issues.
The DC Controls unit might me ok, but I'm concerned about support. There is such mixed reviews in it here.
The Derale unit jd4242 is using is a definite option. Sounds like he has had great sucess with it. Some here have not though.

Pro's on the painless controller are that it has great support, works well with higher amperage fans, and has the speed sensor. BIG con is price.

The install would be more difficult with the painless controller though. I'd have to find the wire for the speed sensor under the hood, and figure out where to install the temperature sensor. I wonder if the factory temperature sensor in the lower intake manifold would work? (Like the SPAL).

Some guys here say for what you get (Less misery) the painless unit is the way to go. Ugh.........decisions, decisions.

 

[jd4242]

The unit i use is a brand new unit to them.i have burt up MANY units before this model. I have not used the dc or spal.many people report they only last a year or two and i couldnt bring myself to spend that much!!

 

[Dono]

I found a canadian dealer for the Painless 30141 unit. $229.99 + GST. Going to take 6 to 8 weeks, but better price, and no shipping. Pretty big savings.

http://www.jbspowercentre.com/
The controller is not listed on their web site, but they returned my email inquiry instantly.

 

[Dono]

I was at the junk yard yesterday, and found the connector for the HHR fan, and a fan couling for my truck ($5.00).

Since my trucks in pieces, and my new cam hasn't shown up I figured I'd start pushing my fan project forward.

Im going to fit the HHR fan to the stock cowling from the junk yard. This way, it would take no time at all to switch from electric fan to clutch fan if things shold go bad for any reason. When I set the fan in to the cowling, I do have some cutting of the hhr shroud. Also, there is still space that needs to be filled when the hhr fan is dropped in to the stock shroud. I see we have some black lawn edging that will do the trick.

I'll be using some form of silicone sealant to seal every joint to make sure air cant get thru any joint.

 

[jd4242]

The hhr fits right on the radiator and can be taken off in mins.you wouldnt even need to mod the stock shroud, just keep it in the garge in case you need to put it back on.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

Hey Dono,

I've used both the DC controls and painless controllers, and they are both great units. My personal favorite is the DC unit and I've never had an issue with the unit or Brian. As a matter of fact the one issue I did have I believe was my fault and Brian covered it. But I understand some people have had some issues so it's all just personal preference any way. The painless unit is also a great controller. I broke down and got it because of all the good things I had heard about them on all the forums. I was already using the DC unit and I guess I got spoiled with the soft start. The painless unit starts at 50% and ramps up from there which isn't a problem but I just didn't like it. So there's my 2 cents, they're both great, let us know how you make out.

 

[Dono]

Im moding the hhr fan to fit as I want the fan to suck from the whole radiator, not just some. Do I need to? Who knows?? I already cut the hhr fan shroud, so there's no turning back now.

Also, I have the painless controller on order. Albi1cnobi1, did you use the speed sensor on the painless controller? If so, which wire did you attach to? Also, where did you mount the painless temp sending unit? Were you able to tap in to the factory sensor on the intake manifold?

 

[albi1cnobi1]

I was told by a couple of seasoned vets on here when I was doing mine that you shouldn't cover the whole radiator. I have maybe 4" on either side not covered by the e-fan shroud and my temp is spot on, never even close to over heating. For the coolant sensor I installed a temp sensor adapter in the lower radiator hose. Got it from JEGS. I tapped into the speed sensor wire where it goes into the ABS unit in the engine bay. If my memory serves me it is pin 21 on the ABS connector. The wire is red/pink on my 99.