Radiator Fan Problem
10-06-2006, 01:37 PM
#1
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Radiator Fan Problem
I have dual Spal 13" fans for cooling. Each is on a separate relay circuit and fuse set to activate at 180 degrees off the same temp sensor switch.
Every few months one of the circuits---always the same fan---melts the wires near the fuse and blows the fuse. Initially they had 30 amp fuses and 10 gauge wire. The replaced wire is still 10 gauge but I changed the fuses to 20 amp figuring it might help.
I checked the circuit and wiring each time its happened and replaced the fuse holder and wires. There's no bad connections or crossed wires. It works fine for a several weeks then it happens again. It's always the same fan. The other one works fine.
Did I answer my own question? Is the problem with the fan motor, not the wiring?
Every few months one of the circuits---always the same fan---melts the wires near the fuse and blows the fuse. Initially they had 30 amp fuses and 10 gauge wire. The replaced wire is still 10 gauge but I changed the fuses to 20 amp figuring it might help.
I checked the circuit and wiring each time its happened and replaced the fuse holder and wires. There's no bad connections or crossed wires. It works fine for a several weeks then it happens again. It's always the same fan. The other one works fine.
Did I answer my own question? Is the problem with the fan motor, not the wiring?
10-06-2006, 01:45 PM
#2
Range Master
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Well the fan motor is causing the draw.......seems like the lower amp fuse should have solved the cooked wires though.....Test the fan, see what the draw is..........
10-06-2006, 01:46 PM
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Well seems like there may be intermiittent problem with that fan, can it be getting caught up on something and stalling? With a 20A fuse - I wouldn't be surprised if it blows the fuse - but if its still melting the wiring that seems odd. A 20A fuse should probably blow at about 25A given the temperatures you are looking at. That may not be enough for the fan motor - but it should not be enough for 10 AWG wiring to melt. What is the wiring gauge or capacity of the fuseholder? Many aftermarket versions are are not designed for more than 10A - maybe less. You need a big roibust one with 10/12AWG wiring all the way to the contacts (and big contacts). Still doesn't explain the 30A fuse blowing unless it was due to the metted wire shoirting to the chassis?
Do you have a picture of the fuseholder type?
Alan
Do you have a picture of the fuseholder type?
Alan
10-06-2006, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan
Well seems like there may be intermiittent problem with that fan, can it be getting caught up on something and stalling? With a 20A fuse - I wouldn't be surprised if it blows the fuse - but if its still melting the wiring that seems odd. A 20A fuse should probably blow at about 25A given the temperatures you are looking at. That may not be enough for the fan motor - but it should not be enough for 10 AWG wiring to melt. What is the wiring gauge or capacity of the fuseholder? Many aftermarket versions are are not designed for more than 10A - maybe less. You need a big roibust one with 10/12AWG wiring all the way to the contacts (and big contacts). Still doesn't explain the 30A fuse blowing unless it was due to the metted wire shoirting to the chassis?
Do you have a picture of the fuseholder type?
Alan
Do you have a picture of the fuseholder type?
Alan
With a 30 AMP fuse it cooks the wire. A really cool plume of smoke bellows out from the hood. WIth the 20 amp in there, it melts it a bit then blows the fuse before the smoke show starts.
Here's the fuse holder
