Radiator Fans - Commerjules??

chasbaps

chasbaps

0
Hi Jules,

was just looking through your thread in readers rides, and noticed the fan you had put on. I had a couple of questions, and didn't want to hijack your van thread, plus I thought other people might be interested, so this seemed like the best place to ask them...

So, I am looking to liberate a few extra horses from Frodo's engine, and the fan looks like an excellent way to start. Did you just remove the old fan, and put the electric fan in its place?

Also, the 14" one you sell, any idea what the power consumption is on it (wiring is another thing on my to do list, as at the moment, the battery drains whenever the lights are on!!!)

And finally, you fitted a thermostat, and I understand the reasons why, but is there any reason why you could not just have the fan running whenever the engine is - or will the massive improvement in fan technology risk freezing your radiator, even on summers days ;) ?

Thanks,

Charlie
 
Got the K&N already, but haven't had the chance to really try it our yet, especially as Frodo's diff hasn't been fixed yet, and still scream once you get past walking speed. I was thinking that the air filter, a fan and a P5 rear axle might make a good combination....
 
the fan will barely give 1-2 bhp, dont get me wrong its worth doing if you can get better cooling and THATS what gives more power :p
fans that suck are better. you can wire it any way you want. thermostatic switch means it sorts itself out. i wire them on a mannual switch, but you have to remember to use it [:0].be careful as some leccy fans shift less air than the original [xx(]
a straight through exhaust will lower the engine temp and give double the power a leccy fan will, try this first.
p5 axle is good but its a big jump in diff ratio and will need alot of torque to pull it, you might end up overgeared. what about fitting an overdrive box [?]


"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
This reminded about a question I've been meaning to post for a while.

I've noticed on a couple of rebuild pics on this forum that there appears to be a 'cowl' on the radiator surrounding the mechanical fan. Our van only has a small curved section at the top of the rad -although there are bolt holes on it which look like where a cowl could be attached.

Can anybody post a full pic of their radiator 'cowl' for reference ?

(Does any of this even make sense ? Our van is still in store so I can't post a pic of ours)

From what I've seen the cowl looks like a fairly simply pressing and might be easy to replicate from sheet. Such cowls can improve effeciency of airflow through the radiator, particularly at low speeds when there is less air being forced through the radiator. Come to think of it, I don't think the Commer design even allows for forced air even at the heady speeds of 60mph ;)
 
P8150052.jpg

Hope this helps :D
 
Hi
Electric fan will liberate power both by running cooler, and also by meaning the engine is not driving the fan. Good usually for 2 - 4 BHP
Consumption of 14" fan is 10.5. Other details here :
http://shop1.actinicexpress.co.uk/shops/Rat_Sport/index.php?cat=Electric_Cooling_Fans&ActinicSID=5b161a6eb8bffd39a2a06a71c5cc9da5
The fan (just like a modern car) should not run all the time - should cut in and out depending on what temperature you set it at. It shouldnt run at all at speeds of over 30 or 40 mph as there is enough air flow then to cool the rad.
Fans work better as suckers, and there is plenty of space in the commer to fit the fan as a sucker rather than blower.
Hope this helps

Cheers
Jules

RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
 
Thanks Macker, that's what I was referring to - is your cowl all one piece ie. how does it fit under the fan ?

Nice to see an LPG conversion with K&N type filter - are you running an RC40 exhaust too ? Seriously thinking of this setup myself.

Cheers

ps. nice red seats too [8D]
 
quote:
Originally posted by commeracer

the fan will barely give 1-2 bhp, dont get me wrong its worth doing if you can get better cooling and THATS what gives more power.
...
what about fitting an overdrive box [?]



The extra cooling is a good start as Frodo always runs just in the red!

The diff is borked, so a P5 axle would kill two birds with one stone - If I can find one....
 
P4190017.jpg


Paul I am not runing with the RC40 exhaust. The silencer that I fitted is straight through and not restricted like the original Commer one. I just cut it and moved it over to the gearbox when I fitted the LPG gas tank.
 
Cheers Admin !!! Would love to take the Commer cowl for our van, let me know how much etc - do you still have my mobile no ?

Another great pic from you Macker - perfect timing too, bought a 60L LPG tank locally last night for £22 (in date too) and hope to get us all rigged up and running well ready for our big trip from Norfolk to Glastonbury in June - it should almost pay for itself in just this trip alone !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top