DaveFJ
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 08:31 AM |
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what wire for rad fan
Need to do some quick repair work to my loom (radiator fan wiring) and all I have to hand is 15amp wire...
Is that enough for my rad fan or should i go find some 20 amp?
should probably point out that the tiger loom does not use a relay for the fan
cheers
[Edited on 18-9-09 by DaveFJ]
Dave
"In Support of Help the Heroes" - Always
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nick205
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 08:41 AM |
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What size fuse have you got fitted for the fan?
IIRC I wired my fan with 30A fuse and cable to suit.
I guess if you use 15A wire and fit a 10-15A fuse you might be OK, but fans take a large current especially when the kick in.
ETA....
Thinking further....
If you've only got 15A wire then use 2x wires for 30A capacity.
[Edited on 18/9/09 by nick205]
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wilkingj
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 08:54 AM |
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Agreed... I would measure the current on the fan, then double the wire size to cope with the startup current rush.
Also I would switch the current with a relay (with suitable current rating for the startup current).
Relays have a habit of welding the contact together, if they are not of sufficient rating.
I would extract a 40Amp relay from a scrap yard on a visit! (just make sure you get one with the right contact arangement on it.
Dont get this wrong, as there is a fair bit of current flowing, and you dont want a fire in your car.
We have already seen a couple of posting on what a fire does to your pride and joy.
ie do the job properly regardless of the costs. Penny pinching could cost you your car in the long run.
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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02GF74
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 09:21 AM |
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maplins sell 12 V relay, 40 A, £ 2
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37526
the inrush current does not last for long so is more a worry for the fuse than the wire itself.
they also sell high current wire, 30 A colour choice is limited though:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=6200
88p a meter.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 10:23 AM |
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As a guide a 7" fan takes 4 amps running and 7 amps at start up for less than 1 second
Bigger fans take about 8 amps running flat out say a 15amp in rush.
17 amp cable should be fine fused at 15 or 20 amp
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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DaveFJ
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 10:42 AM |
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had a look the the tiger loom and decided that to retro fit a relay is going to be major loom surgery - ie not going to stafford!
so i think i will stick wioth the tiger design for now and leave that for a project next time the engine is out...
going to get myself over to maplins and get some 30A wire and run that through, just in case...
cheers for all the advice
[Edited on 18-9-09 by DaveFJ]
Dave
"In Support of Help the Heroes" - Always
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britishtrident
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 10:51 AM |
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No tintop uses 30amp for the fan, even the very the biggest tintop fans are rated at 240 watts = less than 17 amps at 14 volts
30 am wire is way too heavy --- for 30 amp you will need the correct size connectors (ie yellow crimps)
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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DaveFJ
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| posted on 18/9/09 at 12:58 PM |
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got all the connectors, checked fuse as per Tiger loom and it is rated @ 25 amp. As I say , no relay in the system so I dont want to take any
risks....
Dave
"In Support of Help the Heroes" - Always
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