Atermarket fans

[s2driveruk]

Right, I'm going to replace my failing 3b fan with a working version whilst i investigate my options here.

I'm sure technology in coolng has moved on since 1992 Ideally I'd like to save space, weight and power draw and get a new unit in there which will happily cope with track work too.

So, any BTDT's? Also how would it wire in? currently the 3b fan has 3 connections but i think aftermarket units only have 2?

Any info/advice welcome

David

[Acidburn]

Whats the dimensions of the back of the fan if you've got your whole unit off the rad atm?

[SteveH]

David, What about something like this - http://www.pacet.co.uk/profan.htm

IIRC Mark Has has one on his motor.

[s2driveruk]

yeah thats the kind of thing I'm looking for Steve (long time no speak mate btw....) do you need to keep the rear shroud or?

[johne]

Actually, I don't believe cooling technology has moved on that significantly, it's governed by the Laws of Physics.

It is possible to get powerful, flatter, motors with rare earth magnets but to shift a certain number of cubic metres of air per minute you need a certain horsepower from the fan motor and that means a heavy current draw. Bottom line is that the OE motors are pretty efficient. Any real improvement, if any is possible, will be in the fan blade, not the fan motor.

If you need better cooling for track days you need a better radiator(s) not a better fan motor.

On the 3b fans the third connector is used to give the motor it's slow speed.

John

[Acidburn]

I think what me and david was looking for was a smaller/flatter fan to give more space in the 3b engine bay without removing the battery tray

[dest]

http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/

Kenlowe have always been rated highly

[Mark Halligan]

http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/

Kenlowe have always been rated highly

I have one of these, they are a bitch to fit though if you don't want to use those weird cable tie type fixings that they are supplied with that go through the rad core.

The only advantage over the OEM is a weight saving and slimmer profile. But my old OEM fan was much more powerful and effective than the kenlowe IMO.

You can get a feel for the size of it in this pic



Mark

[Albert]

I just put RS2 fan. Flows like hurricane.

[s2driveruk]

Thanks Mark, thats a great shot of that engine bay but yeah the profile of that Fan is spot on. However if it isn't as efficient then are you seeing much higher temps? Given that the oem fan is sat well under that abs pump/batter tray any better access is a plus

[Mark Halligan]

David

It does the job, I find that it just has to stay on longer, especially when stationary in traffic.

The old fan on full speed was as Albert says like a hurricane, but a lot bigger. Its all a trade off between space and efficiency really.

[Albert]

I had a problem with water temp when using other fans, stock s2 or after market slim fans. Of course Marks fan is very good, but for me the easiest way was getting RS2 one as it was available to me relay fast (my friend sold it to me). Now the temp is still at 80 C.

One thing you have to be aware of is a problem with power consumption. I had to change the wires and use bigger fuse to keep up with the 500W fan.

[s2avant]

I've still not fitted the permacool fan I bought last year for my Avant. I investigated all the options and the permacool fans have much better flow rates for a given fan size/current draw/price than anything else. I will be wiring it into the existing fan wiring to allow multiple speeds.

I'm buying another one to replace the viscous fan on the Range Rover as having done a similar comparison on the options available again the permacool comes out way in front. Unfortunately the 16" one I need has funky metal blades which I'm told will be very noisy when it's on. Having said that it's a V8 so being quiet is not high on the priority list.

IMHO Kenlowe fans are very expensive given their mediocre performance. For the Range Rover the kenlowe kit is around £250 wheras a much better permacool fan can be had for around £100 including shipping/import duty.

Ben

[terrybullwon]

I had a problem with water temp when using other fans, stock s2 or after market slim fans. Of course Marks fan is very good, but for me the easiest way was getting RS2 one as it was available to me relay fast (my friend sold it to me). Now the temp is still at 80 C.

One thing you have to be aware of is a problem with power consumption. I had to change the wires and use bigger fuse to keep up with the 500W fan.

Albert which wires did you change?

[Albert]

Wires form the battery to the fan. Now they are directly form the battery. The on/off is put on extra circuit through big relay.