SnakeFeeder

Upgrading from mechanical fans here Mark.

antsmands

Are you keep your stock alternator?

SnakeFeeder

Yes...why do you ask?

mark kibort

Gocha!

can you find a S4 fan tray with both fans installed? they are a good fan system.
I think the amperage draw per fan is about 12 amps per fan.

a stock altenator can handle 70-80amps no problem. Also, just to keep the car running costs about 10amps. It all adds up quickly, but you need to have about everyhing on to start drawing from the battery

mk

SnakeFeeder

Thanks for the info Mark...I must admit I didn't even go looking for the stock set up. I recall reading somewhere not too long ago that the cost more than the one I'm getting (could be wrong of course!).

jpitman2

Snakefeeder, I didnt mean an S as distinct from a 4.5, but as different from an S4, as the S4 hoses and radiator are slightly different from the earlier cars.
Mark K :- S4 fan set here will cost as much (used) as the SPAL 2 x 11" has cost me including shipping, and its brand new, and SPAL list the motors as 10,000 hr life....Took me a couple of hours to get fitted, so its no big deal there.
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k

antsmands

Have read that there is not enough output from the stock alt to handle the demands of adding electric fans on an OB. I want to do an electric fan myself and get rid of the original but I do not want to do a alt mod to do the ele fan.

SnakeFeeder

The WSM lists all model years with the same alternator output...90 A / 1260 W so it should be fine.

jpitman2

I cheked mine with the 2 fans running the other day. At the hot post idling I saw 13.6V, with AC on. I looked at the alternator (Valeo) insides when I did the belt etc 10k miles ago, and if I could have found brushes, I would have put them in, but they were not to be had locally at the time.
You would have more reason for concern if you fitted a high spec sub woofer to your stereo than an electric fan upgrade IMHO.
Last week when I tested the fans first time, the original 40A fan relay was too hot to hold after a 1 hour run in 95F temps, so I replaced it with a new 20A unit. After a half hour run (fans cycling), it was just warm. I will be checking all the original relays for temp after a decent run just in case...Fuel pump relay (non std) is not very old, so that one should be ok for a while.
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k

antsmands

You Aussies are a great reference for us guy's in North America this time of year. Can't even drive my car right now. Your info makes me believe that I should be OK with and ele fan. I do believe 90A should be fine for the amount of time I drive the car and our short summers here. Snakefeeder please post when you get yours installed and let us know how it works.

Thanks Mates!

shmark

I've been running Carl's SPAL electric fan kit for months now and been very happy with it. I had been running the belt-driven fan with the air pump disconnected and a shorty belt, but that belt doesn't have much tension and I'm certain it does not drive the fan very well...especially in hot southern summers. Yes Carl's kit attaches with through-radiator straps but that is a proven method and is very solid. I also like that the fan fits nicely in the stock shroud. Dual fans may provide a bit more coverage, but the single works very well in Atlanta in traffic with the a/c on.

SnakeFeeder

Will do antsmands, but it won't be for a few weeks yet. The fan unit has to be made (I'm "in the queue"!) and then shipped out here. I'll stick a few pics up here when it's done though.

Giovanni

If I want to keep the original shroud, what is the biggest fan that I can fit in the stock location? The opening is 14" plus. I think I am ditching the stock fans for aftermarket ones.

Iwanna928

I am cheap! I bought a fan from a PT Crusier turbo. Electric, 40 bucks. I lived in Fla and now Ga and she works great! Bought a 140amp off ebay and the alt has no problem running everything including a 520w amp.