Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:24:10 -0800
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Electrical questions. Radiator fan circuit from 85 Vanagon
into 81 air cooled Westy.
In-Reply-To: <47956613.2030607@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Mark.
Thanks.
> Use the relay for sure and make certain to fuse things properly.
For sure I will. I have the fuse panel and relays from the 85. I was
just "wondering out loud" about making things simpler. --- :^)
In my rambling thoughts, I figured that relays do fail, so why not
make it so that the only other major part (aside from the fan!) that
could fail would be the thermo switche(s) or fuse. But this thinking
is based on a lack of knowledge. i.e. obviously I don't fully
understand why the relay is in the circuit in the first place.
> Why would you want to connect both the higher and lower temp switches to
> do the same thing? Any time the high temp switch is triggered the low
> temp switch will already have been activated first so the higher temp
> switch would add nothing in that case.
Thanks. I understand what you mean and understood that aspect of the
schematic. Since I'm starting from scratch, I figured use less wires,
and make it a one speed system (high) that gets "turned on" by either
low or high thermo switch. i.e. no matter what the driving
conditions/engine temp, the fan would blast on high. But then VW must
have had a good reason for designing it with both the low and high
thermo switches and fan speeds. Likely something to do with city
driving and highway driving, engine/fuel efficiency and the longevity
of the fan itself.
I appreciate the warning on the lighted switch.
I should have been clearer.
This isn't an original idea, as I had read about others using it, but
I want to install a little red LED lights that would go on whenever
the fan is turned on by the thermo switch.
Hope this makes sense. And I respect your opinion. Just a laymans'
thought towards simplifying things.
But then who am I trying to "re-invent the wheel" ? --- :^)
Neil.
On Jan 21, 2008 7:42 PM, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> Use the relay for sure and make certain to fuse things properly.
>
> This wiring is all so simple to begin with I don't see why you wouldn't
> just go with the stock setup. Stock wiring would be the more reliable
> choice, IMHO.
>
> Why would you want to connect both the higher and lower temp switches to
> do the same thing? Any time the high temp switch is triggered the low
> temp switch will already have been activated first so the higher temp
> switch would add nothing in that case.
>
> Be careful when adding a lighted switch to this circuit as many lighted
> switches connect the output leg of the switch to ground when the switch
> is off. Not realizing this could cause the fan fuse to blow when a temp
> switch was triggered while the manual switch was off. Really.
>
> Mark
>
>
> neil N wrote:
> > Hi all.
> >
> > If I'm reading this correctly, P 97.66 in Bentley shows a relay that
> > when energized by "Rad Fan Thermo Sw II", energizes the higher speed
> > of the Rad fan.
> >
> > Is the relay there to handle the higher current? Or am I totally
> > misunderstanding the purpose of the relay?
> >
> > And when I install the cooling systems' electrical components into my
> > air cooled Westy, (Jetta Gas engine conversion) could I eliminate the
> > Rad Fan Relay?
> >
> > Could I also wire the circuit so when either "Rad Fan Thermo Switch" I
> > or II is activated ONLY the high speed portion of the fan is
> > energized?
> >
> > Are these bad ideas? I was going for simplicity and more reliability.
> > (no relay to fail)
> >
> > FWIW, I will wire the fan circuit with an "override" switch and LED.
> >
> >
> > Many TIA,
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> > --
> > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
> > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> >
> > Engine swap beginings: http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >
>
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
Engine swap beginings: http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
