Electric engine fan - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alabbasi · #1 01-24-2011, 10:07 AM

Has anyone experimented with an electric cooling fan? I'm thinking of replacing the mechanical one in my 500SL with an electric one. I think I should be able to squeeze a 16" fan through the fan shroud and i've seen 3000CFM version for sale on eBay for under $100.

If anyone has had any experience with them, I'd live to get input on how well it cools and how reliable they are. I'm in Dallas TX so it's important that they can keep up with 105+ degree heat in the summer.

Walrus · #2 01-24-2011, 02:37 PM

Al,

Have you followed the thread on benzworld.org?
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1444145-installed-electric-fan.html

GaryF · #3 01-24-2011, 02:47 PM

I fitted a two speed 16" fan to my 450 but it didn't fit inside the existing shroud. It's possible the shroud is a different shape on the 500 and you might be ok, with local temperatures here it rarely runs at its high speed so can't say how it will perform for you.
I definitely noticed an increase in power and reduction in noise and hopefully the repeated slight increase in temp before the fan switches on doesn't do any long term harm compare to the mechanical fan.

alabbasi · #4 01-24-2011, 03:07 PM

Guys,

Thanks, I have read the thread on BW as part of my search. It seems to be the only one that discusses it. I need to speak to Mike D as I think he did a conversion on his W114. I also have a buddy who installed a 2350CFM fan to his 500SL but it did not cut the mustard in the Texas heat. All this was found out after posting this topic.

I'm trying to get more opinions before I start spending money.

Mike D · #5 01-24-2011, 04:40 PM

I run them on two of my W114's. A '73 280 and a '72 250C. I wasn't able to fit one on my '74 280C because the body change in '74 left it very close to the pulley. I'm not running it on my '85 W126 (500 SEL).

In very heavy stop and go summertime traffic on the 280 it tends to get warmish. The 250C has no problem. The A/C doesn't seem to like the amount of flow at an idle but it could also be the ancient A/C unit.

I don't think I'd go with just an electric fan on the SL. SL's are pretty darned notorious for being hot boxes. You could probably go with a flex fan and install an electric as a pusher in place of the existing fan.

alabbasi · #6 01-24-2011, 04:44 PM

Thanks Mike, My concern is because this car gets hot but a pusher fan may be the way to go.

Genbiltstein · #7 01-24-2011, 05:49 PM

You can wire them up to push or pull. Depending on how you might want to go about it.
Alabassi: Do you still need that fuel line?

alabbasi · #8 01-24-2011, 08:00 PM

Thanks, If I can upgrade my aux fan that may work. Thanks for the follow up on the fuel line. I found one in a junk yard and got myself going again.

LandYaghtLover · #9 01-24-2011, 08:03 PM

I thought of replacing the main fan with a Ford unit since it seems there is plenty of room and the 4.6L Mark VIII fan is incredibly high volume.

But I think I would miss the massive engine woosh sound the viscus fan makes. That was something I missed with my older cars when I went new. The Benz brought it back and I love it.

alabbasi · #10 01-24-2011, 10:44 PM

I did see this which looks like a serious fan. I have a fan shroud somewhere that I need to double check to see if it fits.

http://www.amazon.com/Zirgo-ZFU16S-Electric-Cooling-Fans/dp/B000PG39L6/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1295927023&sr=1-1

Gurunutkins · #11 01-24-2011, 11:55 PM

read this thread too

Electric fans & radiators

scia63 · #12 02-09-2011, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Has anyone experimented with an electric cooling fan? I'm thinking of replacing the mechanical one in my 500SL with an electric one. I think I should be able to squeeze a 16" fan through the fan shroud and i've seen 3000CFM version for sale on eBay for under $100.

If anyone has had any experience with them, I'd live to get input on how well it cools and how reliable they are. I'm in Dallas TX so it's important that they can keep up with 105+ degree heat in the summer.

Al: I say, Don't do it.
Save yourself the effort, and cost, stay with original set up:the OEM shroud, a good mechanical fan with clutch.

Instead, try adding a bigger pusher fan in front or install a thermostat that you can control the ancillary fan to turn on to try to move more air through the radiator when needed.

The mechanical fan is more efficient than installing an electric fan. I found that a 3500 cfm fan did not do the same cooling job as the mechanical fan.

I did installed a ford Tarus Fan in my '72 450SL. The Tarus fan moves a lot of air Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). This Tarus fan has 2 speeds 2500cfm and 3500cfm with 2 amp draws. Low speed at 20amps, high speed at 40 amps. After market fans do not provide enough cooling CFM.

I made a shroud to accommodate the fan and to the radiator, bought an 80 amp alternator, installed 40 amp fuse with thermostat, and wiring. Cooling was only marginal at the high speed, put a constant drain of about 40 amps on the alternator.

I took temperature readings and found that the OEM mechanical fan setup does more cooling. And you electrical system was not constantly being tasked by the large power drain.

If you still want to try, I got pictures and wring diagram.

seamaster4040 · #13 02-27-2011, 03:08 PM

Hi I had a kenlowe (uk Brand - old established company)fan and Thermostatic controller fitted to my 500sl whilst it was being restored the garage ditched the shroud, it works fine it although I do not have to put up with your heat (sighhhh).

suginami · #14 02-27-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Thanks, If I can upgrade my aux fan that may work. Thanks for the follow up on the fuel line. I found one in a junk yard and got myself going again.

I upgraded the aux electric fan on my 280SE 4.5, and it made a world of difference.

The original fan was 12", and pushed so little air through the condensor, that I could barely feel any air making it through the radiator.

The replacement fan is a 14" Hayden fan, and it blows so hard, that you can feel what feels like a gail force wind coming through the condensor and the radiator.

I also had a manual off/on switch installed underneath the dash for more control.

alabbasi · #15 02-27-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

I upgraded the aux electric fan on my 280SE 4.5, and it made a world of difference.

The original fan was 12", and pushed so little air through the condensor, that I could barely feel any air making it through the radiator.

The replacement fan is a 14" Hayden fan, and it blows so hard, that you can feel what feels like a gail force wind coming through the condensor and the radiator.

I also had a manual off/on switch installed underneath the dash for more control.

I'm thinking of doing exactly this now with my 500SL and my 6.9. The 6.9 rides nice and cool at speeds but gets really hot in traffic so it needs the extra help.