Q's about Flex-A-Lite Fans

[drift into a curb]

I was reading around on zilvia and researching what set ups people were using. It seems most people are running Puller Fans. I purchased a Flex-A-Lite 240 Pusher, but was told I could change the direction by the wiring. Will I run into any problems with this? Also, the FAL 240 Pusher doesn't come with a thermo sensor. Should I be looking at purchasing this kit?
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PRM%2D19001
What is the difference between the 170 degree thermo sensor and switch kits?
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PRM%2D19007

Also, uiuc240 noted that the stock fans come on at about 210 degrees. I don't know the temperature that the motor usually runs at, but I just want to make sure at 170 degrees, when the fan turns on, everything is a-ok or is it turning on too soon? I appreciate your guy's advice.

[mixxamike]

I recently installed Stanza ellectric fans in my s14. I can't help you with everything, but i can tell you that just like running your engine too warm, running it too cold isn't good for it either. I think you might be ok at 170 degrees, but i would get some more oppinions.

[uiuc240]

Both of those kits turn your fans on too early, in my opinion. The operating temp of the 240 motors is right about 180 degrees. That means your fans will run all the time once the motor is warmed up. That's pointless. I have mine set to turn on at ~195. That's plenty of warning before things get way too hot.

Get this one and wire the power side of it to a relay if you want to be extra save. I just have mine running directly to the battery. It's worked flawlessly for 3 years now.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=FLX%2D31147

You can set the temp to whatever you want. Unless they changed it, you can adjust it WAY down. I can make my fans turn on when the temp is like 120 degrees if I want to.

Oh, and I think the blades are different for some pusher fans...make sure yours are compatible.

Eric

[drift into a curb]

I was afraid that at 170 degrees it would be too soon. Spend a little more and get a little more i guess. That adjustable temp sensor sounds like a good idea. Which would be the better choice for the adjustable thermo sensor, Permacool (160-210 degrees) or flex-a-lite (180-240 degrees)? Is any one better than the other, quality & user-friendly? Thanks for the help guys.

Permacool adjustable kit
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PRM%2D18905

[uiuc240]

I was afraid that at 170 degrees it would be too soon. Spend a little more and get a little more i guess. That adjustable temp sensor sounds like a good idea. Which would be the better choice for the adjustable thermo sensor, Permacool (160-210 degrees) or flex-a-lite (180-240 degrees)? Is any one better than the other, quality & user-friendly? Thanks for the help guys.

Permacool adjustable kit
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PRM%2D18905

The Permacool kit just has more stuff. If you don't need the wire or the connectors, then you'll be fine with the Flex-A-Lite kit. I used my own 10 guage wire to hook my fans up...and my own connectors. This summer, I plan to rewire the whole setup to be much cleaner. I'm going to get rid of the connectors and solder/shrinkwrap everything. You should too.

Eric

[Startours7]

I might be wrong, been wrong before. Your fans will have nothing to do with your car reaching or not reaching operating temp. Thats the themistat's job.
You could have 14 fans running all the time and the therm. would still open at the same temp.
I have one 12'' puller on a switch. I just turn it on when I start my car.
It still runs at the same temp and doesn't take any longer to get there. If I have the extra money some day I'll get a therm sensor just so I don''t have to remember ti turn it on.

All the e-fans that I looked at where set up as pushers. I had to take the blade off and turn it around. Then wire it pos. to neg. My fan has a reversing motor. It spins no matter what way you hook it up just differnt ways.
hope that helped. Call Flex-a-lite and ask them to be sure.

[uiuc240]

You're right, the thermostat controls the coolant, and the coolant controls the heat of the car.

But...

If your fans are set to come on at 170, they will be on ALL the time, because the thermostat opens at 180 (meaning that the car's operating temp is OVER 170). If you don't mind the fans being on all the time, it's fine. I like mine to shut off when not needed. It's a big draw on the elec. system.

Eric

[Siizzzoooo]

i have a permacool on mine, and it has the sensitivety knob on it.

I have it turned way down, only if i run it hard does it come on.

Having it on ALL THE TIME is pointless dont you think? If u had it like that, if it is a hot summer the fans will cut on...mine did..lol

[misnomer]

Startours: Just to expand a bit on what uiuc said, the thermostat is the component that has the biggest impact on your operating temperature, but when the car isn't moving, air doesn't pass through the radiator to cool down the water. What we're saying is set your fans to a bit above your thermostat's operating temperature, so that when there isn't air flowing across the radiator and things heat up, the fans click on

[drift into a curb]

Good stuff. You guys been alot of help. Thanks for the info. I'll see about switching the direction of the fan blade when the fan gets here (still waiting for shipping).

[Startours7]

You guy's make a good point.

[misnomer]

A lot of fans are built to work as either a pusher or puller. You will need to turn the fan blade around for it to be worthwhile, but the one's I've seen were designed for this.