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Topic: Hydraulic fan controller DIY (Read 5333 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #40 –
Went out and ran coach. Was unable to get hi enough IAT to set fans on, had operated with heat gun prior to set temperature  but everything else worked as expected. Much better retarder heat performance than prior. Did notice I liked be able to operate in override position when ever I wanted, like entering a long downhill you could start precooling system ahead of entering downhill. 80 Deg OAT today and drove down to Hoover dam on the new I11 bypass around Boulder City. Retarded is working as it did before with fans failed to 100% on operation. Still don't know cooling fan speed or percentage of operation. Don't think I need too, won't change anything if I did.  Pulling back  up grade cooling system never exceeded 185 deg. Trans about 175 retarder 180. Switch in auto with no indication of 100% commanded. Also after extended retarder use when turning around at Kingman wash retarder temperature was already dropping from 240 deg s. This downhill was also using lower gears in trans.  This prior would take some time to recover never immediately after the stop . I really like being able to command on to cool down before shutdown feature. All in all I'm very pleased and thankful for all the help. I'll post wiring diagram and other details to this post eventually.

Solenoid Operated Shut Off Valve, 2 Way, Normally Open, #8 SAE Ports
Note on special order available in #6


Plug
Deutsch DT06-2S Male Solenoid Connector w/ Wire Leads


Single pull double throw double lighted switch
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Scott

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #41 –
As a datapoint to this thread, mine is a 99 U320 and does not have the wax valve.  It has the electronic controller mounted down on the horizontal beam that the hitch is welded to.  Mine will run on a lower fan speed until around 180F coolant temp at which point it revs up to 100% (at least it seems to be) and stays there.  I don't think I've ever heard them turn back to low speed, even when it is cold out.

I really don't get bad fuel economy even though the fans are at 100%.  8-8.5mpg.  Which is excellent when you consider we are 42', always run with 200 gallons of water and fuel and have a 6000 pound toad.

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #42 –
Quote from: Mark D –
As a datapoint to this thread, mine is a 99 U320 and does not have the wax valve.  It has the electronic controller mounted down on the horizontal beam that the hitch is welded to.  Mine will run on a lower fan speed until around 180F coolant temp at which point it revs up to 100% (at least it seems to be) and stays there.  I don't think I've ever heard them turn back to low speed, even when it is cold out.

I really don't get bad fuel economy even though the fans are at 100%.  8-8.5mpg.  Which is excellent when you consider we are 42', always run with 200 gallons of water and fuel and have a 6000 pound toad.
This too was how my coach was originally configured. Mine was failed in the 100% fan on position. If you are seeing a change in fan percentage yours is still operational, easy check is to go to a hi idle and disconnect the control plug on the controller and your solenoid valve will close and fan speed will go to 100%. If it's is already at 100% it is failed or overheating.
Scott

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #43 –
So after last weeks trip from Boulder City Nevada to Ann Arbor Michigan and back got to beta test the entire cooling system control modification of to the wax controller.
I had added a thermostatically controlled sensor for the IAT inlet air temp and a 100% off control solenoid for use with retarder use, brakes, and manual over ride. We drove I70 and made real good time and the 9 mpg to show for it. I70 west of Denver is quite exciting to say the least. I found that I really liked being able to override fans when ever I wanted. Most down hill grades were made in 4-5 gear and level one on the joy stick. I found that this would keep retarder temperature below 233 and minimal brake use. Never saw the IAT temps above 110 or activated other than when manually in override. Was able to command fans to 100% before shutdown at night. Would run for about 20 minutes prior. Bedroom temperature this trip was much better than before with fan override, resonator installation, and a actual bed rather than a air mattress. I saw a decrease in fuel economy but was pushing a little harder than prior. 9 mpg. So although not accurate I swear the instant fuel economy would actually improve .2-.3 mpg with fans engaged? Probably just coincidence and no way to actually prove but will watch some more next trip. All in all I'm quite satisfied and glad I did the mods.
Scott

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #44 –
Thanks Scott for being the Guinee pig. I have all the parts you acquired for me and will follow your setup when my controller fails or I have some time on my hands.

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #45 –
Follow up trip this week. Took baby daughter to last year of college. She flew up a couple days ago and week trailered her car up to her. Boulder City to Reno up 95. Ran good no issues. With the additional shutoff valve installed to command hi speed and dual control I'm able to put into auto mode and it manages itself well. Any braking or retarder use and radiator fans on hi. Or manually put on hi if desired. After dropping kid off we headed to Ely for a change of sights from Carson city across 50. Was real impressed how well thing worked going out of Austin Nv is quite a downhill curvy road. Third gear 1700 rpm level one retarder. First time I've ever seen retarder temperature actually drop during use to 195 degrees. In forth gear  or higher I alway am running in the 220s retarder temperature. One flat level ground I also turned the fan control between auto and on and noted the temperature difference. 197 is my normal radiator temperature in auto but with fans on I saw it drop to 171 on one run. IAT was generally 105-115 and fans on or off didn't seem to make a difference? It was blazing hot outside at 108 at times. Was really nice how operating prior to shutting down for twenty miles dropped the bedroom temperature. When we stopped in Ely for the night is was bearable to sleep in. I really like having manual control over the radiator cooling fans for cool down prior to shutdown. This was similar to prior operation with failed on fan controller. Home run for me. IAT override is set to 150 degrees and I've never seen it trip the controller. Only other additional mode I'm thinking of is a time delay switch to keep fans actuated for a additional 30 seconds once activated. That would help to clip that hi temperature peak after retarder release automatically
Really enjoyed 50 between Carson and Ely. Is a work out climbing and descending. 👍👍
Scott

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #47 –
You guys are having way too much fun.

Remember KISS.

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #48 –
Quote from: tmehrkam –
You guys are having way too much fun.

Remember KISS.
Absolutely agree, but really like the fact that now my fans ramp up for retarder use, and any braking action automatically. Also being able to manually turn to high for max cooling and deleting all the extra heat before shutdown makes immediate use of the bedroom tolerable. So reverting back to the wax valve (KISS) and having a override system works well for me.
Scott
IAT protection is a nice feature, however haven't seen it activated yet in use

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #49 –
KISS is just having a switch, one position is low, the other is high.  That is what I did using existing wire from engine to dash.  Lift the ground wire from the hi/low speed solenoid, connect to wire going to one side of dash switch.  The other side of switch is grounded.  Now hi/low when you want it.

I just need help on why my fans are running slow on hi and low by about 600rpm.  I have new pump, fan motors, star controller, hi/low solenoid value.  That is all the parts.

Pat,

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #50 –
Pat,

I know there were a lot of different hydraulic systems used over the years.  Below it a picture of our 1993 U240.  The aluminum block on the passenger's side frame rail (yes with optional, owner added pressure gauge) allows for total PSI adjustment.

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #51 –
Yes, Brett that looks like my stuff.  I do notice in the picture that the allen head screw is out a long ways.  Mine is all the way in!!  I still have the slow fan speed problem and I am working on it again.  I need a better drawing of the system.  I have 7-8 hoses connecting 5 components(reservoir, pump, Star Controller, HI/LOW solenoid value, fans).  No one knows about all that stuff and how it should work.  Can you find anything?

Thanks in advance Brett,
Pat,

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #52 –
Sorry, your system is different than the 1993 U240 original or what Foretravel sent when my pump "puked" at Fort Davis State Park.

Also, the 1993 was a single large fan, you have two smaller ones.

Have you tried getting info from either Foretravel or MOT.  May be a good idea to send pictures of each component.

BTW, that is a CAP on the adjustment allen screw that controls system pressure.  You have to remove the cap to access the allen screw with its lock nut.

When I first installed the new system (on the frozen ground in Alpine, TX), the fan did not turn.  I was devastated. A quick visit with the local hydraulic shop (lots of hydraulic farm/ranch equipment out there) said to go adjust the pressure regulator.  Also suggested adding the "T" and pressure gauge to eliminate guessing.  System worked just fine for the next 100,000 miles, and likely still works well today.

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #53 –
I just finished the electrical solenoid to put the fans on high speed according
to Scotts idea. Having just putting in a Seelevel system the select slot for the
different applications for the Javelina I used for the switch for the new fan
controller. The switch I used lights up when it's on. I will take pictures on the
instal soon. 
 

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #54 –
So i really like the ability to manually turn them on prior to shut down. Everything clips the top 15 degrees off. Still planning on a 3 minute timer to extend actuation by retarder and brakes
Scott

Re: Hydraulic fan controller DIY

Reply #55 –
Scott I hadn't thought about cooling down, good idea. Here is the pictures of
the instal.