Topic: Electric Fan

[RNandKT]

Has anyone used the Flex A Lite Thermostatic Controller FLX_30332 with their Ford Electric fan upgrade?

Jeffy has a great sticky on the fan install (BTW nice write up Jeffy), and it shows the wiring and relay but he added his controller afterwards. Flex a lite has the FLX_30332 controller as kind of an all in one deal. As I understand it, it includes the relay in the controller so basically you just wire the fan directly to it, as well as the live 12 V and the keyed 12 V and optional A/C or optional switch and POOF you're done.

Anyway I planned on following his build and grabbing the Lincoln Mark 8 Fan (as it is always cheaper on ebay than the taurus), but wanted to know if anyone else had just grabbed on of these controllers and how they liked it? It is only rated for 40Amp's but that should be fine to run the slow speed leg of the fan.

So any reviews of the controller? There are other cheaper controllers out there, but flex a lite seems like it makes a really solid product.

[sharpxmen]

i think Jeffy uses currently a flex-a-lite controller, not sure if it's the same as the one you listed. I used a different one (Hayden, can't remember the p/n right now but it's in my e-fan thread, i looked for an adjustable one and it was fairly reasonable price-wise at $30 or so; they also have a dual speed for about $45 but not sure what the amp rating is on the high speed) - you're fine with 30amp on the slow speed on Mk8 and 50amp on high speed (i think it was like 15 for low and 30 for high constant draw, the controller has 30 amp and i used a 50 amp relay on high speed for insurance - the high speed is non-adjustable in my case, separate circuit, fuse, relay and t/couple from the hayden one just as fail-safe).

[grumpygy]

This is the one I went with



31165


We talk about some here.

http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,9917.0.html

[Jeffy]

Nope, mine is this one;  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-31147  Didn't feel the need to spend a lot for a controller.  Also wanted something dead simple as the more complicated they get the more likely they are to fail.  Many of the others don't hold up well to the Taurus and MK8 fans.

[aw12345]

If you have the current run through relays and have the controller activate the relays, then the amount of current drawn by the fan is not a problem.
As far as E fan choice, the ones out of a T Bird and Lincoln Town cars with the 4.6 engine fir a TJ radiator perfectly.
Of all the aftermarket kits what I like the least is the temp probe pushed in the radiator fins. It works but is a poor way of doing this. A temp switch in the T stat housing or near it would be a better setup. I s simple, you do not need a controller and works very well

[Jeffy]

Both the 30332 and 31165 have the relay built into them, hence the additional price.  The one I listed is for the controller only.  I use a $5 40a relay since I'm only using the fan on low-speed.  Although I could found a $8 70a relay.  Then a few bucks for 4 spools of wire connectors and a switch.  I also recommend going with a circuit breaker then a fuse.  The probe isn't optimal but it hasn't ever been an issue and requires the least amount of fabing.  Is mounted solidly, you shouldn't get any fluctuation.  Mine has been very predictable.

Keep in mind that the temp at the probe will be less then the actual coolant temp.  I have my thermostat turned all the way down.  It kicks in a few seconds after I come to a stop on a normal day.  If it's hot, it will come on right after I stop.  Works prefectly.

[RNandKT]

Thanks for all the info guys, the thread on the variable speed controller was also very useful, I had not considered that. Now I am torn between the KISS method Jeffy went with or the variable option Grumpygy went with. I suppose it is less thinking to buy the kit from flexalite since the wiring is already laid out for you.

Hmmmmm 

I am also intrigued with the other options for temp probes. AW12345 do you have any links to write ups on an in thermostat sensor setup. Also thanks for the tip on the best fan for a TJ

[sharpxmen]

if you get an adjustable one put the probe on the bottom of the rad, that way won't kick in at all when your vehicle is moving at a reasonable speed (when you have enough airflow thru the rad), play with the adjustment so you keep it in temp range when not moving and you should be fine.

[Jeffy]

Thanks for all the info guys, the thread on the variable speed controller was also very useful, I had not considered that. Now I am torn between the KISS method Jeffy went with or the variable option Grumpygy went with. I suppose it is less thinking to buy the kit from flexalite since the wiring is already laid out for you.

Hmmmmm 

I am also intrigued with the other options for temp probes. AW12345 do you have any links to write ups on an in thermostat sensor setup. Also thanks for the tip on the best fan for a TJ

Well depending on the fan you're using, 31165 might not be the best choice.  It's only rated for 35a. #33054 is rated at 45a though.

I think if you're going to spend $100 then you might want to look at the Controller from DCC.  http://www.dccontrol.com/.  The only problem is getting your hands on it as the owner makes them in his spare time.  I ended up canceling my order as I needed something sooner rather then whenever.

The other option would be http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=852/category_id=646/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd852.htm

You can see my relay setup here; http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,2783.msg95845.html#msg95845 It's setup so the fan is turned on by the controller or by the A/C.  There is another controller by Derale that uses either the thru probe or the screw-in.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-16749/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-16759/overview/

[RNandKT]

The DCC controller looks nice, but from the other thread it looks like you wait quite a while for him to get around to making you one.

Even though the variable controller is more expensive, it seems it is the better option for increasing the life of the fan and lowering the draw on the alternator.

[sharpxmen]

you could start with this will work for low speed, easy to install and only $30, thru fins probe and adjustable from 160-210 (only rated at 30Amps so you can't use it for high speed)
http://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Automotive-3654-Adjustable-Thermostatic/dp/B0049EYE6O/ref=sr_1_3

add another one later (something else rated at 50Amps) for high speed and you have redundancy and 2 speed setup, can be another adjustable one or a regular 195F or so fixed with a 50amp relay (most likely this will never come on unless the low speed one fails or is extremely hot outside).

DCC is the best solution but the guy sucks responding to emails or shipping in time so imo i'd pass on that, too bad he couldn't take it to the next level.

[Jeffy]

you could start with this will work for low speed, easy to install and only $30, thru fins probe and adjustable from 160-210 (only rated at 30Amps so you can't use it for high speed)
http://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Automotive-3654-Adjustable-Thermostatic/dp/B0049EYE6O/ref=sr_1_3

add another one later (something else rated at 50Amps) for high speed and you have redundancy and 2 speed setup, can be another adjustable one or a regular 195F or so fixed with a 50amp relay (most likely this will never come on unless the low speed one fails or is extremely hot outside).

DCC is the best solution but the guy sucks responding to emails or shipping in time so imo i'd pass on that, too bad he couldn't take it to the next level.

The guy, Brian is quick to cancel your order though! 

[RNandKT]

I am not to worried about the high speed leg, from what I hear no one ever needs that unless you live in like AZ during a summer heat wave. I do not even plan on hooking it up. But the variable control flex lite kit would be nice to prevent that stumble the engine gets every time the fan turns on. If it comes on 60% first not only is going to keep from working the alternator too much but also keeps the jeep from stumbling over the sudden power draw. it is supposed to let the fan and electronics last longer as well.

I actually have a set of the 24 lb Ford injectors I am going to install as well and hope to keep the Jeep running a little less like a .... well like a 1980's pushrod Jeep Motor 

In my case I bought a set of 8 re manufactured injectors, but like an idiot I was intent on getting the Design III injectors and I bought the injectors with the EV6 plug on them. So I also had to buy a set of the EV6-EV1 adapter plugs. I was so excited about the "Smokin Deal" I was getting a full set of reman injectors for, it didn't click as to why. Anyway I am doing the injectors first then the fan in hopes of having it run smother etc. (Have to look at selling the extra 4 injectors/adapters I have later)

I have seen the Hayden controller before but there were so many people that have said it stopped working or melted etc etc, that I was worried about reliability on it and would rather spend the money to do it right.

[Jeffy]

I am not to worried about the high speed leg, from what I hear no one ever needs that unless you live in like AZ during a summer heat wave. I do not even plan on hooking it up. But the variable control flex lite kit would be nice to prevent that stumble the engine gets every time the fan turns on. If it comes on 60% first not only is going to keep from working the alternator too much but also keeps the jeep from stumbling over the sudden power draw. it is supposed to let the fan and electronics last longer as well.

I actually have a set of the 24 lb Ford injectors I am going to install as well and hope to keep the Jeep running a little less like a .... well like a 1980's pushrod Jeep Motor 

In my case I bought a set of 8 re manufactured injectors, but like an idiot I was intent on getting the Design III injectors and I bought the injectors with the EV6 plug on them. So I also had to buy a set of the EV6-EV1 adapter plugs. I was so excited about the "Smokin Deal" I was getting a full set of reman injectors for, it didn't click as to why. Anyway I am doing the injectors first then the fan in hopes of having it run smother etc. (Have to look at selling the extra 4 injectors/adapters I have later)

I have seen the Hayden controller before but there were so many people that have said it stopped working or melted etc etc, that I was worried about reliability on it and would rather spend the money to do it right.

The stumble is barely noticable when you run it on low speed.  I get more of a stumble when I turn on my AC.

[sharpxmen]

you can get rid of the stumble if you use the P/S wire to increase the idle (for high speed only, like Jeffy said no need for low speed). My hayden worked ok but maybr i just got lucky, but i am using it only for low speed, i don't recommend it for high speed as it's not meant for that much amp draw. I had the high speed kick in twice in the summer, probably not necessary but if it's there i figured I might as well use it, good measure for redundancy anyway (so i don't rely solely on the hayden).