Anyone removed clutch fan and replaced with electric?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by trader4

The problem is the explanations turn out to be "it's different",
"the engine is powering the car too", "it's parasitic." None of those
explain anything as to why that small fan would need an
extraordinary amount of power compared to similar fans.
And note you don't want to address the fact
that with a car moving, air is being rammed into that fan,
greatly reducing the power required to move it. Think about
a windmill.

I've looked for good test data and there is almost nothing. Which in
itself is a curious thing. Because if I were selling electric fans and
trying to convince people to buy them to save 10hp, I'd have some
actual lab verified test data to prove that it does that.

Okay, I'll try one more time. The "10hp" (is that hypothetical?) you are gaining is with the electric fan off vs. the mechanical fan being driven all the time to some degree. With the electric fan on the hp gain will be less than 10hp. Probably around half. I'll address your point about the car moving now... your engine fan is not ever being "rammed" with air. Your aux fan is since it's is in front of the condenser and the radiator... but your engine fan is most definitely not. Your engine fan doesn't care whether you are on the highway or sitting in idle... your belt will keep driving it at whatever speed the condition of the fan clutch dictates.

The main benefits of switching to electric are the increased durability of all components involved. IE: removal of fan clutch, less stress on water pump bearing/snout, and better control of temps depending on how/when you trigger your fan. A small increase in HP and MPG are a nice side benefit of the swap.

I hope that helps. If not... well... as I suggested, find someone who can explain in a satisfactory manner.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by trader4

10 hp hypothetical?...

I was just going off your 10hp example. And like I said... "probably around half." Not HALF exactly. I can't give you EXACT figures.

As for durability... you may be on your original fan and clutch, but are you on your original water pump? My Volvo E-fan retrofit on my m42 has lasted 6 years... and I am still on the same water pump so far (knock on wood). Another benefit is that in the event of a failed belt you definitely slow the speed with which your engine temp rises.

You know what... it's not worth it. I'm out. If you don't think that electric parts are beneficial in this particular use case... there is nothing we can say. I mean BMW (and most other manufacturers) should fire ALL their engineers since they keep designing electric fans (and electric water pumps and electric power steering pumps) for almost all current models. They free up HP and MPG... by not being on all the time. A completely off E-fan is always going to be more efficient than even the most amount of slip on a fan clutch.

If you want to stay with a mechanical fan... that's fine. It is a perfectly good cooling solution obviously and as you stated. But why you are in here debating against the benefits of switching to electric I just don't understand.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I was giving Trader a hard time. Joking.

Hah... just realized that went right over my head when I responded to your comment a few pages back. That's what I get for posting in the morning when the little one first wakes up... my focus is not entirely "focused."

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I was just going off your 10hp example. And like I said... "probably around half." Not HALF exactly. I can't give you EXACT figures.

As for durability... you may be on your original fan and clutch, but are you on your original water pump? My Volvo E-fan retrofit on my m42 has lasted 6 years... and I am still on the same water pump so far (knock on wood). Another benefit is that in the event of a failed belt you definitely slow the speed with which your engine temp rises.

You know what... it's not worth it. I'm out. If you don't think that electric parts are beneficial in this particular use case... there is nothing we can say. I mean BMW (and most other manufacturers) should fire ALL their engineers since they keep designing electric fans (and electric water pumps and electric power steering pumps) for almost all current models. They free up HP and MPG... by not being on all the time. A completely off E-fan is always going to be more efficient than even the most amount of slip on a fan clutch.

If you want to stay with a mechanical fan... that's fine. It is a perfectly good cooling solution obviously and as you stated. But why you are in here debating against the benefits of switching to electric I just don't understand.

"in my view" "as I see it"----Give it up. Concede. Hopefully we never understand.

For PERTINENT information about the performance benefits of an electric fan see post 163.