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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 21, 2016 18:54:39 GMT -5
DANG! My spare Spal controller died yesterday or this morning so I need to replace it with a something that's still in production. The Spal is a 'pulse width modulator' (PWM) controller. That means it will run a fan at variable speed, from 50% to 100% depending on ECT. It will support two fans up to 30A per fan, with the primary in PWM mode. Its programmable for separate primary on and secondary on. My setup requires at least this level of functionality. And it needs to work with the brushed OEM Ford Contour fans. I need feedback from people already running electric fans, suggestions, links, whatever. I've got about three weeks before we leave for UT for two weeks and while I can run here in town on just the secondary fan without actually overheating, it is running a little on the warm side. Definitely can't run like this out to UT and back like this.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! This wasn't anything I was planing to have to deal with on such short notice. Edward |
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Post by loner6996 on Jul 21, 2016 19:36:05 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother with the ones autozone sells if you are using a high amp fan. Been there done that melted two using a Ford thunderbird electric fan on a f150.
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Post by bdmontero on Jul 21, 2016 20:30:40 GMT -5
Try the F5 painless from summit!!!!! AMAZING!!!!! that's what I have!
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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 23, 2016 17:18:42 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother with the ones autozone sells if you are using a high amp fan. Been there done that melted two using a Ford thunderbird electric fan on a f150. Thanks loner. Yea, the Motorcraft fans pull just a hair under 30A each. Edward |
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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 23, 2016 17:22:00 GMT -5
Try the F5 painless from summit!!!!! AMAZING!!!!! that's what I have! Thanks bd!! How do you have yours adjusted? Edward |
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Post by bdmontero on Jul 23, 2016 17:39:48 GMT -5
It unfortunately has the adjustable pots which are really delicate but they are handy to adjust. I think they are pretty reliable. I've had the F5 on for a year so far and its been literally problem free. It fires up exactly when it says it does and I even installed the probe right by the ECTS.  |
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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 24, 2016 17:32:13 GMT -5
It unfortunately has the adjustable pots which are really delicate but they are handy to adjust. I think they are pretty reliable. I've had the F5 on for a year so far and its been literally problem free. It fires up exactly when it says it does and I even installed the probe right by the ECTS..... Not too worried about pots - not the first time I've touched on. What are your set points? Not too happy it's not watertight. Nice that it doesn't use a cheap push in fin probe. I WISH someone did a controller that ran one fan and then the other instead of both at once. I don't need more than 3/4 of one fan 90% of the time.  I started looking at DC Control FK-75 again. DC Control It can be requested with a screw in sender and a splitter for dual fans and it's watertight. I just don't know how long it would take to get one. And I can't figure out what the full on point is. Edward |
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Post by bdmontero on Jul 24, 2016 17:41:23 GMT -5
I think they're at 190 and then full on like 210-220. Id have to double check.
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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 24, 2016 19:59:44 GMT -5
I think they're at 190 and then full on like 210-220. Id have to double check. Thanks! Ok, so pretty dang close to mine. I was thinking that's about where I'd start but they want the probe on the inlet side of the engine so I wasn't sure how much different the settings would be. I sent an email off to DC Control to see what the delivery time would be and whether I can use my existing temp probe. I looked at the Derale, too. Opinion? Edward |
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Post by bdmontero on Jul 24, 2016 20:15:21 GMT -5
The derale to me I've heard had some really bad problems with failure after a very short time. That's why I went with the F5. They say its not water tight but the box like you stated could easily be installed in cab. I simply love the setup. The instructions were professional and installation was a breeze.
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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 25, 2016 16:25:25 GMT -5
The derale to me I've heard had some really bad problems with failure after a very short time. That's why I went with the F5. They say its not water tight but the box like you stated could easily be installed in cab. I simply love the setup. The instructions were professional and installation was a breeze. Ok. So, I talked to the Derale tech support regarding their 16795 controller. According to tech support, the controller is rated at a max of 70A. I don't know if this is continuous or start-up. The kit comes with a 50A circuit breaker and 10 AWG wire. In order to run a fan(s) that draws between 50-70A, the circuit breaker needs to be replaced with a higher rated breaker (or fuse) and the wiring needs to be replaced with 8 AWG wire. Obviously, the breaker (fuse) can not exceed 70A if the controller is rated at a max of 70A. According to the tech, the Ford Contour fans will run on the packaged parts. MY OPINION: The tech support guy was kind of an ***. Nothing I didn't expect from what I've read. The information I got sounds suspect. His telling me there's no such thing as a 70A fan and that the Contour OEM motors don't pull what I know they do doesn't help. This 'MAXIMUM CAPACITY: 65A' with a packaged 50A breaker but it'll 'really do 70A' sounds a lot like the BS they wrap around their fans. There is a considerable difference in amperage between continuous run and cold start and as usual there's no information on how the controller really works so .... Maybe it'll work and maybe it'll all be wired up and the first time the fans kick on they'll throw the circuit breaker. --- I like the F5 but I don't like that I have to wire in two switches whether I want them or not - which I don't. I don't like the lack of waterproofing - I really don't know what I'll run into in UT and I have no idea where to locate the controller that doesn't see a significant amount of splash on or off road. But what I really don't like is its heat sensitivity. That worries me heading out to UT. Unless the temps drop significantly, it's looking to be 100-105F. I don't know and I'm not sure I want to know what the bay gets to crawling in those airflow starved slot canyons. There is absolutely nowhere in the engine bay that I can think of where I can guarantee it won't hit their 250whatever degree limit. I'm still thinking the final solution will be DCControl boxes but that looks to be 2-3 months out. I'd like a solution that is easily convertible from a temporary solution to the final one. Which is one of the only reasons I'm even looking at Derale. Whatever, this is going to be a flaming PITA and its a one-way trip. Once I yank the Spal out, and rewire for the F5, Derale or DCControl, I won't be going back. If the F5 proves unreliable, it'll be a major rewire (again) to convert to one of the other two and it won't be easily done on the trail. Whether the F5 or Derale, I'll have to order two to have a spare when we're out in UT. Sigh. I'm not bashing on the F5. In fact, the more I look at it, the more I think that one of those is going in my 'Bird. Along with real fans to replace the POS Derale one in there now. Feedback, ideas, thoughts? BTW, how does the harness (wires) attach to the F5? Edward |
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Post by bdmontero on Jul 25, 2016 16:45:52 GMT -5
Its a sealed unit that hooks into it with a factory plug. I'll take a picture of it tonight. I'm pretty dang happy with it . if it was in the cab it would be heat and water safe for sure
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Post by ES_97Sport on Jul 25, 2016 16:54:58 GMT -5
Its a sealed unit that hooks into it with a factory plug. I'll take a picture of it tonight. I'm pretty dang happy with it . if it was in the cab it would be heat and water safe for sure Thanks BD! You run the F5 30142, right? Or the metric equivalent, I think you mentioned somewhere. It looks like a good unit so I can understand. I'm just not sure it'll work for me. Yea, I thought of that. That means running three 8 AWG wires though the FW for runs that long and I have no idea where I'd mount it. Edward |
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Post by bdmontero on Jul 25, 2016 17:30:02 GMT -5
Its got some pretty long wiring loom. Yes I thinks that's right it was the for the dual fans. The installation could be done in under an hour easily. I love the toggle switch because you can have it turn off all the way manually, turn off at highway speeds and have it turn off at a certain temp.
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Post by jkdv8 on Jul 25, 2016 21:55:05 GMT -5
You guys should look into these. It would require replacing the fans to but would be waaaaaaay more efficient. Not a bad price for brushless. Don't know what size those contour fans are. The controller runs two fans to, all digital. Probe or threaded temp sensor. Just run the power lead off a relay from a dash switch although the controller looks as if it mounts inside the vehicle. Word is the 16" fan pulls 9 amps at 2800cfm. link |
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