Wiring up volvo fan questions

[Gmoney]

So I bought the volvo fan a while back and wired it up to a manual switch and I'm pretty sure a 40 amp relay. I have a 105 amp alternator and a few months later I melted one of the wires off the back of the alternator. So I replaced it and things went good until the other day, I was driving it and it shut off then came back on then off again and I have no power to anything. i determined that I melted the same wire again and it arched against the alternator and thats why I have no power.

Do I need a higher amp alternator to run this fan, and what can I do so that the truck doesn't die when the fan kicks on? Any other ideas of wiring this thing?

Thanks

 

[bizkit]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Sounds like you need to run a 10ga wire right from your positive battery post to your relay, and then on to your fan and use a 10ga wire for the fan ground also. Don't forget a fuse as close to the battery as possible. I use a Maxi 30A fuse on my volvo fan.

Upsizing your grounds from your battery negative to your frame and from battery negative to your engine block is one of the first things I do to any vehicle. Run at least 4 gauge wire for those grounds.
Use the same size wire from you battery positive to the back of your alternator. Also whenever I crimp a connector onto a wire 10ga or bigger on my stuff I solder the connector to the wire after I crimp it.

Do that and you'll never have to worry about it again except maybe if the relay wears out. A 105A alternator is more than enough unless you also have a serious stereo system. If your truck dies when it's idling and the fan kicks on, first thing I suggest is to raise your idle just a touch.

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Trigger the fan off of your IC pump with a 40a relay.
Then fuse the fan from the battery with a 40a fuse and 10ga wire.
Mine has been up and running like this for quite awhile now no problems.
I did start with a 30a relay and replaced that but all other wiring is fine.

 

[socalblue]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

For these Volvo fans, my friend was telling me that LS1 motors I think he said has OEM e-fan switches which are simple to install that turn on at 200 and shut off at 180 or something similar don't remember exactly....is anyone running these?

 

[Gmoney]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Cool, I guess I needed to know what size wire I should be running and if I need a higher amp alternator.

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Cool, I guess I needed to know what size wire I should be running and if I need a higher amp alternator.

as mentioned earlier... 10GA for anything that powers the fan with a 40A fuse. The fan draws about 32-35 amps at start-up but a bit less during opperation. The relay trigger can be smaller like 14GA. Also, I still have stock alternator.

 

[Gmoney]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Ok, that helps. Thanks

 

[Gmoney]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

So I replaced that wire that was burned and arched against the alternator..see pic

What are those two wires for?

I went and hooked the battery back up and the small wire that runs along side the positive battery cable, from the battery, around the back of the motor and hooks up to the back of the alternator melted all the insulation off and burned up. WTF?? Advanced Auto says the alternator is still good, do I just need to up the guage of all the wires that supply the fan and upgrade the alternator? Is that why that wire melted when I hooked the battery back up?

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Not sure what you have going on with the wire to alternator, the fan shouldn't have anything to do with it unless you are using it for the voltage source or connected the fan backward... I really don't know.

Here is how I have mine connected and I have never had an issue. I used the IC pump wire to trigger the relay to complete the connection from the battery to the fan. Look over the diagram I made and hopefully you'll be able to figure it out.

ps...if anyone sees a problem with the way I have my fan wired, feel free to chime in.

 

[Gmoney]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Ya that whole wire on the back of the alternator thing is a little screwy..lol

Hmmm, ok I have my IC pump wired to run whenever the key is on, and as far as triggering the pump, its hooked up to a manual switch inside the cab.

Maybe i'll just redo everything based off what you sent..

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Went a2a and used the ic pump wiring to tap into and run the fan.. So I have my volvo fan wired up exactly like the diagram posted above.. except I have a toggle switch ran to the ic pump relay to ground it when I want the fan on prematurely if ever. Haven't had any issues yet (knock on wood)

Don't have a clue what the two wires could be behind your alt

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

The other option is to use a quality fan controller and do away with all the burned up wiring and alternator issues that these fans can cause. That's what I did on my last project. Relays might work short term, but the alternators don't last all that long when getting spiked with up to 90 amp draws from the fan on start up. The correct relays to use must be ordered and are going to cost almost as much as a quality fan controller.

www.dccontrol.com in case you want to know more about a controller. I used the FK35.

Just my .02 There are several ways to skin a cat.

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

I also have the manual switch but didn't see it necessary to throw that in there.

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

The DCcontrol is an awesome kit and I was heading in that direction. I just couldn't justify the cost considering other mods I needed to do. A simple relay and spool of wire is working just fine and I can control it in TunerPro with the IC settings. Once I go A2A I won't need the IC pump at all and it'll be dediated tot he fan.

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

What relay did you guys use and where do I get one?
Im about to do the Volvo fan kit I think... I just want to know how to do it first.

Thanks.

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Any 40amp relay will work... you can get by with a 30 for awhile but you will have to replace it eventually. THe 30's are usually in stock most auto parts stores, the 40's will probably have to be ordered. I got mine from O'Reilys.

 

[Gmoney]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Just ordered all the parts to re-wire this thing and a new 160 amp alternator from motorcityreman.com, I'll keep you posted on the progress...thanks again

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

I just got the Volvo fan, kit, 40 amp relay, 10 gauge wire in black and red, 14 gauge wire.... now Im just missing the fuse. Sure isnt easy to find the fuse and holder.

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

I just got the Volvo fan, kit, 40 amp relay, 10 gauge wire in black and red, 14 gauge wire.... now Im just missing the fuse. Sure isnt easy to find the fuse and holder.

Go to your local stereo installation shop. They should have cheap inline fuse holders w/40a fuse. I'm sure they have the fancy ones as well but the inline ones work great. Let me know if you can't get one, I have a couple extra here but they were $7 ea. I'm sure you might find them a little cheaper so shop around first.

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: Wiring up volvo fan questions

Thanks.
Next question. Where did you put the switch? Boostedpimp said on the relay's ground. I figure right on the trigger source/IC pump. Sounds like less wiring on the ground but I dont see a ground in that diagram.
Or maybe Im just retarded?