Re: Secondary Fan

Posted by Don Shields On 2015/6/13 22:49:48

I added a pusher fan to my 1954 Convertible when trying to correct a coolant loss through the radiator neck overflow tube. It would lose coolant seemingly at a drop of a hat. A lower temperature thermostat didn't help, so I thought I'd try a large auxiliary fan. That didn't correct the loss condition either, and it seemed to have little effect on depressing the temperature gauge reading. Perhaps it might help prevent the gauge from going to the overheat zone, but I can't say that with certainty. It turns out the coolant loss was due to a too low pressure radiator cap. Replacing the 7 psi cap with a 14 psi one corrected the condition.

Getting back to the fan, it is a good peace of mind item; parades and low speed/hot weather driving conditions are much less worrisome knowing I can switch it on if the need arises. It moves a lot of air when it is operating. But I can't say that it's absolutely necessary. As Howard points out, it does draw a lot of current, around 30 amps. Now my car was converted to 12 volts with an alternator by the prior owner, so the system can handle it. I first wired it directly to the switch, but the switch got uncomfortably hot. So I added a relay to the circuit and that keeps the switch much cooler. But it is something that I very seldom use because the need doesn't arise. I know I seem to be all over the page on this, but that's been my experience and well, you asked. Best of luck with your '37.