Renix Electric fan, what temp?
- Thread starter BlueCuda
- Start date
- Location
- Aransas Pass, Texas
I believe mine comes on somewhere around 205.
- Location
- WA state
I believe 215.
- Location
- MilkyWay Galaxy
They seem to vary a little, but on at about 185 to 190 F, and off at about 168 to 172 F, measured with IR at the sensor in the cool side of the Radiator. The temp at the thermostat housing can be 15 to 50 F hotter depending on the coolant flow rate through the entire system (think loose pump impeller, loose belt and partially clogged radiator, versus new parts). I did a special write up on here 2-3 summers ago. I went to a manual toggle switch on mine before I upgraded my entire cooling system.
The HO system uses the "thermostat housing" temperature location for the data signal to power the E-Fan, which was an improvement, especially if the flow through the radiator is real slow!!!!!!!
I discovered that the delta T across my radiator dropped from 35 F to only 15 F, when I replaced the radiator, and yet the engine peak temperature dropped 35 F under the same conditions. I scratched my head over that data, and then it dawned on me that the key change (which none of us can easliy measure) was the actual system GPM flow rate through the radiator and engine with a new (nor partly clogged) radiator.
The old radiator was only 3-4 years old, 2 row aluminum, plastic tanks el-cheapo. I recently discovered that the other problem I had was a leaking E-manifold donut-flange at the down pipe joint that was heating the block, and adding to the load.
The HO system uses the "thermostat housing" temperature location for the data signal to power the E-Fan, which was an improvement, especially if the flow through the radiator is real slow!!!!!!!
I discovered that the delta T across my radiator dropped from 35 F to only 15 F, when I replaced the radiator, and yet the engine peak temperature dropped 35 F under the same conditions. I scratched my head over that data, and then it dawned on me that the key change (which none of us can easliy measure) was the actual system GPM flow rate through the radiator and engine with a new (nor partly clogged) radiator.
The old radiator was only 3-4 years old, 2 row aluminum, plastic tanks el-cheapo. I recently discovered that the other problem I had was a leaking E-manifold donut-flange at the down pipe joint that was heating the block, and adding to the load.
Last edited:
HenryKrinkle
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- WI
Sorry no answer to your question
I hardwired mine into the accessory slot of the under-dash fuse. It goes on when the key is in the ON position. Stays pretty cool even with my worn out mechanical fan clutch...
I hardwired mine into the accessory slot of the under-dash fuse. It goes on when the key is in the ON position. Stays pretty cool even with my worn out mechanical fan clutch...
Nely87
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- California
Just an fyi while ive been reseacrhing my radiator swap on my 87 xj. The electric.fan swith from a 90s vw golf/jetta has the same thread pitch and size as the jeeps radiator. So it should work as a dual speed fan switch if wired properly.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
What temps does it switch on and off at?
Nely87
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- California
I believe its 180 low speed and 210 high
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
- Location
- In the islands
The Renix era fan switch located in the radiator closes at 185* and opens at 170*. It is just a thermal on-off switch. I am using one to turn on the electric cooling fans in my XJ and have tested several of them that I pulled from the local PAP.
- Location
- MilkyWay Galaxy
The Renix fan is not a dual speed fan. It is either on (full speed) or off.
I wonder if there is a pigtail available for that VW sensor? What I want to do is go to two stock E-fans. My radiator has a provision in it for the renix sensor. If that VW switch could control both fans that would be pretty sweet, keep the stock drivers side efan as primary and to run with AC on and the passenger fan as auxilary(the higher temp)
- Location
- Southern Maryland
Reminder to some of the posters, the temperature of the coolant in the radiator is MUCH lower than the temperature of the coolant in the head. The RENIX-era switch monitors the coolant in the radiator to determine if the coolant needs to be cooled more aggressively, ie turn on the fan, so it is for the radiator temperature not the engine temperature. Using a 210 switch would be pretty much pointless there.
- Location
- MilkyWay Galaxy
Keep in mind a second E-fan will draw more power from the alternator.
it certainly could, just use it to control two relays, that's all it did from te factory anyway.
- Location
- MilkyWay Galaxy
You might also consider two temperature switches, one at the Renix radiator outlet, the stock OEM one, then a second one run by a sensor/switch located at the thermostat housing, tripped on at say 210 or 220 F
very easy to accomplish, just go buy a new thermostat housing from an HO year and it will bolt right on. I've got an HO hosing on my 87 with a plug in the sender hole.
