Fan Wiring

[meadowbrook]

Hi guys.

I finished wiring the new 160 watt 6v cooling fan in my 50 Dodge.

I wired it as follows, the hot lead for the fan comes directly from the  battery through 10 gauge fused wire to a relay and then completes the circuit to the fan. The ground goes directly to the battery.

The thermostat is what closes the relay. 

I also added a manual switch that also can close the relay but it's hot source is the switched ignition.

So basically, the fan remains on after you shut off the engine until the temp drops. Which may help with any heAt soak. 

My question: I would like to see the fan current draw through the ammeter, do I lose much if I route the fan's hot wire all the way from the ammeter to the fan instead?

[DonaldSmith]

10 gauge wire should do the job. 

I have my 6 volt fan and inverter controlled by a relay triggered by the Acc/Ign switch.  So my fan stops running and the inverter is off when I shut off the engine.  I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have the fan run on, but the inverter has to be off or the battery will run down.  (I left the Acc switch on once, so I know.) 

I have the power coming directly from the battery, but I could run it through the ammeter.  I have 10 gauge wire powering the ammeter.  

The fan is controlled by another relay, triggered by a manual On switch and by a coolant sensor.

[greg g]

You should be able to get a reading on the amp gauge when the engine is running and the fan is on. The fan draw should be indicated by a move of the needle to the positive side when the fan kicks on.  I have my brake lights wire similar to your fan.  When I step on the brakes, the amp gauge shows a positive charge of about 5 to 7 amps as thsystem calls for covering the load. It will drop down to + 2 or so at idle with just the engine running.