Single vs. Dual Electric Fans
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Pro
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From: Dallas Texas
Single vs. Dual Electric Fans
Question... will be chucking the stock pulley fan in favor of electric fan(s). My question is a (hopefully) relatively simple straightforward one. Which option is better? A) A single 16" fan or B) Dual, smaller fans.
And if option B).. what is the optimal size for dual fans? 10"? 11"? Smaller/bigger?
Thanks. Not particularly interested in getting in a discussion of brands per se. Just wondering which size to go with.
Thanks again!
And if option B).. what is the optimal size for dual fans? 10"? 11"? Smaller/bigger?
Thanks. Not particularly interested in getting in a discussion of brands per se. Just wondering which size to go with.
Thanks again!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Manalapan FL
I have a single 16" Zirgo which keeps my car cool (but I have an anemic 195 HP SB).
The pro's of having dual fans is you can wire each one to operate independently for different cooling situations.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
The pro's of having dual fans is you can wire each one to operate independently for different cooling situations.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Chumpzilla
Question...
And if option B).. what is the optimal size for dual fans? 10"? 11"? Smaller/bigger?
Thanks again!
And if option B).. what is the optimal size for dual fans? 10"? 11"? Smaller/bigger?
Thanks again!
Race Director
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From: Forked River NJ
From what Dewitts says you need at least 2000 cfm for most normal situations. I have no cooling issues so I am going with a single 2300 cfm fan. Look at the cfm rather than the size of the fan(s).
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I am running a bigblock and find that a single 16 inch fan is fine for most driving conditions but when stuck in stop and go traffic I need the second 16 inch fan as backup.
I could not get by with a single 16 inch fan.
I could not get by with a single 16 inch fan.
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From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
One thing they will need to know before answering is how much HP you are running. What motor?
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From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by Gordonm
From what Dewitts says you need at least 2000 cfm for most normal situations. I have no cooling issues so I am going with a single 2300 cfm fan. Look at the cfm rather than the size of the fan(s).
CFM certainly matters. But if you're blowing that air over a smaller area with a single fan... as opposed to a larger surface area with two smaller fans.... would that make a difference?
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From: Boise ID
Not quite the same...
11" * Pi * 2 = 69.11 sq in
16" * Pi = 50.27 sq in
They're close, but the dual 11's will give you ~ 3"x6" more area. It may not matter, but if you're marginal on cooling the duals will help.
sorry, I like math...
Dan
16" * Pi = 50.27 sq in
They're close, but the dual 11's will give you ~ 3"x6" more area. It may not matter, but if you're marginal on cooling the duals will help.
sorry, I like math...
Dan
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by danno12345
11" * Pi * 2 = 69.11 sq in
16" * Pi = 50.27 sq in
They're close, but the dual 11's will give you ~ 3"x6" more area. It may not matter, but if you're marginal on cooling the duals will help.
sorry, I like math...
Dan
16" * Pi = 50.27 sq in
They're close, but the dual 11's will give you ~ 3"x6" more area. It may not matter, but if you're marginal on cooling the duals will help.
sorry, I like math...
Dan
circumference = Pi * diameter
area = Pi * radius squared
(3.14 * 5.5 * 5.5) * 2 = 188 sq inches of coverage
3.14 * 8 * 8 = 201 sq inches of coverage
Edited for accuracy.
Last edited by Fevre; Mar 28, 2005 at 02:22 PM.
Pro
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From: Cary North Carolina
Thanks for the math lesson guys now try and subtract the areas of the motors since you can't draw air through a solid object.
Chumzilla,
I agree with Gordonm look at the CFM's. Also, keep in mind the biggest difference between two 11's and a single 16 is the amp draw of two motors versus a single motor.
Chumzilla,
I agree with Gordonm look at the CFM's. Also, keep in mind the biggest difference between two 11's and a single 16 is the amp draw of two motors versus a single motor.
Last edited by GATOR454; Mar 28, 2005 at 02:42 PM.
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Corey_68
My 2950cfm 16" cools by BB off just fine, in fact on cool days I turn it off or the temp will never get about 160.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I purchased a used single 16" fan for $45.00, and its been running perfect for 3 years now on a SBC. Fabricated a mount using stock flat and angle aluminum from Home Depot for about $10.00 I also recommend using Painless Wiring brand harness. Has everything you need in one kit including the temp sensor that threads into the intake.