Ladies/Gents, My '97 (hot wire) Plus 8 electric radiator fan has become rather noisy - I suspect the bearings. Looking to buy a new unit (13") but would like to find a quieter running unit without loosing the cooling efficiency. See a lot of different designs with different cfm throughputs, amps, blade shapes etc., but not sure which would suit best - anyone been through the same search an got a good result? Much appreciated. Kevin
Kevin, Has the fan become more noisy compared to the past? Mine makes a real din when working , it is far louder than the exhausts on tickover.
I seem to remember that current thinking is to use a Spal fan, but I don't have a reference number for the correct one. Here is some information: Click here
Do not skimp on the wiring, the fan can pull 20 amps, and the standard wiring is not man enough for this , so upgrade and make sure you use a good quality relay.
Andy G 1999 +8 , Indigo Blue. Ex-John McKecknie/Mike Duncan 1955 +4 racer.
I have Spal VA08-AP13-53S 1800 CFM at 13 volts. It is a pusher. I purchase a Spal relay temp control fed by a #10 wire and a 20 AMP fuse. It is hard wired not switched. There is an adjustment knob to regulate the temp it turns on. However; when climbing a long steep hill at 70 MPH on a hot day the temp climbs to the boiling point and higher. I must slow down to about 50MPH if I am going to keep going. This happens to the +8 Bitsa very rarely but it does happen. I sometime think that this fans acts as a blocker at 70 MPH.
Pusher vs Puller Spal electric fan. I installed a Pusher Fan because it is easy to do. A Puller is probably more efficient way to go. I have attached a file. This is an idea of another that I have used on My DHC. So far so good
Button and MOG 615, Thanks indeed for the prompt advice - as mentioned by MOG 615, the current unit has always made a decent whirrrr sound, but recently accompanied by a slight rattle (more evident when I switch-off). The current unit is a pull unit and although it comes on at circa 80C and stays there (even in mild whether), it seems to do a decent job as it rarely goes above 90C and, aside from the din has been good. The unit is manufactured by Kenlowe Group. The previous owner seems to have had a lot done with wiring and it has a decent size relay with a 20amp fuse. Nonetheless the wiring shows things can get pretty hot - need to do some work there too. Hmmmm Kevin
Gents Been doing some more digging...Unit is a Kenlowe KLM 1708 12 Volt - so I guess I'm looking for something of similar capacity but quieter.... Thanks again. Kevin
