FK-50P variable speed electric fan controller

[Ryann]

http://www.dccontrol.com/fancontrol.htm

Constantly adjusts the speed of your electric fan depending on the temperature differential of engine coolant vs. the desired engine temp. Makes WAY more sense than simply switching fans on and off with a relay. I've seen this stuff on warehouse refrigeration systems, apparently saving energy and extending electric motor life.

Anybody using something like this in conjunction with their electric fan conversion?

[KenC]

CorvallisBMW is a cold refrig engineer and was talking to me about this yesterday. It makes sense in a warehouse when you can save a ton of power by not running fans/compressors at 0 or 100%. You're not saving any gas or power in your car though to justify the work.

[Ryann]

Yeah, but wouldn't it be kinda nice to never hear the fan suddenly kick on? It'd steadily ramp up speed as conditions required. And it definitely wouldn't HURT anything to minimize the amp load on your charging system.

[Danny]

Not nice enough to spend 70+ dollars, that's what I have a stereo for.

[KenC]

Is it cool? Yes, definitely. It's pretty sweet technology.

Is it worth the price? Not at all.

I have an electric puller wired up to a relay on a temp switch. I never hear it.

[b*saint]

I never hear mine either. In fact I thought it was broken for the longest time.

[DaveSmed]

Man I still wish I had an alldata subscription.

I THINK late model Chrysler products have the same setup, they use PWM to control the fan, very similar to an automatic climate control blower fan. Would allow for infinite adjustment of fan speed. Very nice indeed, especially if referenced to the VSS to back the fan down automatically at higher road speeds.

[Wh33lhop]

I THINK late model Chrysler products have the same setup, they use PWM to control the fan, very similar to an automatic climate control blower fan. Would allow for infinite adjustment of fan speed.

That has nothing to do with PWM, a trimpot would allow for infinite (continuous) adjustment as well just by varying the voltage to the fan.

This is a cool technology but in cars, you are not really looking to save energy, especially when you are just slightly alleviating the fan's overall electrical load. The end benefit that this would yield would be negligibly higher gas mileage. I can think of about a thousand things I'd rather spend eighty bucks plus tax on.

[nando]

I could do PWM fan control with MS, but it's totally pointless. the thermoswitch and relay is simple and it works - you aren't saving any power with that either, because if you haven't been sitting at a light for 10 minutes, the fan is never going to come on while you're moving in the first place.

[DaveSmed]

That has nothing to do with PWM, a trimpot would allow for infinite (continuous) adjustment as well just by varying the voltage to the fan.

A trim pot directly controlling a rad fan would need to be roughly the size of your wheel+tire. Bit tough to mount.

This is a cool technology but in cars, you are not really looking to save energy, especially when you are just slightly alleviating the fan's overall electrical load. The end benefit that this would yield would be negligibly higher gas mileage. I can think of about a thousand things I'd rather spend eighty bucks plus tax on.

No doubt. I would spend $15 at the junkyard for it though....

[Ryann]

I'm talking about the $145 piece. I agree that it's too expensive, but it'd still be cool.