SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MECH.FAN ROBS A LITTLE POWER, HAS ANYONE REPLACED WITH ELECTRIC FANS? IS THEIR ROOM FOR 2 FANS?

I would think the "power" required to provide the cooling air too lower engine temps would be roughly the same, no matter whether electric or mechanical. An electric fan may not be driven by the engine directly, but the alternator that generates the electricity to power the electric fan is still driven by the engine.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif Wonder why that fact is always overlooked. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif


DAVE

I just bought a Jeep wrangler as a tow vehicle and it was strange not seeing a fan , where a fan should be. It’s 100% electric. I thought that was the smartest thing i have ever seen.

Takes no power from the engine.

At roughly 30mph (varies from vehicle to vehicle) the forward momentum will push more air through the radiator than the fan. This is where the electric is at an advantage as it could be turned off to reduce the load on the engine.


I don't think GM would risk putting an electric fan on a 2500HD or 3500 as the reliability would never approach that of a mechanical.

I HAD ONE ON MY 1990 GMC 1/2 TON W/5.0, AND I SWAPPED THE STOCK FAN FOR 2 ELECTRIC ONES. MOTOR REVED UP SMOOTHER AND WAS WAY LESS NOISE. I DO NOT PULL ANY THING W/ MY DMAX SO I THINK IT COULD WORK. WOULD TAKE A LITTLE MASTERMINDING ON THE BRAKETS,

I just bought a Jeep wrangler as a tow vehicle and it was strange not seeing a fan , where a fan should be. It’s 100% electric. I thought that was the smartest thing i have ever seen.

Takes no power from the engine.





The power from the fan DOES come from the engine via the alternator...





The engine driven fan actually takes less power than one would think. It is driven via a viscous coupling, and "breaks away" at about 1500 RPM until such time as the heat load "engages" it fully due to demand.





During normal operation, it is highly beneficial to maintain constant air flow across the coolers: Intercooler, trans, AC, and radiator...

Here is some interesting information on the debate between mechanical and electric cooling fans.


http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0406/30/c01-199198.htm


This story is about the fuel economy improvements that GM has planned for 2005 fullsize trucks and SUVs. Obviously, the story is based on gas engines, but GM is expecting to get .2 MPG improvement by switching to dual electric cooling fans. The improvement is created by only running the fans when needed.


There are losses with both systems when they are running. The advantage of the electric fans is they can be turned completely off.

Should be mentioned for clarity, the stock fan always sucks 3-5 HP. Even when the clutch is disengaged, viscous forces keep it spinning (not saying that is bad necessarily). About 15 HP loss when clutch engaged (and the racket). No electric counterpart can do the work of this fan backed by a 300 HP motor. Don't look to electric to improve cooling, but it may improve MPG.