ELectric Fans on a Cummins ?
For $600 or so FLex a lite makes a fan kit for the CUmmins 5.9 Anybody using it? is there a noticable MPG gain running empty? Does it work well enough to cool the truck when loaded?
Forum Discussion
hertfordnc wrote:
Notice i did not ask "will it work?"
But seriously, it draws 28 amps at full power so I think the 136 amp alt should be up to the task.
Flexalite says it's good up to around 18K which is less than I plan on pulling with this truck (prbably not more than 14K GCW)
So if anybody has one, and is not afraid to admit it here, i'd love to hear from you.
thanks
28A at 13.8V is 386 watts of power or about 1/2 HP, plus you will need to find out the CFM ratings of the electric fan.
So to really find out if you are saving anything you would need to find out how much HP and CFM the OEM fan on the vehicle will use.
Then there is inefficiencies in multiple conversions of energy.. Alternator has to convert rotational energy into electricity, then that is stored in an inefficient battery. That in turn is transmitted via wire (resistance) to the electric motor which loses some energy as heat in the windings and bearings.
Honestly, you are not going to save any "mileage" changing to an electric fan unless you plan to put the fan on a separate battery which gets charged by a solar panel..
Many racers use electric fans but keep in mind they do not have an alternator on the engine and the battery is sized large enough to run the whole car for the race..
