Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

How much current does the stock elec fans draw?


Recommended Posts

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...