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is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 11:33 AM
  #1  
89firebirdUSMC's Avatar
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Transmission: 350r
is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33600
i just ordered these 12" fans for my bird, because my stock one went out. i already wired a switch from the batery and the original fan with a LED light to lemme know when the temp. gets passed 200. im just wondering if itll be a good idea to do this or not and if anyone else has their fans wired up to a toggle switch
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 11:42 AM
  #2  
JamesC's Avatar
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

Originally Posted by 89firebirdUSMC
im just wondering if itll be a good idea to do this or not and if anyone else has their fans wired up to a toggle switch
Many members run with a toggle. Check the stickies at the top of the page for more info.

JamesC
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:06 PM
  #3  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

It's much much better to run a fan controller of some type - think of it - just one time forgetting to look at the temp, and you're overheating.

Any auto parts store sells seperate fan controllers from $35 - over $100 depending on the bells and whistles. I run a Flex-a-lite controller I got at Summit for $100 - easy to wire, doesn't use any stock parts, fully adjustable temp settings, has provisions for manual on/off switches - a really great product - best $100 I ever spent.

I highly recommend some sort of fan controller rather than relying on your constant need to see if the temps are high enough.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:36 PM
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JamesC's Avatar
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

Originally Posted by camaronewbie
It's much much better to run a fan controller of some type - think of it - just one time forgetting to look at the temp, and you're overheating.
Exactly why I wanted nothing to do with a manual switch--but others have their heads screwed on tighter than I do. At any rate, here's what I did:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...electrics.html

JamesC

Last edited by JamesC; Feb 15, 2011 at 06:09 AM.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 11:54 PM
  #5  
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Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

I would agree with a contorller. If you ever let anyone else drive your car too, forget to tell them!
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 02:59 AM
  #6  
the solitaire's Avatar
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From: 47798 Germany
Car: '89 RS camaro 305 TBI
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: yep, has those too (stock)
Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

I personally prefer the manual toggle, which I switch as soon as the car is sitting still, but only when backed up by either the stock fan controls or an aftermarket fan controller.

Unless a lower temperature thermostat is used, I see little to no use in radiator mounted fan controllers though, as the stock thermostat only opens shortly before the stock fan controls switch on the stock fan.
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 10:55 AM
  #7  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

Originally Posted by kcb37
.... let anyone else drive your car ....
WHAT? Have you lost your ever-loving mind? That's really sick, ya know. It'll never happen! They'll have to pry my cold dead fingers from the steering wheel, and when they do, the C4 will take out a city block!

{Hmmm - starts thinking ... a little C4 would truly make for a wonderful anti-theft device! Got to go find that "make your own bomb" website ...}

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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:00 PM
  #8  
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From: Shawano, WI
Car: 1986 Camaro
Engine: 350-Carb
Transmission: 700-R4
Re: is it a good idea to run the fans off a switch?

I run my electric fans off of a manual toggle and a aftermarket fan controller. The fan controller is adjustable and I set mine to turn on the fans when it gets to 170 (when thermostat opens). I then have the controller on a toggle because if car is running hot for some reason, I can leave the fan run even when car is turned off. Just how i set it up.
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