Anyone removed clutch fan and replaced with electric?

[bcredliner]

I hardly ever get pissed off. You have yet to see me post anything that is close to me pissed off. I do have a penchant to question a statement that isn't based on anything but an uniformed opinion. I have not posted anything that is remarkable. The post you reference was not a declarative statement it was an opinion. I corrected that post so that is very clear.

I have absolutely no problem with challenges with some thought and reasoning. I will ask questions about any I have interest in to draw my own conclusion as to their merit. Thus far I think I have demonstrated considerable patience even though you have wasted 7 pages posting variations of the same lack of merit drivel.

The technical input of increased available horsepower I used for an electric fan value equation is net not gross. As little as the alternator needs to be considered it has been. The discussion with the techs was specific to my application so the clutch fan was considered in the evaluation.

I don't think the fans you grasped onto as comparisons are at all similar. The HP, the working RPMs, the amps they draw are different than an automobile application and have nothing to do with the HP it takes to turn a clutch fan. You might as well use a wind farm as a comparison----IMO of course. I am confident the professionals I have discussed this with have accurately considered all the factors that are valid to arriving at a net benefit of an electric fan and neither of us have anything pertinent to add.

Pontificating? That was merely an objective, considerate comment to be sure I listed any potential downside that I had thought about. I didn't weight the potential the fan will run the battery down if the thermostat kicks it on when the key is off. Neither of us have any idea if it will be a factor or not as it depends on how long that fan runs. It stayed on a few minutes yesterday. It was only 87 degrees, the garage door was open and I had 3 fans running. That could be entirely different when it is 100 degree outside and the garage door is shut.

The reason I have been challenging your point of view is it is permeated with variations of I would think, probably, I don't see, I doubt, I guess, it seems--just to mention those in your most recent post. My position may be flawed but I have spent more time and effort than needed to do the research and talk to experts to have some verification and foundation.

The fuse link is 30 amps. The running amps of the fan is 18. I don't think there is any reason to be concerned about reduced alternator life. I have no idea how I would know if that was the case anyway so even if I should be concerned I am not.

Remember when the suggestion was made to ignore you? I agreed it was the thing to do. Ooopsie. Me going to do that now. Have at it oh Wizard of Oz.

[PropellerHead]

I should add here that my electric fan has been set to run for a few minutes after the ignition is off for over 7 of the 8 years I have used it. No new alternators, no new pulleys. No new cooling components.

Temps range from freezing to over 100 degrees.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I should add here that my electric fan has been set to run for a few minutes after the ignition is off for over 7 of the 8 years I have used it. No new alternators, no new pulleys. No new cooling components.

Temps range from freezing to over 100 degrees.

Thanks for the input

[Helihover]

@ Trader.

For fun, go pull your machanical fan off your 200hp engine. Go drive it around and report back. Maybe it will put a little perspective in your life. Removing the fan on a 200hp engine will net higher gains compared to removing the fan from a 500hp engine.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Again I say:

The only thing that will satisfy the guy is a lab report. We're not going to give that.

It's a trolling exercise at this point. To engage directly is simply to forward the agenda to argue with no purpose or with no hope of gaining ground. It is the Internet of days classic.
-------------
Back to the OP and others looking forward to useful participation.. Please do the work and use this thread to document what you've done and what your experience is. We don't care about dynos and we don't care about raining on your parade. It's your car. Have some fun, take some pictures, and tell us all about it.

I for one cannot wait to hear the real story of your experience rather than the theoretical ramblings of a divinely dissatisfied Google-fueled armchair physics flunkie.

I should have taken your advice way back when. I did remember to provide a follow-up. Feel free to ask any questions about the install that I did not cover and I will be sure to update if I learn something or just to say all is well so you know it is, especially over the next 2-3 weeks.

If anyone decides to do the dirty deed done dirt cheap I will be glad to help any way I can. It is also fine to PM me if you would like to go that route.

As mentioned the install is straightforward but there were several problems that I had to overcome from not having anyones install experience. The reason I bring that up again is I am not sure I covered them adequately in the install summary.

As an example, if you look at the picture of the finished install, notice the wire covering going from the controller to the positive connection. In retrospect, I should have run it under that tube than over it, I think it would be less noticeable and a cleaner install, I will change that.

Another--I could not get the nut on the positive connection to engage the threads because of all the wires that go to that post. I do have other wires that connect there but I suggest that before you crimp any ends on the wires that you put all those that go to that post and be sure the nut will catch the threads. That was one of my oh s#$t times, I had to cut the connectors I used off find a larger connector that would take 3 wires to make it work.

And another, because I expected false starts I cut the wires longer than I needed so if I had to cut them again I could do so (some I cut 3-4 times) and some I ended up needing the extra length. I recommend you do the same as your X5 may be different and have some wiring routing that is breaking new ground. It is also important because there were no extra connectors that came with the fan or the controller I purchased so if you don't have them on hand it will be one of those unplanned trips to the auto parts store.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I should have taken your advice way back when. I did remember to provide a follow-up. Feel free to ask any questions about the install that I did not cover and I will be sure to update if I learn something or just to say all is well so you know it is, especially over the next 2-3 weeks.

I'm dying to hear how it runs outside of the garage!

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I'm dying to hear how it runs outside of the garage!

I will be making a short jaunt today with two stops. I will clock the miles. On Friday, I have an hour drive to make stopping for a couple of hours and then making the return trip. I post the results.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I'm dying to hear how it runs outside of the garage!

You should hear how it runs with the exhaust dumps!!

Brian opened the dumps at cars and coffee on the 6th, NO WAY I would have thought OE BMW exhaust manifolds and dumps could sound so good! Sounds like equal length headers, no burps, hiccups or farts in the sound.

Reminds me of an ALMS Corvette.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

You should hear how it runs with the exhaust dumps!!

Brian opened the dumps at cars and coffee on the 6th, NO WAY I would have thought OE BMW exhaust manifolds and dumps could sound so good! Sounds like equal length headers.

Reminds me of an ALMS Corvette.

Thanks James. I open them at least for a short period every time I go out.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Thanks James. I open them at least for a short period every time I go out.

I would too!!!