One for all my fans?
Submitted: Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 19:15
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Ian from Thermoguard Instruments
Well, only my two air conditioner condenser fans actually...
We've just completed the round trip from
Mount Isa, Qld to
Broome, WA and return, in some pretty warm weather - like 45C (official) in
Fitzroy Crossing and at least 38C every day on the road! While the Discovery 2.5L Tdi did a mighty job with over 2200kg in tow, I was little concerned at the coolant temperature, especially when it got above 110C on occasions. When we got to
Broome, I realised the air-con condenser fans didn't seem to be running when I thought they should be. Checked the manual and yes, they should be running whenever the air con is on OR if the coolant temp exceeds 100C with the air-con off. I know they used to work - but can't recall how long it's been since I last heard them...
So, started checking the wiring through various switches and relays to finally discover there was a strong 12V at each fan motor (yes, I know I should have started there first!) - but no action from them. Went to see the very helpful Matt Field at Field Air Conditioning and Auto Electrics in
Broome. Despite being very busy, he checked them on
the spot and confirmed them as 'dead'. Then rang a couple of suppliers only to learn replacement fans would be about $650 EACH!! Now, before anyone starts berating English engineering and parts prices, these are Nippon Denso fans. Matt then explained that it might just be worn-out brushes and it wouldn't be economical to pay him to take them apart - but if I did so myself, he might
well have some suitable brushes in stock.
Next day I began the surgery in my fully-equipped workshop (read: the concrete slab, under the caravan awning). Found the brushes quite OK but the armatures badly worn and with a couple of broken copper tracks. So, you resourceful lot out there, has anyone managed to repair these 'pancake' motors? Does anyone know a source of replacement armatures? (Apparently Denso don't supply any individual motor parts, not even brushes.) Has anyone successfully repaired broken armature tracks? Or does anyone know of a supplier of Denso-equivalent motors? My motors are marked "065000 2320, 12V 5R24". Any suggestions much appreciated. (By the way, we just left the dead fans out for the return journey, so they didn't just sit there restricting air flow.)
Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 19:38
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 19:38
Why not just fit generic replacement fans?
AnswerID:
140065
Follow Up By: Ian from Thermoguard Instruments - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 19:44
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 19:44
Reasonable suggestion. Matt, the auto-sparkie in
Broome, had some of a similar size for $88 each. But he said aftermarket fans wouldn't move as much air as the originals and, as they have different mounting hole positions, they'd need special brackets made up.
While I could easily do this, I'd prefer to keep thing original if possible at reasonable cost. But I'll go the aftermarket fan route if nothing else is viable.
FollowupID:
393771
Follow Up By: angler - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 21:29
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 21:29
Have a think about this. Any generic fan will work better than the ones you don't have now, and haven't had for some time.
They will most certainly move some air, ie more than none !!!
FollowupID:
393783
Reply By: Peter 2 - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 20:33
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 20:33
Will the generic motors fit the original fans, that way you get the original blades and mounting points.
Another route might be to visit a big motor wreckers and wander around looking for something that runs Nippondenso fans, even if you get the actual motor to match it will be better than $650! A lot of late model vehicles run electric fans rather than engine driven.
I know early Range rover fans were the same as Falcon's.
Go digging on the rover forums someone will have been there done that!
AnswerID:
140067
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 22:02
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 22:02
Like all front wheel drive cars Motor could
well be generic but if his went that quickly would you want 2nd hand? I searched a wreckers once trying to save cash getting a windscreen squirter motor but soon realized
mine didnt work because most of them dont
FollowupID:
393787
Reply By: cmilton54 - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 21:04
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 21:04
Ian
Go to a aircond supplier of spare parts. If they can not try (Ingrams) wholesaler of electrical and aircond parts. There are various sealed condensor motors that suit the davies craig style cond fans. measure fan body dia and dia of mounting holes. They mave have a motor to fit your setup.
Cheers
Charlie
AnswerID:
140071
Reply By: techie - Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 23:29
Saturday, Nov 19, 2005 at 23:29
It's a long shot, but try the smash repairers.
I help out at one every now and then and they are always throwing complete radiator/ fan units out.
The radiator is busted and the new radiator comes with the fans already attached.
He threw out 2 lots last week. (
Sydney,unfortunately)
They may not suit your particular car ie Air flow, mounting holes, but it's gotta be better than none, and they don't cost anything.
Techie
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Ian from Thermoguard Instruments - Sunday, Nov 20, 2005 at 10:32
Sunday, Nov 20, 2005 at 10:32
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll have a look around at what's available.
AnswerID:
140118
Reply By: techie - Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005 at 23:26
Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005 at 23:26
just picked up 2 radiator fans from panelbeater's I'm helping out.
Don't know what they are off.
They are 32cm in diameter, 5cm thick.
The center(motor) is 12.5cm with 3 mounting screws.
Has 3 wires coming out of it and has the numbers 67254 C3623 (probably don't mean much).
Give me eMail address and I will send photos.
There is 2 of them side by side. One's five bladed, the other has 4 blades.
Even have the mounting plastic they came with.
Techie
AnswerID:
140735
Follow Up By: Ian from Thermoguard Instruments - Thursday, Nov 24, 2005 at 22:56
Thursday, Nov 24, 2005 at 22:56
Hi Techie,
Thanks, I'd appreciate a couple of photos of these fans. If you click on my 'Thermoguard' logo, you'll go a page with my direct email links. I tried to 'click' on your name, but no links to your contact details.
The three wires sound interesting - maybe two-speed fans??
Anyway, thanks again,
Ian
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Ian from Thermoguard Instruments - Thursday, Nov 24, 2005 at 22:59
Thursday, Nov 24, 2005 at 22:59
Sorry, just tried what I told you above and it's still a bit cryptic. Try "ian@thermoguard.com.au", please. Ian
FollowupID:
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Reply By: techie - Friday, Nov 25, 2005 at 09:35
Friday, Nov 25, 2005 at 09:35
Will photo and eMail tonite - at work at moment.
will take the whole assy home 2 nite (just in case).
plugged one in - verrry powerful.
will try and work out what they are off.
Techie
AnswerID:
140918
Reply By: Disco200Tdi - Friday, Nov 25, 2005 at 09:56
Friday, Nov 25, 2005 at 09:56
Hi Ian,
I bought a complete second hand condenser fan & motor from a wrecker (Toorak Tractor) for $100 dollars. I am fairly sure it can off a V8 and I have a Tdi so either would do.
Why not try a few wreckers in your neck of the woods.
eg British Offroad. ph 07 5445 1094.
HTH
John D
AnswerID:
140922
Follow Up By: Ian from Thermoguard Instruments - Friday, Nov 25, 2005 at 17:08
Friday, Nov 25, 2005 at 17:08
Thanks Techie and John.
John, we're in
Cloncurry, NW Qld, at the moment and Disco wrecks are few and far between out this way. But we'll be back in SE Qld in a few weeks time, so I check out the usual LR parts culprits then, if nothing else turn-ups in the meantime.
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