| Author | Message | ||
| Ace (172.128.83.254) Rating: N/A |
Ok here we go again! Wanting to hook up an 16" radiator mounted 12v Electric Fan to help move hot air out and away from Generator and it's motor so it will run ONLY when the gen set is running. One idea that was told to me is I could wire it to the same terminals as the electric fuel pump. Ok it worked fine until, what I think is, the electric fuel pump is wired thru a relay and can only accept 3 amps maximum. What happened is, after about 2-3-4 minutes of running the generator cuts itself off as if to run out of fuel but fires back up immediately only to do the same thing again. I disconnected the fan from the fuel pump terminals and it keeps on running without a glitch. Is there a way to wire the fan to run ONLY when the genset is running? I know... I'm a glutten for punishment but what the hell! Lay it on me! By the way, update on the black tank. It is still hanging fine, with NO Leaks!  Oh and Marc, don't advise me to just put a on/off switch in line because I already thought of that and really don't want to, period! Ace | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.252.9.211)
Rating: N/A |
Relay off the oil pressure switch. Gary | ||
| Nick Morris (Nick3751) (65.117.139.135)
Rating: N/A |
Can you wire it off a water temp switch to come on when you antifreeze reaches X temp? Maybe with, what I call a hot water temp sender, that closes the circut when the temp gets warm. | ||
| jimmci9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
gary's got the right idea... you can use a normally open switch to control a relay...ww grainger has them...mount the NO/nc switch in an oil gallery... let engine oil pressure contol turning the fan off...you can also parallel a timer in, to run the fan after the engine has shut down... | ||
| Jim-Bob (152.163.100.133) Rating: N/A |
Hi Ace. If I were doing it (and I am, just a couple of months behind you.) I would run the fan motor through a relay, one of those little universal cube relays. They carry 30 amps. I would run the coil circuit through an automotive coolant temp switch from a front wheel drive car. That way the fan runs only when it is needed, hence, less wear. Also, your parts will be available at any parts store when they fail in West Podunk on Sunday night. | ||
| Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A |
Ace, a relay is the way to go. Hook it so the fuel pump operates the relay and the relay operates the high current fan. Here's the source I use for them- just a couple bucks apiece. I keep a few around at all times for stuff just like this! They all use standard 1/4" push-on blade connectors Without a mounting tab: http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=RLY-630&type=store This one also has an internal clamping diode built in- what this means is that you have to get polarity correct on the coil, and the diode suppresses any spikes that may get created as the coil is turned on and off. With a mounting tab: http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=RLY-351&type=store | ||
| Marc Bourget (209.142.38.81) Rating: N/A |
Ace, I'm sorry but I don't understand your comment about putting a on/off switch in line? From my understanding, electrical switches, to function or have an effect, have to be "in line". Back to your question, in line with what? What I'm curious about is whether the genset shuts off coincident with/when the fan comes on? I'm still curious about what you did/what's happening. Marc Bourget | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.221.195) Rating: N/A |
I hate fans , while they may be cheap , there usually noisy. A nice 120V AC squirrel cage blower is lots quieter and built for long & quality service. Simply hook the blower up so it will ONLY be powered with the genset , but not with PP or inverter power. Might take a relay , might not depending on how the poer transfer is done. Have fun, FAST FRED | ||
| Ed (4.131.32.153)
Rating: N/A |
Is the fan pushing the air through the radiator, not drawing it in? Perhaps getting another fan blade with the pitch changed would help with the cooling. If it already pushes the air perhaps a fan with more blades or bringing a shroud back further along the engine. Just to eliminate the need for the additional fan. | ||
| Ace (172.137.76.187) Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys! I AM using a 120v squirrel cage blower that moves a LOT of air and is relatively quiet for it's size to bring air IN but wanted to have a fan on the radiator to help exhaust air out. The cage blower is wired directly to the generator and blows only when the gen is running. I will check into the relay and see if that will work the 12v fan! The fuel pump relay says it can handle 3 amps ONLY and my guess is that it was just too much with the added fan. Ace | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (207.30.189.27)
Rating: N/A |
Ace, Might use the fuel pump power supply wire to control a relay (such as a headlight or driving light relay) which in turn would be the switch for the fan. Relay control circuits draw very little power. Jack | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.128.28.99)
Rating: N/A |
Put a relay with a 120v coil on the fan circuit to activate the 12 volts to the fan on the radiator. It will then only run when the genset is on. Get it at Grainger for $22 +/- with the base. Jim | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.16.99)
Rating: N/A |
you can do it Ace, but why? A DC fan will not last as long as an AC blower (no brushes). How about a second AC blower with a fan shroud, or just use the first blower with a fan shoud. My Kohler generator installation uses a two speed blower so you can increase blower speed under extreme conditions. I never have to use high unless I have had the compartment open, interfering with the airflow. | ||
| Jayjay (64.12.116.135) Rating: N/A |
Ace, use a water temp relay/switch. You will be amazed at how little the fan needs to run. My genset may run for 15 minutes before the fan kicks in, and like you I use 12 VDC on the radiator, and a 120VAC for the compartment. Works great. While at your auto parts place, get automotive horn relays instead of the plastic cubes mentioned above. A bit more wxpensive, but soooo much more sturdy. Hi Susan. Cheers...JJ | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.252.9.211)
Rating: N/A |
Is this a radiator fan? or a compartment fan? I thought it was a compartment fan. If it's just a radiator fan, do it like JJ says. Gary | ||
| Ace (172.143.242.149) Rating: N/A |
OK final answer! This is what I did. I took out the small 12v radiator fan and installed the original 120v blade fan that was made for it. Boy does it move the air NOW! It's a little more noisy but it works when the generator works and with the size generator I have (12.5kw) I need the added load anyway. That makes two 120v fans wired direct to the generator. One drawing air IN and one blowing air OUT! If anything happens to the generator, it won't be because of lack of air! Thanks guys... Ace | ||
| Airless in Mississippi (68.243.125.182) Rating: N/A |
Ace Great job. MARC stop it most are really getting tired of reading it. You say over look your comments if we chose not to read them but it is really difficult when you have something to say about every topic and it is in line when trying to read the next real answer. PLEASE PLEASE take a rest and do something nice like just read and stop writing. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)
Rating: N/A |
Airless-- It takes two to tango, please look at the first entry in this thread, I don't think it's fair to single out Marc as the sole instigator. Gary | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.150.127.119)
Rating: N/A |
Gary- you missed half a dozen bitterly antagonistic posts that Ian has deleted. Airless's comments are right on for the deleted posts. Jim | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay) (208.34.240.91)
Rating: N/A |
__. Yeah, your setup sounds good, Ace. I particularly like the "squirrel-cage" (centrifugal) blower -- they will build up an actual pressure in an enclosed space. A plain bladed fan is fine to keep air moving in an unenclosed space but if someone's need is to build up air pressure to flow around corners, obstacles, etc. the centrifugal blower is the only way to go (if there's room for it -- it's also not very good as an exhaust fan). Bruce Henderson, Wallace NC |