Spal fans
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 30
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From: Shawano Wisconsin
Spal fans
I just recv'd my SPAL fans for my '80 L-48. I am curious with others that have put these on there vehicles, where did you mount you relays and run the wiring? I am just wanting some ideas so that I have a good idea before I start running the wires! Thanks in Advance!
BDCMPNY
BDCMPNY
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
This is my own fan shroud with 2 SPAL fans :
With the relays ( rated 70A each ) at this location, you can't see them too much as soon as the shroud is in the engine bay :
More recent pictures with new alternator in "My Corvette Photos"
With the relays ( rated 70A each ) at this location, you can't see them too much as soon as the shroud is in the engine bay :
More recent pictures with new alternator in "My Corvette Photos"
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Dec 8, 2008 at 10:18 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
I just recv'd my SPAL fans for my '80 L-48. I am curious with others that have put these on there vehicles, where did you mount you relays and run the wiring? I am just wanting some ideas so that I have a good idea before I start running the wires! Thanks in Advance!
BDCMPNY
BDCMPNY
The picture below shows my setup with the recommended wire gauge and junction/distribution point. I have since replaced the SPAL controller (which predictably failed!) with another relay - works great.
Looking at 3 wires at the left of the junction - bottom is connected to the Horn Relay distribution tab, the top 2 wires go to the 2 fuses (right above the junction), then down to the relays (just to the right of the junction). I brought the original power wires up to the relays (no splices down low) and attached the fan grounds to the radiator mount.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
They are not very easy to see, but if you look to the right of the steering column and below the master cylinder you can see the two relays mounted to the fire wall. I tried to keep them out of site yet accessible. From there I just ran all of the wires in loom with the head light wires. It kept things neat and clean.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
73,
That's a super nice looking design!
Have you had that in there for a while? I would have thought that the relays would have needed some kind of shock mount to dampen the vibrations. Have either of the relays failed ... because of vibration?
That's a super nice looking design!
Have you had that in there for a while? I would have thought that the relays would have needed some kind of shock mount to dampen the vibrations. Have either of the relays failed ... because of vibration?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
These are my twin 13inch Spal amp eaters mounted on a BeCool rad 
In the very top corner above the alternator is my adjustable fan controller, it is the white box
The black box with the white label above the control arm opening are the ttwin relays
In the very top corner above the alternator is my adjustable fan controller, it is the white box
The black box with the white label above the control arm opening are the ttwin relays
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
I already tried to put my hand on the shroud with the engine and the two SPAL fans running and it doesn't vibrate too much.
But it is true that the shroud itself is mounted with foam-rubber to dampen the vibrations that could be transmitted by the fans to the radiator.
If they fail in the future, it will be easy to mount new relays at the same place with little shock mounts for electronic devices without having to modify the wiring.
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Dec 9, 2008 at 03:35 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
IN GENERAL, relays are specifically designed with silver contacts that 'scrub' on the make and break action...which is why they are somewhat convex on the surface, if you look really close...
the action of the moving armature is controlled to make it slide over the fixed contact point....
MOST external vibration will only act to 'cleanse' the contacts through removing oxidation....polishing.....
the stuff you learn in high school....
(should have, anyway).....
Well, for a guy, chicks....well they study something different, so that makes us alive....
the action of the moving armature is controlled to make it slide over the fixed contact point....
MOST external vibration will only act to 'cleanse' the contacts through removing oxidation....polishing.....
the stuff you learn in high school....
(should have, anyway).....Well, for a guy, chicks....well they study something different, so that makes us alive....
