Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: DJ and Jane on May 21, 2020, 11:06:40 pm

Title: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: DJ and Jane on May 21, 2020, 11:06:40 pm
I've read a few things about replacing the hydraulic fan controller. Seems like I've read somewhere that some people replace them with the old wax capsule kind and It seems like I've read where somebody had gotten it rebuilt.

Is there a way to test the one that's in there with a volt meter to diagnose? My father in law(Johnston's) noticed that it was getting pretty hot while bringing it back to OK for us last fall. He had had that trouble before and unplugged the controller so that the fans would go to the high setting. Hasn't gotten hot since. That obviously is putting a lot of extra wear on the fans so I need to get it fixed. Not to mention the power it's robbing.
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: Caflashbob on May 22, 2020, 01:01:27 pm
The replacement of a low/high electric fan controller with the wax capsule type from source engineering in Oregon is more reliable and has a variable fan speed that can lower the 60hp lost from being on high constantly.

Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: DJ and Jane on May 22, 2020, 02:48:11 pm
Does the wax one install similar to the electric one? What is price comparison?
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: Chris m lang on May 22, 2020, 09:17:48 pm
SourceRV.com
DJ google that website I didn't get mine from them I just found one on ebay.  They sell the whole kit, then you have to take the metal water line off so you can weld a nipple in the line to screw the wax valve into.  I think I had less than 150.00 in mine but I bought a nipple at hardware store and wax valve on ebay for 130.00 then did my own welding.  If I remember correctly the sauer danfoss was
pushing 500.00 for a new one. Personally I would not put a used one on but that is just me
Also with their kit you get hose extensions so you can mount the valve at the top of the water line on left side of engine.  I mounted mine at lower end of water line so I didn't need the hose extensions
Chris
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: Caflashbob on May 22, 2020, 10:07:22 pm
The dynamatic fan controllers are specific for the temps.  Part number has no connection to the temp curve built in.

Good deal if you found the correct unit. 
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: DJ and Jane on May 22, 2020, 10:22:07 pm
SourceRV.com
DJ google that website I didn't get mine from them I just found one on ebay.  They sell the whole kit, then you have to take the metal water line off so you can weld a nipple in the line to screw the wax valve into.  I think I had less than 150.00 in mine but I bought a nipple at hardware store and wax valve on ebay for 130.00 then did my own welding.  If I remember correctly the sauer danfoss was
pushing 500.00 for a new one. Personally I would not put a used one on but that is just me
Also with their kit you get hose extensions so you can mount the valve at the top of the water line on left side of engine.  I mounted mine at lower end of water line so I didn't need the hose extensions
Chris

Thanks Chris, $150 is definitely better than $500. Other than the welding it looks pretty straight forward.
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: Chris m lang on May 24, 2020, 08:17:05 pm
 Part number has no connection to the temp curve built in.

The Engineer I talked to sent me a list with part numbers and their correlating  temps
Chris
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: dans96u295ft on May 24, 2020, 11:20:57 pm
I called Source Engineering. Great help on info and doing it right. I'd say call them and get an opinion before starting.
Title: Re: Hydraulic fan controller replacement
Post by: Caflashbob on May 24, 2020, 11:33:31 pm
Noticeable difference in throttle response, mpg and low rpm power