Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2023 18:06:28 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Installing an override switch on the vanagon radiator sensor
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk1CwRmJVGimDJVeXL4bq8CyD6AVp_VurQOQX24NEY41ng@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Yup, nice to have when you know the temp will go up and you can give it a head start. I used mine a bit when I had one.
But, generally I’m hearing mine go on when needed and all seems good.
And, though you folks can do wiring reliably, I feel like when I do it I’m adding a place for failure.
I’m not saying it isn’t a good thing. I’m just saying the stock system does fine for most situations.
On my first 84 it seemed like the fan didn’t come on as quickly as I would have liked, but on my current vans I notice them come on just about the same time I would have thought to turn on the toggle.
On this fan point. I also remember being so surprised when the fan would stay on after turning engine off.
How can that really help? The water pump is off so what real good can that be doing except running down the start battery?
But, so far it has not been a problem so I just smile and walk away even as the small air plane noise continues from the parking spot.
Eric Caron
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 5:47 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Not so bad an idea when you put it that way : )
>
> Jim
>
> On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 4:43 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> well.. I'd think that switch is like insurance... We pay insurance and
>> hope we never have to use it but it's there.
>> When I get stuck in traffic or when I climb a loooong uphill stretch... I
>> like to have that switch...
>>
>> Right? :-)
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 2:35 PM Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Right Eric. Some folks live (and/or drive) where there is a lot of stress
>>> on the cooling system and might need an override. But I've had two gas and
>>> one diesel Vanagons that never took the needle over the middle of the
>>> gauge
>>> unless something was wrong. But then again, I don't live near a mountain
>>> range and I don't haul heavy trailers. For years I thought a little temp
>>> rise on a steep hill was normal, but since replacing my radiator five
>>> years
>>> ago, I don't even get that.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 8:55 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>
>>>> Back from our adventure in Scotland.
>>>>
>>>> I remember adding a manual fan switch to my 84 many years ago. I think
>>> it
>>>> was the legendary Uncle Joel that posted the directions and talked me
>>>> through it.
>>>>
>>>> I can see why it is useful when approaching a hill or a traffic jam but
>>>> for most of us I think the system works without it and I’m going to try
>>> to
>>>> avoid adding and changing things going forward unless I clearly see the
>>>> improvement.
>>>>
>>>> But, for the right person this would be a good modification.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Mar 8, 2023, at 6:38 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> If you are connecting the switch to the wires at the radiator fan
>>>> switch, the high speed is already operating a relay. For 87 and later
>>> with
>>>> AC there is a large relay with a fuse link fed by its own wire directly
>>>> from the battery. For the none AC and earlier vans the relay is on the
>>> fuse
>>>> box.
>>>>>
>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>>>> OlRivrRat
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:51 PM
>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>> Subject: Re: Installing an override switch on the vanagon radiator
>>> sensor
>>>>>
>>>>> Dan & TWeEMBI
>>>>>
>>>>> Since Your Van is a ’90 You should have a 30amp fuse on that
>>>> circuit so You want to have a wire that will carry @ least that
>>> amperage to
>>>> the dash & back which means a 10ga wire should be used ~ Probably a
>>> safer
>>>> more energy wise & professional way to do it would be let the circuit be
>>>> completed via relay placed close to the Rad’ sensor/switch & then a low
>>>> load smaller wire (or wires if like Me You want to control both speeds)
>>> can
>>>> be run to the New Switch on the dash ~
>>>>>
>>>>> ORR ~ DeanB
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 7 Mar , 2023, at 5:03 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks to both of you for the inputs...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> DeanB... the T-Tap is a good idea, I will try it... Could you suggest
>>>>>> what gauge to use from the toggle switch to the radiator sensor?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> dan,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 3:34 PM OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dan & TWeEIMC
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Did Just that not long after I got My 1st H2OBoxer back in ’83
>>>>>>> & also did it to My ’90 not long after I got it in ’06,,, Mine are
>>>>>>> connected to the High Speed circuit since My aim was to be able to
>>>>>>> switch the fan on high as I would be approaching a significant climb
>>>>>>> while loaded with a bunch of boating & camping gear & with a Canoe
>>> or
>>>>>>> 2 on the roof rack & a Raft trailer with a Raft or 2 hitched to the
>>>>>>> rear, in order to keep the Cooling System from even thinking a
>>> little
>>>>>>> bit about heading for high temps,,, It has worked out great for many
>>>>>>> years & I have also considered on numerous occasions about replacing
>>>>>>> the Single Throw switch with a Double Throw switch to provide manual
>>>>>>> control of the Low Speed as well ~ Using “T-Tap” on the wires right
>>> @
>>>>>>> the Radiator Sensor/Switch makes for a very simple way to do the
>>> mod’
>>>>>>> ~ If You are not familiar with “T-Tap” just Google it ~
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ORR ~ DeanB
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 7 Mar , 2023, at 2:17 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> hi all,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am thinking about installing an override switch on the vanagon
>>>>>>>> radiator sensor so I can turn the fan ON/OFF whenever I want. The
>>>>>>>> van is a 1990
>>>>>>> 2.1
>>>>>>>> WBX, no A/C.... in case the sensor fails.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Would using 2 wires from the toggle switch and attaching them on
>>> the
>>>>>>>> 2 wires on the sensor at the bottom of the radiator work? Any risk
>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> problem?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> thank you,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> dan
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
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