Electric fans for A/C

[TheBMan]

After installing the A/C in my car, I wanted to address the issue poor A/C performance at idle because of low airflow across the condenser. Modern cars have electric fans to facilitate airflow whenever the A/C is on, which makes all the difference. Old cars like ours had mediocre A/C systems to begin with and generally did not work well when moving slowly and/or at idle.

I really debated about doing this because you guys know I'm a fan of originality but I think it turned out well and it made a huge difference. The fans are 10" SPAL rated at 800CFM each. I chose these because they were the largest I could fit in the space available. Also, the s-shaped blades make the fans relatively quiet. There are higher CFM fans, but they are straight-blade and they are much louder. I used a Davies Craig digital thermatic fan switch kit with dual relays and adjustable temperature setting for the fan(s) on/off temp. I tucked the unit into the front fender beside the battery.

It was easy to wire up. It triggers the fans based on coolant temperature and it has a wire that connects to the compressor circuit to trigger the fans whenever the A/C compressor engages. Both work well.

Overall I'm happy. I wanted to share with everyone in case you you have considered this or have issues with poor A/C performance at idle. Bonus: as pusher fans, the fans act of a bit of a boost to the clutch fan as well. 👍

 

[TheBMan]

Update: First real-world test yesterday. It was 87° and my car sat in the sun all day at a car show. When it was time to leave, I rolled the windows up, turned the air conditioning on and the air from the vents dropped to 37° relatively quickly. That is due to the fans pushing air across the condenser. 👍

[VIG1970]

@TheBman thanks for sharing , I’m in the process of adding AC and would like to add the dual electric fans, can you tell me how you mounted the fans to the condenser? Also since those are pushers , did you get rid of shroud and clutch fan set up or did you leave that as is functioning? 
 

thanks in advance for you help 

Mike 

Edited October 13, 2024 by VIG1970

[Dtret]

8 hours ago, VIG1970 said:

@TheBman thanks for sharing , I’m in the process of adding AC and would like to add the dual electric fans, can you tell me how you mounted the fans to the condenser? Also since those are pushers , did you get rid of shroud and clutch fan set up or did you leave that as is functioning? 
 

thanks in advance for you help 

Mike 

Welcome Mike, I see this as your first post. Post up in the new member section and tell us a little about you and your car. We love pictures too.