atlantadan

I purchased some Derale aftermarket fans/shroud in yet another chapter of the "let's figure out how I can run the AC and keep the engine cool in ATL traffic" saga.

Can I beef up the stock wiring and relays and continue to have the PCM control turn-on?

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

They are calling for more amperage than stock?

atlantadan

Stock fans are 100 & 150 watts. These are 265 so yeah, they're going to pull a lot more.

BALLSS

265 watt load at 12 VDC is 22 amps
150 watts is 12.5 amps

you would need 8 gauge wire rated for 25-30 amps at 12 VDC for each 265 watt motor
IDK what size your fan wiring is, doubt its 8 gauge though
IDK what the stock relays are rated for also but fan fuse amp is 40 for each

shbox

The PCM can easily control the relays, just like it does now. They don't take much power. It is the load side that needs attention if you want to go bigger.

Shownomercy

iTrader: (1)

My LSX PCM controls my derale fans just fine, but, I have em on a high/low/both setting not like the soft start LT1 relay config.

Either way, the PCM does not care what the relay does with the power once its clicked on/off. Just be sure to get quality high amperage relays and fuses for the circuit. Good grounds as well. (Do NOT use the fuse holders that came with the fans)

atlantadan

Thanks all - I've asked Gary if his 10-GA would be up to the task and if so, I'll just buy his relay TSB kit for the b-body and be done with it. Edit - Gary confirmed that his TSB kit would work just fine, so its been ordered.

BALLSS

A gauge chart shows 8 gauge for your amp load. Given that the wire length involved is short "maybe" the 10 gauge will work....although it is recommended not to run max load through a given wire gauge

Gary makes very good stuff. If your battery cables are original....might want to consider getting new ones from Gary also. With both the higher amp fans, AC on and whatever other electrical load you will have you want your charging system to be in solid working order

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Now wondering if i should upgrade the fans or the radiator for cooler temps when the a/c is on...

atlantadan

Great suggestions, ******. I've already got Gary's battery cables, and dual-relay headlight harness, so the fan-relay stuff will be a good match. I also installed a new 140a alt about 6 months ago, so I'm not too concerned about overloading the system.

While the engine was out last week, I went ahead and combed through the entire underhood electrical system to make sure everything was in good shape and was happy to see everything in-order.

BALLSS

Good to hear Gary's kit will hold the load. You will need to detach the under hood fuse/relay box to access the various wire terminals currently feeding the stock relays to connect to Gary's pigtail. He will have complete instructions, as usual, with his kit. His stuff is so well thought out and his workmanship is solid

atlantadan

Well, for me it was really down to math:

BeCool 2-row: $649
Derale 4000CFM fans: $305

If the fans don't do it, I'll just return them and get the radiator.

BALLSS

Griffin, Be-Cool, FSR, Ron Davis, etc...from what I see are around $600+ for a 2, or more, row all aluminum.

Google came up with this 3 row aluminum...cheap

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KKS-3-Row-Al...pYr0aI&vxp=mtr


I found my FSR in FS on a forum. Seller just had it made for his T56 no cooler Impala and it had a small pin hole in it when he installed it. Even though FSR has a warranty he couldn't wait for repair so he bought another one and sold the repaired one when he got it back. It basically had no miles on it. $400 shipped. It cost him over $600