I am gunna put a switch in my console so I can ground the electric fan whenever I want to make it spin instead of waiting for my water temp to come up. So I need to rate the switch according to how much it draws. I tested the switch with a pot full of water, a thermometer and a ohmeter, it went at 95 degrees celcius or 203 degrees F. And btw at what temp should a stock thermoswitch ground itself?

bump

 

1. How much current does the stock electric radiator fans draw?

 

2. At what temperature does the thermoswitch in the radiator ground itself?

Okay the FSM tells me the fan is rated at 12volts 120watts or less, So the Current would be 10amps or less at 12volts.The Switch should close at 95 +/- 2 degrees C and open at 91 +/- 2 degrees C

The Switch should close at 95 +/- 2 degrees C and open at 91 +/- 2 degrees C

Are you sure thats for an ea81 no ac?

Cause mine opens at 95 degrees to earth the fan as it is recieving a constant 12 volt while key is in on possition.

Bob, I think you've got it backwards. Your switch appears to be working fine. At 95 +/-2, the switch should close, completing the circuit and grounding (earthing) the fan(s). The fans should then run until the coolant temp reaches 91 +/-2 at which point the switch should open, faulting the circuit and stopping the fans.

 

Additional thought:

 

You could just get an el cheapo switch and use it to run a relay that would turn the fans on and off. Reduced current at the switch and all the high-amp stuff stays under the hood and out of the cabin.

I have both of my fans on my brat running off a 30A standard relay,with all new wiring, but I needed a 15A or 20A fuse for the circuit since I have 2 fans hooked to it. the 10 would last a while, then melt the fuse slowly....

 

 

Bob, I think you've got it backwards. Your switch appears to be working fine. At 95 +/-2, the switch should close, completing the circuit and grounding (earthing) the fan(s). The fans should then run until the coolant temp reaches 91 +/-2 at which point the switch should open, faulting the circuit and stopping the fans.

 

Additional thought:

 

You could just get an el cheapo switch and use it to run a relay that would turn the fans on and off. Reduced current at the switch and all the high-amp stuff stays under the hood and out of the cabin.

Mick, any chance you have a diagram drawn up??? and where to purchase the relay and so on.... Thanks Joe

the standerd ea81 cooling fans (not the a/c secondary fan) does indeed draw about 10 amps for the starting, probably drops to around 4-6amps once it's spun up to speed. Pretty heafty little moter they cramed in thoes fans.

Yeh you wouldnot want it spinnin when you crank over your engine

Thanks Mick for the Diagram... Joe.... Oh what gauge wire did you use????

I used 12 guage for my fans.

 

Thanks Mick for the Diagram... Joe.... Oh what gauge wire did you use????

With that setup the fan can spin when car is off and drain your battery.

 

It would be better to put the old fan possitive up to the switching side of the relay so the fan can only get power when key is on. The side that the wire that goes to your dash switch but the possitive.

sure, but if both fans are going, you will feel it and hear it as a reminder to shut it off.

 

I rarely even turn mine on, unless I end up sitting in traffic for a bit, or I'm off-road and moving slow.

 

With that setup the fan can spin when car is off and drain your battery.

 

It would be better to put the old fan possitive up to the switching side of the relay so the fan can only get power when key is on. The side that the wire that goes to your dash switch but the possitive.