advice: electronic fan controllers

[heggytime]

Im looking at a few different fan controllers for my dual altima fan upgrade. Im not going to straight wire it to fuel pump or anything of the sort so let's keep that out thx. Im deceiding between the (dakota digital pac-2700) the ( jegs performance #555-52126) the (dif 10085 version c) and ( dif 10090 version d) sorry I couldn't put up links for these, new phone and haven't learned everything yet. Just hoping someone will have looked at these before and have some input. The dif controllers from frsport look good but im worried if the can handle the amps these fans put out which is 30 a peice on startup. I like the jegs performance because it has 70 amp relay so I know its built to handle it and it uses a dry temp sensor that I can mount to the block in case my temp sensor goes out. Id also like a greddy mss but I can't find one. So any input is greatly appreciated. And are all silicone hoses gonna be around $140? I just can't see paying that much for 2 foot of hose lol.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I cannot speak for the JEGS or Dakota ones, but I have a HKS one and I couldn't be happier with it. Works great.

I'd recommend one if you could find one around. I'm pretty sure they were discontinued.

[nifares240]

I use the FAL controller. wired up for ignition so it doesn't drain the battery after turning off. this controller has a variable thermo switch that you can activate at certain temp. to do this, you need to use an infrared thermometer. I'm happy with the unit.

[240sx_in_209]

or u can use a single cam temperature switch. easy to wire. thats how i did it. fans turn on like stock and they turn on when i put on my ac witch ever one comes first

[heggytime]

Well I went ahead and got the one from jegs and a nismo thermostat. Ill put up a reveiw on here when it comes.

[StricNyne]

sounds good

[kingtal0n]

I Dislike electric fans in general. The oem electric fan on the radiator is fine, but replacing that simply reliable clutch fan with a pair of electrical units is grotesque. I have had several bad experiences with them, sure I will share;

#1 I owned a set of FAL unit from flex-a-lite on a Koyo Copper radiator, sr20. The car ran perfect for years like this.
When I SOLD them car, however, the new owner desired A/C. So I added the compressor, wired everything up, filled the system... and it had A/C. But I never drove the car around with the A/C on, I Just handed the new owner the vehicle. Well, a few days later the headgasket pops. He was driving on the highway with the A/C on in the florida heat, the temp gauge went up but he did not notice. Apparently the twin Flex-a-lite fans could not keep the engine cool with the added strain of the A/C. This would not have happened if I had the OEM clutch fan in place.

#2 I had a set of FAL flex-a-lite fans on another SR20 with the adjustable relay unit. Simply enough, the relay was not designed with the power draw of the fans in mind, because it simply burnt up. I opened the black box to find them toasted, after of course the car began spewing coolant while idling in a parkinglot.

I suppose if you consider both of my bad experiences are with Flex-a-lite fans maybe I should just be discouraging the use of those instead of all electric fans. yes they have a place, a good reliable pair, with the proper relay/wiring, that does not strain either themselves or the cooling system or the electrical system... ok, this is what we want.

IMO its easier and perhaps safer to maintain the OEM units, certainly easier.

[StricNyne]

i got a rb swap i can barely fit a fist in there clearance is very slim, i know that i cna buy slim clutch fans but i havent researched the actual clearance i can use, i wouldnt mind a clutch fan but space is a definate issue

[98blackbell]

Ditto on the fans,

Ran the dual fans for almost a year and decided to fix the a/c. W

Well same problem that the dual electrics don't cool enough with the a/c on. ONly use the a/c when have to. Yes live in florida. Had the fans wired to ignition on.

[kouki munster]

You guys must have some other cooling issues, I have an sr with working a/c(along with a 20g and a tubular manifold that doesn't have any kind of heat shielding) and a pair of altima fans the highest I see the temp is 200 crusing the interstate with the a/c on, around town in stop and go traffic it stays under 190. The only thing that I'm worried about is my poor stock sr alternator struggles to keep up under the strain of the altima fans, and I'm lucky to have 13.8v, turn on the headlights and I'm lucky to have 13.5v.The only reason that I'm swapping back to the belt driven fan is just to take the strain off of my alternator.


Also, check your heater cores, my core went bad, it didn't leak but it caused the system to not hold proper pressure and made the car want to run hot. Easiest ways to tell is to sniff the air coming out of your vents when you first turn the fan on, if it smells like antifreeze your core is probably leaky, or you can just bypass the thing and watch your temps.

[nifares240]

I've ran my FAN with A/C on for number of years with no problems. I also changed my thermostat to a nismo one. never had issues.

clutch fans could explode when they fail.

[asoomal]

Clutch fan's don't explode when they fail....-_-

And ya Clutch FTW, pull a helluva lot more air then a similar sized electric fan would.