New fan or fan speed controller?

[Blitzboy54]

It's amazing how when you solve one problem you walk face first into the next one. Lol

Now that my engine is running I discovered that the Gen 2 apparently turns the fan on at engine temp and never really turns it off. So I of course researched it on the forum and it looks like a well known issue.

I made a point in my build thread that I didn't mind the loud FFR fan but I guess that was before I realized it never really shut off. So, now what to do. I seem a lot of folks install the Maradyne fans speed controller. The down side to this is 95% of the car is wired loomed and tucked away. I would also need to drain it and put a sensor inline.

The flex a light seems to be the fan of choice. Can someone quantify for me how much less loud the flex a light is? The fan replacement is the easier route to take but if it's only a few decibels quieter than perhaps I take the plunge and install the controller.

Any and all input is appreciated.

Thanks

[PNWTim]

Jesse - I can't speak to the Maradyne unit but if you use a brushless motor in your fan (which I think the Flex a lite is) you can use this unit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294116316498

I used this in my last build to control dual Spal fans and it is awesome. It uses radiator temps to turn your fan(s) on as needed, at the speed needed. No more on/off, all or nothing. Very simple to install and relatively small. Derale and Dakota Digital also make them. The unit I listed here is pretty popular with the Pro touring crowd.

[DW66]

Jesse,
I have a Gen 1 Coyote and once the fan came on it never really shut off even on the highway. I installed the Maradyne controller and now my fan rarely runs and when it does its usually at 1/2 speed. 1/2 speed with the FFR fan is very quiet. I do have A/C. I have it wired to come on at full speed when A/C is on. I highly recommended the controller. Happy to see you got your car running.

Dave

[nuhale]

I would put the maradyne system in. I bought this one off of EBay which seems to be different than the one I put in my gen2 coyote roadster but same part number. Don't know if its a knock off or a redesign. I had it wired to the ECU initially and believe it or not the fan is annoyingly loud and never shuts off. With this system you not only get the benefit of fan when needed but it is a 2 speed controller as well so it will run at a low.

DM me if you need any direct help and I'll jump on a call with you. Wiring wasn't too difficult as I recall pulling unused line off the RF harness ign block and direct line to bus bar as the unit is self-fused 40amp. This gives a 60 second run off after key is off to cool radiator. Maybe unnecessary but...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176122844320

[Blitzboy54]

I would put the maradyne system in. I bought this one off of EBay which seems to be different than the one I put in my gen2 coyote roadster but same part number. Don't know if its a knock off or a redesign. I had it wired to the ECU initially and believe it or not the fan is annoyingly loud and never shuts off. With this system you not only get the benefit of fan when needed but it is a 2 speed controller as well so it will run at a low.

DM me if you need any direct help and I'll jump on a call with you. Wiring wasn't too difficult as I recall pulling unused line off the RF harness ign block and direct line to bus bar as the unit is self-fused 40amp. This gives a 60 second run off after key is off to cool radiator. Maybe unnecessary but...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176122844320

I think that is a single speed temp controller. In other words to can set what temp it kicks on but it looks to be single speed. It will go on less but always be full on. Let me know after you've tested it. I am curious.

I am looking for a setup PWM setup with an external sensor.

[OB6]

The GM ECU for my LS3 does this too, apparently to prevent the fan from cycling on and off at idle. That makes sense, but it seems lazy and I'd think it could be adjusted via tune (maybe you can do this with the Ford ECU?).

It doesn't bother me because my fans are whisper-quiet and I have a 170 amp alternator.

[lewma]

The GM ECU for my LS3 does this too, apparently to prevent the fan from cycling on and off at idle. That makes sense, but it seems lazy and I'd think it could be adjusted via tune (maybe you can do this with the Ford ECU?).

It doesn't bother me because my fans are whisper-quiet and I have a 170 amp alternator.

If you hook up your VSS signal from the transmission to your ECU, the fans will turn off once the vehicle is moving. I had the same issue with my LS

[lewma]

I think that is a single speed temp controller. In other words to can set what temp it kicks on but it looks to be single speed. It will go on less but always be full on. Let me know after you've tested it. I am curious.

I am looking for a setup PWM setup with an external sensor.

Because I like to make things difficult for myself, I used an Arduino microcontroller board with a CAN interface, along with a normally closed relay. The relay is inline to the fan ground. The Arduino reads the ECT temperature from the CAN bus and holds the relay open until the ECT is above 195F ( regardless of what the Ford ECU says ). Works well. Fans come on when stationary but generally shut off again because the coyote seems to cruise at 180F

mark

[nuhale]

The MFA 136 is a PWM setup. I'll confirm once I have installed but will be a few weeks. All packaging and instructions look to be Maradyne brand but again I installed this a few years ago and it was a different package design that this one. Wondering if a product change. I patched in an internal sensor already off the lower radiator hose in prep for this.

[OB6]

If you hook up your VSS signal from the transmission to your ECU, the fans will turn off once the vehicle is moving. I had the same issue with my LS

Ok, that's great to know, thanks. I had an issue with exhaust popping and driveability, and connecting the VSS to the ECU completely resolved that. So it looks like I killed two birds!!

Sorry Jesse - didn't mean to derail the thread.

[Just 1 More]

Jesse - I can't speak to the Maradyne unit but if you use a brushless motor in your fan (which I think the Flex a lite is) you can use this unit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294116316498

I used this in my last build to control dual Spal fans and it is awesome. It uses radiator temps to turn your fan(s) on as needed, at the speed needed. No more on/off, all or nothing. Very simple to install and relatively small. Derale and Dakota Digital also make them. The unit I listed here is pretty popular with the Pro touring crowd.

Brushless? I'm using that unit on my 33 but with a Spal brushed fan. I did not think that unit would work for a brushless fan. This is the Spal i'm using https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SPU-IX-30102049

[Blitzboy54]

I've decided to go with this unit. Super simple and around the car community these have a sterling reputation. Just a few wires, small controller, external probe. There is at least one forum member that has used it with great results.

http://www.dccontrol.com/constant_temperature_controllers.htm

[PNWTim]

Brushless? I'm using that unit on my 33 but with a Spal brushed fan. I did not think that unit would work for a brushless fan. This is the Spal i'm using https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SPU-IX-30102049

Frank, you are correct. Fans in particular require a DC controller if they are brushless (at least that's what Don tells me). Curious if the Spal fan you purchased was a bolt in on your '33?

[kevin j sullivan]

I ordered a custom fan from Griffin based on my radiator dimensions. Super quiet. Wired it manually to an on/off switch under my dash.

[Just 1 More]

Frank, you are correct. Fans in particular require a DC controller if they are brushless (at least that's what Don tells me). Curious if the Spal fan you purchased was a bolt in on your '33?

Yes it was, direct bolt in on the shroud everyone uses on the 33

[PNWTim]

Yes it was, direct bolt in on the shroud everyone uses on the 33

I just confirmed the fan that came with my kit is manufactured by Faz and has a sticker identifying it as a M168K-F which when I type into Google gives this Maradyne unit on Summit (all except for the F designation which I am going to assume stands for "fan"):

http://https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mar-m162k

[Blitzboy54]

I just confirmed the fan that came with my kit is manufactured by Faz and has a sticker identifying it as a M168K-F which when I type into Google gives this Maradyne unit on Summit (all except for the F designation which I am going to assume stands for "fan"):

http://https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mar-m162k

Same fan with the roadsters. Does that mean is brushless or no?

[PNWTim]

Same fan with the roadsters. Does that mean is brushless or no?

It is brushed as shown in the description, which is what we want. So should be good to go. I apologize for the initial confusion in my typo above.

[Nigel Allen]

Because I like to make things difficult for myself, I used an Arduino microcontroller board with a CAN interface, along with a normally closed relay. The relay is inline to the fan ground. The Arduino reads the ECT temperature from the CAN bus and holds the relay open until the ECT is above 195F ( regardless of what the Ford ECU says ). Works well. Fans come on when stationary but generally shut off again because the coyote seems to cruise at 180F

mark

That is really cool. PM sent.

[Lidodrip]

Another option to the Maradyne controller is one from the AutoCoolGuy - mine has been working great and I like that there are several levels of fan speeds as opposed to the 2 levels with the Maradyne unit. Here is a link to my experience with the Maradyne unit and the replacement with the AutoCoolGuy.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?42921-Alternative-to-Maradyne-Fan-Controler-AutoCool

James

[Nigel Allen]

That is really cool. PM sent.

G'day Lewma,

Just wondering if you got my PM on your Arduino solution?

Cheers,

Nigel

[coyobra]

It's amazing how when you solve one problem you walk face first into the next one. Lol

Now that my engine is running I discovered that the Gen 2 apparently turns the fan on at engine temp and never really turns it off. So I of course researched it on the forum and it looks like a well known issue.

I made a point in my build thread that I didn't mind the loud FFR fan but I guess that was before I realized it never really shut off. So, now what to do. I seem a lot of folks install the Maradyne fans speed controller. The down side to this is 95% of the car is wired loomed and tucked away. I would also need to drain it and put a sensor inline.

The flex a light seems to be the fan of choice. Can someone quantify for me how much less loud the flex a light is? The fan replacement is the easier route to take but if it's only a few decibels quieter than perhaps I take the plunge and install the controller.

Any and all input is appreciated.

Thanks

I also have a Gen 2 and had the same issue. The fan would go on at 80+ degrees C and stay on even if it went below 80. I had a tune done and it's possible to have it programmed to go on at 80 C and turn off when it goes below 80. I think 80 C is low for these Coyotes, so I'm having the "shop" look into it and possibly increasing the threshold to 90 C (194 F).

[Nigel Allen]

I have a gen 1. Fan is on at 82C and off at 80C. Will drop to and hold at 78C when highway driving with light engine load.