Benefits of a fan controller?

[rob07002]

Why use a fan controller over a regular relay and adjustable temp switch?

[chuckd71]

Because a relay just flips your fans on full blast and a pwm controller starts them slow and ramps up as needed. I have each fan controlled by a separate PWM, one of which is adjustable and has a load indicator in the cabin, and never get that hard voltage drop when they start.

[parsonsj]

The best reason is that you usually don't need full fan speed. A good pwm-based controller will run them just as fast as needed so your temps stay on an even keel, plus you won't be the "loud fan guy" with your fans running at full speed at stop lights.

[chuckd71]

plus you won't be the "loud fan guy" with your fans running at full speed at stop lights.

This is also true. Exhaust noise = good. Two fans going nuts when it's 75 degrees out because all you have is on or off = terrible.

[DT69Cam]

Not to hijack this thread, but is the Entropy fan controller any good ?? I also was interested in a fan controller. Thx

[GoodysGotaCuda]

It's also easier to incorporate an a/c signal to the controller to kick up the fan speed.

I wouldn't mind a fan controller, but I flet that adding another not "off the shelf" part to my car just reduces my overall reliability. I can have a spare relay on-hand, swap it in seconds and go down the road. By-passing a fan controller is do-able, but a bit more cumbersome..

[dhutton]

Not to hijack this thread, but is the Entropy fan controller any good ?? I also was interested in a fan controller. Thx

I have used several of the Entropy dual speed controllers with good results. Not as great as pwm control but the low speed helps keep the noise down. Nice heavy gauge wire harness included.

Don

[DT69Cam]

Who sells pwm controllers??

[parsonsj]

I've used C6 fan controllers with success. Derale and Spal both have aftermarket offerings as well. I'm sure there's more...

[DT69Cam]

I've used C6 fan controllers with success. Derale and Spal both have aftermarket offerings as well. I'm sure there's more...

Thank you. I was looking at the Derale one. Not all good reviews though. Hmmm.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I've used C6 fan controllers with success. Derale and Spal both have aftermarket offerings as well. I'm sure there's more...

What's needed for the C6 controller? I assume you feed it a specific duty cycle/frequency, do you know those requirements?

[BonzoHansen]

Dcc, mine has been flawless for years

Delta current control

[dhutton]

What's needed for the C6 controller? I assume you feed it a specific duty cycle/frequency, do you know those requirements?

The controller likely generates the necessary frequency and duty cycle. Inputs would be coolant temperature and target temperature but it’s not obvious how that information is passed to the controller from the ECM. The controller is not stand alone, it works together with the ECM. My understanding is the Connect and Cruise ECM’s lack the necessary software interface to work with the fan controller. John Parsons and others have worked through this. There is a thread here somewhere.

Don

[Samckitt]

The controller likely generates the necessary frequency and duty cycle. Inputs would be coolant temperature and target temperature but it’s not obvious how that information is passed to the controller from the ECM. The controller is not stand alone, it works together with the ECM. My understanding is the Connect and Cruise ECM’s lack the necessary software interface to work with the fan controller. John Parsons and others have worked through this. There is a thread here somewhere.

Don

Don

http://lateral-g.net/forums/showthre...&highlight=pwm

I added it to my GMPP LS3 controller harness. Don't know about the connect -n- cruise, if it is the same.

[dhutton]

http://lateral-g.net/forums/showthre...&highlight=pwm

I added it to my GMPP LS3 controller harness. Don't know about the connect -n- cruise, if it is the same.

If I understood it right the software to drive the PWM controller is not in the GMPP ECM.

Don

[GoodysGotaCuda]

The controller likely generates the necessary frequency and duty cycle. Inputs would be coolant temperature and target temperature but it’s not obvious how that information is passed to the controller from the ECM. The controller is not stand alone, it works together with the ECM. My understanding is the Connect and Cruise ECM’s lack the necessary software interface to work with the fan controller. John Parsons and others have worked through this. There is a thread here somewhere.

Don

That's what I am looking for, the frequency and duty cycle, my Megasquirt can handle that based on my inputs, I am not looking for it to be a standalone

I have successfully ran a Ford FPDM (fuel pump module) off a simple Arduino circuit. That could be used to drive a fan, but I would need multiples as they only handle about 20-30amps.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7-KgCiqUbQ

You can see here that I am controlling a simple light using the FPDM to dim it, just like you would control a fuel pump, fan, etc. I know the wires are a hot mess in the video, it was simply setup as a proof of concept. I ran a small 10" fan off of it using a rheostat to control the speed via pwm.

The trick to the FPDM is knowing the duty cycle [which is halved, 50% to the FPDM means demand = 100%] and a specific frequency. If I knew what the C6 fan module wanted, I can replicate that with OEM reliability....

[DT69Cam]

Dcc, mine has been flawless for years

Delta current control

Can I connect the Delta controller to my GMPP harness ?? I have 1 blue wire labeled "fans". Thank you.

[dhutton]

Not sure what that would accomplish. The DCC controller is standalone. No need to connect it to your ECM.

Don

[BonzoHansen]

^^^what he said. Its a stand alone pwm controller.

[sccacuda]

That's what I am looking for, the frequency and duty cycle, my Megasquirt can handle that based on my inputs, I am not looking for it to be a standalone

Have you looked at the RaceGrade SSD's? SSD3 or P can be controlled by your MS ECU and have OEM reliability.