Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:40:22 -0500
Reply-To: Joe Federici <joefederici@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joe Federici <joefederici@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Electrical questions. Radiator fan circuit from 85 Vanagon
into 81 air cooled Westy.
In-Reply-To: <c4e7c5f90801220914hd44a124jb646ea35a56d8408@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
Recently I added AC to my van and in the process changed over the
wiring harness from a non-AC to one used on the AC so I could pick up
the med speed fan relay in the fuse panel. What I found interesting
was the tiny ground it use by the fuse panel, I added a second at the
fan.
I also noticed on most of the vans (I looked at 3 in the junk yard in
PA) that the larger female spade connector that connects from the
harness to the high speed fan relay was cracked on most of the
harness. This is the relay that is up behind the fuse panel. The
power going to it was fine. Not sure if it was due to the angle or
what but if your in there I'd take a look.
JFF
On Jan 22, 2008, at 12:14 PM, neil N wrote:
Thanks Mark. The help is appreciated, and as a side note, I must say I
have learned a lot being on this list.
I'll stick with the stock design though I *may* install an LED that
would indicate when fan is on.
Interesting to note what can happen with over useage of the high speed
part of the rad fan circuit. When doing electrical work on my Westy
last year, I was surprised to see one of the heavier gauge female
spade connectors to one of the fuses was starting to melt. Of course i
replaced the connector, but you'd think the original design wouldn't
allow that to happen. Anyway.....
Thanks again. I'll do my best to think things through before posting
such strange ideas to this list. --- :^)
"Now wheres my drawings for that new oblong wheel I was
designing....." --- ;^)
Neil.
On Jan 22, 2008 6:07 AM, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> Neil, the high speed fan relay is seldom triggered and thus
> unlikely to
> fail. On a few vans I have put a manual switch in to activate high
> speed
> for special circumstances, using the manual switch to turn on the
> relay.
>
> One thing I would point out is that the older wiring may not really
> withstand heavy use of high speed and I have seen overheating and
> melting at the fan fuse holder at S7 on pre 86 models wired to use
> high
> speed more often than stock.
>
> Mark
>
>
> neil N wrote:
>> 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.
>>
>>> ...........
>
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
Engine swap beginings: http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/