RE: Radiator Fan Motor: Thanks

[Sandy Duffy <sandyduffy@home.com>]

You wrote:
>My decision:
>7 blade upgrade from The Parts Connection - $167 w/tax delivered.  And
>Al Powell and I were earlier discussing the fuse thing.  I am going to
>put a 60 amp fuse on the ground side of the fan motor wires.
>
Gary:

Great idea.  IMHO the fuse should be more like 70 amps.  According to my
Bentley, the fan in a "stage three" cooling event draws 500 watts...thats
42 amps!  Assuming a starting current of 60 amps to get it turning & up to
speed, 70 amps should probably be the fuse value.  Also If you have a fuse,
you might want to put a medium duty 12 volt light bulb across the fuse that
will glow very brightly if the fuse blows so that you know you've got a
problem!  I think the original reason for NOT installing a fuse was that
wiring harnesses are much less expensive than new engines.  (If that fan
fails to turn you get one seriously overheated/toast of an engine!) 

HTH

Sandy