Electric Fan Temps

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,707
Reaction score
58,949
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
Do you guys run one constantly or always on a on-off sensor? Looks like the standard on/off sensor is 185/175. I would think it'd run about that regardless. Dunno.

I'll be running dual fans with one either coming on with AC or manual over-ride when in stop-go traffic.
 

RanchWelder

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2023
Posts
798
Reaction score
1,144
Location
Earth
First Name
--------
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
Blazer
Engine Size
355ci
In my opinion, one should come on with water temps and the second with A/C demand, as required.
When I ripped the A/C from my Honda, the secondary fan was not required for cooling.
It never overheated, once A/C was removed.

That said, the GM system runs cooler-ish as a stock feature.
If you run the primary fan off the sensor and the secondary off a switch, you'll be good to go?
Towing or high demand, you'll just have to watch the thermostat and hit the auxiliary fan when required?

That is what I would do. If you can set another sensor to warn you when added cooling could be useful, you would know when to flip the switch manually.
Blinking yellow light?
 

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,707
Reaction score
58,949
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
In my opinion, one should come on with water temps and the second with A/C demand, as required.
When I ripped the A/C from my Honda, the secondary fan was not required for cooling.
It never overheated, once A/C was removed.

That said, the GM system runs cooler-ish as a stock feature.
If you run the primary fan off the sensor and the secondary off a switch, you'll be good to go?
Towing or high demand, you'll just have to watch the thermostat and hit the auxiliary fan when required?

That is what I would do. If you can set another sensor to warn you when added cooling could be useful, you would know when to flip the switch manually.
Blinking yellow light?
Great ideas - some along with what I thought it should be but wasn't sure. Thanks very much!
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,469
Reaction score
8,750
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Great ideas - some along with what I thought it should be but wasn't sure. Thanks very much!
Many cars are setup with 1 fan temperature control and a second a trigger off of AC compressor. You can easily run 1 fan off of a temperature switch,trigger a relay off the AC compressor for fan #2. Temp controlled fan dies in traffic,turn on the defrosters,that will trigger your second fan. And turning on the AC in the summer will Immediately turn on 1 fan for better condenser efficiency.
 

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
2,540
Reaction score
4,589
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
I swapped to electric fans in the 99 vortec 350. I have it on an on off ground switch to my relay. On at 200 off at 185. Problem is the switches I've been getting don't last. There cheap crap. I'm soon going with a fan switch from a 96-99 454. I'm hoping that will lasting quality. I'm still working out details how to force it on with a/c on. Summer is fast approaching lol
 

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,707
Reaction score
58,949
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
What on-off temps do you fellas prefer? I'm trying to get wiring and such sorted on my motor but haven't bought a fan sensor yet. There's a spot in both heads - driver's side is getting the temp gauge sensor and the pass side is getting the fan sensor.

Will probably put a manual override on both.
 

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
2,540
Reaction score
4,589
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
On off Temps depends on engine and thermostat i guess?. I didn't look for a port for the sensor but I think there is one or 2 on the heads. I'll probably use one of the head locations fir the GM switch this time because it would be more accurate
I drilled and tapped my thermostat housing for my current sensor.
 

hoagster

Full Access Member
Joined
May 16, 2017
Posts
1,394
Reaction score
3,437
Location
California
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1973, 2000
Truck Model
K10, 1500
Engine Size
5.3l
Griffin uses a water temp sensor to control the fans, Fan 1 comes on at 185, fan 2 at 210. I'm using my PCM to control the fans and have a water temp sensor if you want it. you'll just have to mkae a relay setup!
You must be registered for see images attach
 

TotalyHucked

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Posts
3,671
Reaction score
11,868
Location
Auburn, Georgia
First Name
Zach
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra 1500
Engine Size
5.3
My tuner set mine to come on at 185 and 205, both are temp triggered. Not sure how we'll tackle it when I do the AC since my harness doesn't have an AC circuit (wish I'd known what I know now, would've bought a different harness)
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,440
Reaction score
5,581
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
My tuner set mine to come on at 185 and 205, both are temp triggered. Not sure how we'll tackle it when I do the AC since my harness doesn't have an AC circuit (wish I'd known what I know now, would've bought a different harness)
F-body three wire sensor and wire it right to the PCM. Shouldn't be too big of a deal to run them along the current harness. I got the sensor, stock connector, and wire run all the way to the red/blue connector from a V6 99 F-body in my local junkyard for like $5. If your tuner is using HP tuners or EFI live, they can turn on the AC controls with no issues. It's a bit trickier using the free software and you need to use an F-body 2156 OS as the base operating system for it to work right.
 

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
12,707
Reaction score
58,949
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
I'm running the ProFlo 4 setup so there may be a sensor for the ECU to activate fans - I have enough schematics to sort without delving into that mess yet, so dunno. My Edelbrock heads each have a spot for a temp sensor (2) plus there is another port next to the thermostat if need be.

I'm a couple-three months from getting to this point - just trying to get wiring configurations sorted and semi-installed while there is no cab or front clip in the way.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,194
Reaction score
8,034
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I'm running the ProFlo 4 setup so there may be a sensor for the ECU to activate fans - I have enough schematics to sort without delving into that mess yet, so dunno. My Edelbrock heads each have a spot for a temp sensor (2) plus there is another port next to the thermostat if need be.

I'm a couple-three months from getting to this point - just trying to get wiring configurations sorted and semi-installed while there is no cab or front clip in the way.
Then you'll see this. Remember the on temp is 15 degrees higher than the off temp. Running a fan lower than the thermostat opening is useless (except for ac override). I want my engine at minimum 195 for emissions and drivability (closed loop on the efi). My primary is set at 205, secondary at 215. The AC kick from the PF4 kicks both fans on. I also have direct manual override switches for both that will never get used. If the ECU goes bad, the fans won't matter. You wont need any switches or senders. The coolant temp sensor for the PF4 is the input via the ECU. The PF4 outputs a ground trigger, so you will need relay(s) for the fan(s). BTW, the temp sending unit will read 10 degrees hotter if mounted in the head versus the intake. That aluminum air gap manifold is very good at shedding heat.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20240402-131658.png
    Screenshot_20240402-131658.png
    297 KB · Views: 36
Last edited:

CalSgt

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Posts
1,703
Reaction score
3,772
Location
CA
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Mine is untested and I haven’t adjusted for temp but I went with a PWM controller from Derale. It will run both fans however fast they need to maintain the temp you set it for. It also spools them up to 60%+ when the A/C is on regardless of temperature.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,194
Reaction score
8,034
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
My tuner set mine to come on at 185 and 205, both are temp triggered. Not sure how we'll tackle it when I do the AC since my harness doesn't have an AC circuit (wish I'd known what I know now, would've bought a different harness)
That's an easy fix. Just tap off the pressure switch that controls the compressor. That's your input via relay to operate the fans. What thermostat you using?
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,192
Posts
951,210
Members
36,314
Latest member
adz372
Top