question regarding water temp gauge sender and elec fan temp sender

[HyperTek]

Ok question, its for my fc but figure general common knowledge would be good since its pertaining to gauges/sending units and not really car specific.. Planing to rock elec fan, maybe a adjustible temp switch that uses a 1/8 threaded sender... I could potentially mount that onto an adapter piece inline with the upper coolant house.
http://i42.tinypic.com/25z2zas.jpg
Could I also tap that sender for a water temp gauge? Basically cutting down cost, purchase the fan switch, and than a aftermarket water temp gauge/w no sender unit on the cheap. Would that work?

[projectRDM]

It depends on the sender, what kind of trigger it is, and what gauge you're using to read it.

[HyperTek]

i was looking at one of these since its dirt cheap and im currently on a no-job budget lol
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=VDO-310105&N=700+115&autoview=sku
Resistance requirements or range for this gauge is 287.4 - 22.7 OHMS.

for the fan controller im lookin at this
Hayden Automotive 3651 - Hayden Automotive Electric Fan Controls - summitracing.com (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=HDA-3651&N=700+115&autoview=sku)

I could maybe call hayden tomarrow and ask em about the operating range of that sender?

[projectRDM]

i was looking at one of these since its dirt cheap and im currently on a no-job budget lol
eBay Motors: VDO Vision Series Water Temp Gauge (item 150318153309 end time Jan-03-09 19:18:52 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=150318153309)

for the fan controller im lookin at this
Hayden Automotive 3651 - Hayden Automotive Electric Fan Controls - summitracing.com (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=HDA-3651&N=700+115&autoview=sku)

I could maybe call hayden tomarrow and ask em about the operating range of that sender?

Most of the senders for temp controllers, as well as a lot of Japan made gauges are a ground trigger, with a variance in output. That VDO gauge probably won't work. But I'd definitely call and get full details before going further.

[BoostedCoupe]

How do you adjust that fan controll kit? Sorry to thread jack but russ, do you think i could tap into my temp adaptor and add that sensor on the other side of it or something?

[projectRDM]

All depends. I personally prefer a Pivot unit since it ties into the OE sender for the ECU, way more accurate than a dial type unit with a probe, but most adapters have room for an additional sender if you tap it cleanly. I usually tap the manifold on the back side, behind the two OE senders so that it's clean and hidden.

[BoostedCoupe]

That sounds good, i just ordered an adaptor so if i want to sale the car i can keep my gauge. I want to do something with my fan. Its a tarus fan and is currently set up to turn on when the key is turned. I dont know if it draws so much watts or what but its hard to get the car to start when its cold.

[racepar1]

A temperature sender will only work to activate fans if you have an actual fan controller and the sensor on your car happens to work with the controller. To activate a fan (or fans) the cheap way you need a thermal fan switch, one relay for each fan, and a manual switch inside the cabin. I used the thermal fan switch that goes into the lower hose on singlecam 240's to activate my fans. It's kinda weird though cuz it only turns on for like 10 seconds at a time and then shuts off. I think it is because the car just isn't hot enough to turn them on and keep them on though. It NEVER, EVER goes above 1/2 on the guage.

[HyperTek]

wait didnt some s13s come with some sort of sensor in the lower rad hose?

[BoostedCoupe]

wait didnt some s13s come with some sort of sensor in the lower rad hose?
i think 89-90's did.

[superJoy]

When I ran Taurus fan I ran one of these:

Derale 16769 - Derale Adjustable Fan Controllers - summitracing.com (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=DER%2D16769&N=700+115&autoview=sku)

With a relay hooked up so it only got power when the car was on (hooked the fan up to low only, that was more than enough):

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall2.gif
(image from How To Properly Install An Electric Fan (http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall.htm))

That Derale thing has a probe that sticks in the upper radiator hose (wire is thin enough to clamp hose down over it). Or you can shove it in the radiator fins, but that won't work as well. Less chance of leakage though. (It comes with a little foam pad you stick to the inlet neck. The idea is, the probe's wire gets pushed into the foam as you tighten the hose and it doesn't leak. If you do it right, no leaks, but I suck and it leaked a little. Haha.)

Then I used a normal upper hose 1/8 npt adapter for my aftermarket temp gauge.

Worked pretty well. It was all automatic, fan turned on when needed. Car stayed right at 180* F, never any drama.

[racepar1]

wait didnt some s13s come with some sort of sensor in the lower rad hose?

Exactly, that's what I am using. It is actually a thermal fan switch for the A/C fan on the singlecam cars. Free fan install rocks! Just use that switch to turn on the relays.

[HyperTek]

I just ordered this on ebay
eBay Motors: Hayden, Inc. 3651 Cooling Fan Control (item 270322931079 end time Jan-01-09 20:41:45 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270322931079&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=)
its typically $45 on summit. I will probably need to find a adapter piece to mount it.

superjoy i ran one of those in my old s13, jus wanted something a lil more solid/cleaner for the rotary with less margin to fail.
http://i44.tinypic.com/34sgjcz.jpg

racepar1 any idea what temp that sensor kicks the relay? If i woulda known that earlier i probably gotta looked for one at the junkyard today lol.

i picked up a fiero gt elec fan for $15 during 1/2 new years special
*test fitted on a junkyard fc in this pic
http://i43.tinypic.com/2r3inow.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/aepgew.jpg
Single speed is all you need. Shroud is cleaner/simpler than a taurus fan which typically needs some trimming, and uses less amperage.

powerful too
i tested it
YouTube - Pontiac Fiero GT Electric radiator fan testing mazda rx7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9hq_fT45CE)

[projectRDM]

Good find. Since the Fiero is a mid engine V6 it would need a good size fan to cool it, I never even thought of that.

[g6civcx]

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall2.gif
(image from How To Properly Install An Electric Fan (http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall.htm))



Good diagram. Just one comment. Make sure you ground the car really well so you don't have problems with ground loops. The fans can cause your electronics to malfunction if not grounded correctly.