M30 owners - how are you triggering your electric fans?

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MJJ_ZX6RR
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Thu May 06, 2010 9:30 pm

Fellow boat anchor appreciators,

Can you share what sensor (specifically what temperature) you are using to trigger the electric fan?

My car uses the standard 80degC thermostat and standard E32 91degC sensor in the rad to trigger, but the car gets very hot (almost into the red) before the rad reaches that temperature and kicks in the fan.

I know on another thread, Rav posted he was using a lower temp rad sensor. Is that the normal approach - maybe an 80degC rad sensor?

Thanks guys,

Martin.
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zaust
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Fri May 07, 2010 5:38 pm

I'm wating for the 80 - 85c one from a e28 535, Till I get it I am on a manual switch.
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johnl320
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Fri May 07, 2010 6:04 pm

I'm using a two speed one from an e34 (i Forget what model) I'm using this to switch a high and low speed relay for the two speed E32 aircon fan, It hasn't hit fast speed yet but that probably because its not ventured very far from the garage yet.
I believe its rated for 85 low speed -90 high speed but will confirm this tomorrow.

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I've stuck the relays in the now redundant DME relay mount
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zaust
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Sat May 08, 2010 11:59 am

johnl320 wrote:I'm using a two speed one from an e34 (i Forget what model) I'm using this to switch a high and low speed relay for the two speed E32 aircon fan, It hasn't hit fast speed yet but that probably because its not ventured very far from the garage yet.
I believe its rated for 85 low speed -90 high speed but will confirm this tomorrow.

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I've stuck the relays in the now redundant DME relay mount
Image
[/i]
Did not relaize the e32 ac fan was a two speed, Will be rewiring now i think.
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gareth
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Sat May 08, 2010 2:37 pm

that's a similar setup to mine but i've got the sender in the thermostat housing as there wasn't a hole for it in my rad. also the E32 fan bearings had gone so it's not got a Spal fan. the E32 low speed resistor is still retained though
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johnl320
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Sun May 09, 2010 12:58 pm

Switch is from an 'N' reg 525i, and is 91 deg low speed and 99 deg high speed. Seems to cope and has been ticking over for an hour and doesn't require high speed just low speed going on and off.. I've also got no extra hole cut in the front valence but the front grill has had all the blanked off areas removed.

regards
john
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Sun May 09, 2010 1:01 pm

iirc, i'm using a low temp Volvo sender, about 80 degrees, and it's located the same place Gareth has, Thermostst housing.
And my relays and fuse holder are in the same place Jon has his, old DME cover by the airbox bracket.

Rav
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MJJ_ZX6RR
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Sun May 09, 2010 8:26 pm

Thanks guys, appreciate the info.

Time to go experimenting to see what works on mine. I am going to wire in a manual trigger for the fan too, but of extra comfort.

Martin.
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Tue May 11, 2010 11:25 pm

i had an adjustable fan switch from ebay, just set it to the temperature you desire for the fsn to kick in and job done :D
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