Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Topic: Dash A/C Condenser Fans (Read 918 times) previous topic - next topic

Dash A/C Condenser Fans

June 18, 2015, 10:49:05 am

Anybody ever replaced one or both of these fans? (On a GV, the ones up front behind the grill, blow air through the dash A/C condenser)

On our recent trip, I noticed one of our 2 fans was not working. Jiggled wires, disconnected/reconnected power plug - no go. Ground point is common between the 2 fans. Other fan works fine. Got home, removed "bad" fan, checked for continuity through power wires - found none (open circuit). I think this means motor is toast. (On the "good" fan, there is continuity through the power wires)

Searched Forum - no specifics found on replacement units. Is mine the first one that ever broke? Markings on fan motor (see photos) do not generate any hits from Google. Fan is a little over 10" in diameter. I'm thinking most any suitable sized aftermarket electric radiator fan would do the job. I would probably have to modify the mounting brackets. If nobody has any specific recommendations, I will just look for something on Amazon or eBay. Might get a shrouded dual fan unit, and replace both our old fans. The other one is probably living on borrowed time...

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #1 – June 18, 2015, 11:04:42 am

I have replaced them on my last two coaches.

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #2 – June 18, 2015, 11:07:46 am

Quote from: John S – June 18, 2015, 11:04:42 am

I have replaced them on my last two coaches.

Thanks John, but a little more information would be helpful. Source of fans, brand, model number, etc?

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #3 – June 18, 2015, 11:36:08 am

Chuck, just make sure it's a " sealed" motor that you use.

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #4 – June 18, 2015, 11:46:07 am

Your fans would be different from Johns as his coach only has one on the condenser.

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #5 – June 18, 2015, 12:56:38 pm

Mine has a single fan. I ripped it out, went to advance auto (or maybe autozone) and htey had a $30? aftermarket replacement that matched up size wise. I used heavy duty zipties to attach it and did up the connectors appropriately. The fan is a *monster* and spins wiht a fury. The a/c is ice cold ever since.

Related: Foretravel U320 Condenser Fan | Geeky Nomads

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #6 – June 18, 2015, 01:07:07 pm

Chuck,

When we had our U-240 one of ours went out and we replaced one. Just went out and checked the other one that I've got and the only number on it is 5479, 12VDC, 80wats. It was held on with tie wraps through the core. I got them from either eBay or amazon. We just looked for one that was the same size, volts, & speed. It's slightly smaller like 9 1/2" but it has 14 blades and spins like the latch on an out house door.

Pamela & Mike
Where does MDR come up with this foolishness. I need to write a book of his sayings.

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #7 – June 18, 2015, 02:54:22 pm

OK, thanks for the replies. Consensus is: find a aftermarket fan (or fans) that fits, and make it work. I can do that. Will post results of my search and what I end up with. As Carol S. says, "It's ALWAYS somethin..."

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #8 – June 18, 2015, 06:04:04 pm

Chuck , its always something with anything that rolls. I just got my Daughters new Ford Flex back from the shop with a 400 dollar AC blower motor just a few miles out of warranty. And in 90 degree heat I replaced the headliner in my 96 Nissan PU. Even tho I no longer have a FT I seem to be able to find something to skin knuckles on or spend money. The FT was a lot more fun though.

Gary B

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #9 – June 18, 2015, 06:48:37 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – June 18, 2015, 06:04:04 pm

Even tho I no longer have a FT I seem to be able to find something to skin knuckles on or spend money.

Gary, I find if I designate IT a "Hobby" (whatever "It" is at the time) then the work is more fun, and the expenses less irritating. Our sweet old Foretravel is my BIG, FUN HOBBY!

(Laughing all the way to the poorhouse)

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #10 – June 18, 2015, 10:10:06 pm

Where would I find the ac fan(s) on my 2001 U320?

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #11 – June 18, 2015, 10:33:08 pm

Quote from: Fiddler – June 18, 2015, 10:10:06 pm

Where would I find the ac fan(s) on my 2001 U320?

You should have a grill in the lower body panel, driver side rear, aft of the wheel well. Your A/C condenser is behind that grill. The (single) electric fan is mounted on the inboard side of the condenser. Look at right side of photos below, next to muffler:

(Photo credit: Memory Roads: Foretravel, Exhaust Upgrade)

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #12 – June 18, 2015, 10:45:21 pm

Chuck,

Agreed that should be the location for Fiddler's coach. It should be the same as in the pics. also posted by piku in reply #5.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #13 – June 18, 2015, 11:40:40 pm

Mike,

So on the rear A/C condenser setup (U270, U320) is the electric fan a "sucker", same as the engine cooling fans?

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #14 – June 19, 2015, 07:04:40 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 18, 2015, 11:40:40 pm

So on the rear A/C condenser setup (U270, U320) is the electric fan a "sucker", same as the engine cooling fans?

Chuck,
It should be this way so it draws relative cool air in from the outside of the coach compared to hot air that is in the engine compartment through the condenser. If it was exhausting air out in a lot of cases it would be drawing air over the exhaust pipe which is routed just inboard of the condenser as shown in the pics that you have linked to. I would think that they were all the same unless someone changed the fan out.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #15 – June 19, 2015, 12:21:17 pm

I'm taking my coach in for LOF and (hopefully) dash a/c trouble-shooting and repair. The dash-air (it is a Victory Climate Systems HC-212) started getting progressively warmer over the past two years, and replacing the compressor (which had an oil-leak) and dryer hasn't remedied things. The service facility doing the work "has seen a couple of Foretravels", but also started asking lots of questions about "where is the condenser located - where is the dryer located" which didn't enthuse me. I worry a bit about secondary damage; how much of the critical items are buried in the wiring under the dash? Any advice on where the principle components are located would be very useful information and greatly appreciated!

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #16 – June 19, 2015, 01:00:33 pm

Chad,

The thing that is hid in the dash is your expansion valve. Yes the fan is in there and the evaporator core but the expansion valve can get stopped up or just fail and may need to be replaced. There are a couple of threads that cover the removal of the dash section. The main thing to remember is to mark all the pieces, take pics. so you will know how to put it back. And the big thing you will need a #3 coffee can to hold all the screws.

Your dryer should be hung on the frame rail close to the condenser core. Our dryer is right behind the panel that the battery isolator is mounted to. Your condenser should be just behind the left rear wheels like described above by Chuck. You can see the compressor and pressure switches when you have the engine hatch open.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #17 – June 19, 2015, 01:19:58 pm

Many thanks, Mike! Last service we replaced the dryer and compressor with new, as I mentioned. (Our dryer is a bear to get to; on the engine frame-rail, in-front of the street-side duel.) One tech (last Fall) did say there is a possibility the dryer came-apart and FOD'd the expansion valve, and I have passed that analysis along to the place that will be doing the LOF and working on the dash-air. I'm simply not savvy enough on a/c systems to do much effective trouble-shooting on my own, and my fear (as I also mentioned) is secondary wiring or other damage when anyone digs into the dash. Hopefully DP dash-air systems have enough in-common that the techs where I am scheduled for service will have little real difficulty. All that said, we'll see how it goes. I would love to upgrade the air-distribution fan, as very (very) little air circulates through the dash-vents. Could be collapsed ducting, or ..... but based upon the age of the coach, one thought is the blower is weak. Thanks again for your sage council!!

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #18 – June 19, 2015, 03:50:00 pm

I'm looking at the fan situation on our GV. Since one is dead, and the other working (but 22 years old), I'm thinking I will just replace both of them. The existing bracket arrangement will only accommodate two (maximum) 10" diameter fans, in the "pusher" configuration. I believe this setup could be improved upon. The fans are now in front of the condenser, where they partially block the flow of air coming through the grill at highway speeds. Also, they make it hard to clean bugs and trash off the condenser fins. Finally, it is generally believed that "pusher" fans are less efficient than "puller" fans.

The back side of our condenser is completely open and free of any obstructions. It would be a simple matter to mount the new fans behind the condenser in "puller" orientation. This would leave the front of the condenser more open to air flow at speed, and allow easier cleaning. Another BIG benefit: I could use larger diameter fans. Two 14" fans would fit nicely behind the condenser. Most 10" fans run around 650 CFM maximum airflow, while 14" fans are in the 1250 CFM range. By going to the bigger fans, I could double the air flow through the condenser.

I don't see any downside, unless it is possible to have TOO much cooling air. What am I missing? Comments? Ideas?

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #19 – June 19, 2015, 09:11:26 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 19, 2015, 03:50:00 pm

I don't see any downside, unless it is possible to have TOO much cooling air. What am I missing? Comments? Ideas?

Chuck,
IMHO you can't get too much cooling through a condenser on an auto style A/C system. The only down side will be the increase in the amps drawn, may be less efficient because you may be using more fan that needed. You will need to check your wiring & fuse to see if it will handle the extra load. Other than that go for it as it should work better with the fan behind the condenser.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #20 – June 19, 2015, 10:57:15 pm

I picked up 2 Hayden 14" fans at a local O'Reilly Auto Parts store today. They had a good price on them at $65.99 - even with tax added that is $1.50 less than Amazon Prime. I'll get them installed over the weekend and we'll see how they work out.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HDN2/3690/N0646.oap?pt=N0646&ppt=C0095

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #21 – June 20, 2015, 11:14:53 pm

I installed the two new 14" fans today. Not a difficult job, but somewhat tedious and painful. First of all, on our '93 GV (with the 2 small access hatches in the nose) it is difficult to reach the area of interest. It would be easier if I had arms like a Orangutan. Removing the old fans was very simple - installing the new ones, not so much. I couldn't reach high enough from underneath, so had to work reaching down through hatches. EVERYTHING around the air condenser is sharp and ready to draw blood. Sheet metal screws with tips like needles protruding everywhere... After I finished, my arms looked like I had been in a fight with a tomcat, and lost.

The 14" fans fit perfectly on the back of the condenser. Once I got everything tidied up, I started the engine and turned on the A/C. The new fans are louder than the old ones. Not surprising since they put out twice as much air flow. The noise is only objectionable when you stand outside directly in front of the coach - seated inside you cannot hear the fans over the other "normal" running noises.

The air coming out of the A/C vents did not seem to be any cooler than before the fan change. I went around to the engine bay and watched the compressor. The clutch would engage, compressor would run for a few seconds, and clutch would disengage. Went back up front to watch sight glass. When compressor was running all I could see was bubbles. Not good. A quick Google search informed me that these symptoms generally mean insufficient charge in the system. My Sanden compressor label says R134A, and I see they sell "do it yerself" kits at Walmart to add refrigerant to the A/C system. I've never tried doing this myself, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Any tips on what is the best "stuff" to buy will be greatly appreciated. They sell R134A without oil, with oil, with "stop leak", with leak detecting dye, etc etc. Some cans come with a pressure gauge, some do not. They also sell separate pressure gauge sets... I want to keep it simple (KISS).

Photos show condenser with old fans, condenser with old fans removed, and new fans installed on the back of condenser.

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #22 – June 21, 2015, 01:44:35 am

Chuck, I would add R134a without any additives, OR if you come by my house I will get out the gauges and a 30# jug of 134A and add it for you. I'm in The Atlanta area and leaving for CO tuesday morning.
Seriously, If you have no experience with charging an automotive AC system please leave it to the experts, you can seriously damage your eyesight with 134A and cause damage to the compressor if things go wrong.

Gary B

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #23 – June 21, 2015, 12:27:54 pm

Gary, PM sent.

Re: Dash A/C Condenser Fans

Reply #24 – June 22, 2015, 03:48:39 pm

Something I should note for people, if your over the road a/c doesn't work very well try this...

Turn on boost, then turn the ignition to on, then turn the a/c on. If you walk outside the fan should be spinning. Now let it run that way, engine off, for a while. Ours would run probably 5-10 minutes and then slowly stop spinning which lead to a bit of confusion. Same thing could probably happen with the compressor clutch as well but that's less easy to detect. We also needed new circuit breakers for both the compressor clutch and fan as well as both relays (!). I've never had so many parts fail in a chain like that before.

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