cooling fans

[scott7d]

scott7d, Do you keep yours on all the time or just flip them on in slow/stop and go traffic? Thanks

During all slower speeds and stop-n-go conditions, the fans are on unless I've only been riding for a short period of time. For example I won't turn them on just getting out of my neighborhood or for the first couple stoplights after starting the bike.


From what I understand the fans do not have much of an effect at speeds above 50mph, a member posted that here somewhere after some testing. Once the bike is up to temp, I've been using that 50mph reference as my general rule for turning them on. I'll sometimes forget to turn them off which I'm sure doesn't hurt anything, but also probably doesn't help when I'm going 65+mph on the highway, either. However; if oil temps are too high at that speed, there may be an underlying issue of some sort in which fans in that case would just be a band-aid.


That whole "system" in which I use these may sound like a hassle, but it's programmed in my brain at this point. Kind of like using turn signals, just becomes automatic. The worse case scenario like I mentioned is that I just space out and forget to turn them off once I get on the highway.

[Chippitt68]

I have the mitey mites. I have a power vision mounted on handle bars. Almost immediate temp reduction from sitting at light to about 50 mph, after that, I've seen no effect on temp.

[No Cents]

I have the mitey mites. I have a power vision mounted on handle bars. Almost immediate temp reduction from sitting at light to about 50 mph, after that, I've seen no effect on temp.

  I have noticed the same thing on mine. 
Once I'm able to get moving at a good clip again, and I don't see any more stop and go traffic ahead I'll turn the fans off.

[1workinman]

I have the mitey mites. I have a power vision mounted on handle bars. Almost immediate temp reduction from sitting at light to about 50 mph, after that, I've seen no effect on temp.

  I have noticed the same thing on mine. 
Once I'm able to get moving at a good clip again, and I don't see any more stop and go traffic ahead I'll turn the fans off.

I leave mine on . I have seen the temps go as high as 230 but that is with ambient temp in the high 90s and riding 2 up at over the posted limit of 75 . I run 93 or what ever fuel I can get. To be honest I not sure what is to high . I generally see 200 or so

[No Cents]

  It probably doesn't hurt to let them run all the time.
I've shut my bike off many times and get reminded real quick that I forgot to turn them off. They do move some air.
  I believe the Wards fans with the thermostat set up would stay running even after the bike was shut off to cool the heads down. Once they hit a certain temperature the fans would shut off automatically themselves.

[mrmike]

Yes that is correct, the T-stat makes life easy they turn themselves on and off and I especially like the cooling continuing after engine shut down.

Mike

[klammer76]

Was looking at them at a display booth at Americade last weekend. Was impressed with the air movement of the mity mites. I have a 2002 FLH so would have to use the horn mount as no frame mount is available for my year. For those running them, any issue with breakage with just the horn mount? Does it move the horn outboard and any issue getting to the compression releases?

Any installed pictures from you guys?

Thanks for any info or pic's

[No Cents]

   I don't have manual releases...but here is mine mounted on the horn bracket.
I never really noticed the horn sticking out any further.

[attach=0]

[klammer76]

   I don't have manual releases...but here is mine mounted on the horn bracket.
I never really noticed the horn sticking out any further.

[attach=0]

Looks good

[speedzter]

Being an obsessed DIY'er , I recently bought one of these fans with the intention of fitting
it to the horn bracket.
I know a lot of the kits usually supply glorified computer cooling fans, but these are a purpose built, waterproof unit that last in any condition ( same as on my KTM 950).
Just need to get keen to make the mount !

https://webstore.spalusa.com/en-us/product/0697/products/fans/4-fans/30103018/va32-a101-62a-4-p-12v-sum.aspx

[harley_cruiser]

Being an obsessed DIY'er , I recently bought one of these fans with the intention of fitting
it to the horn bracket.
I know a lot of the kits usually supply glorified computer cooling fans, but these are a purpose built, waterproof unit that last in any condition ( same as on my KTM 950).
Just need to get keen to make the mount !

https://webstore.spalusa.com/en-us/product/0697/products/fans/4-fans/30103018/va32-a101-62a-4-p-12v-sum.aspx

Cool, are you going to put a housing over it?
That is a puller not a pusher, you need to let that in mind when you mount it.

[speedzter]

Yes, I thought I could just reverse the polarity, but the blades are specifically curved for efficiency in one direction.
You can buy either version though.

As it turns out, It will make it easier to make a cover, as the flat mounting surface will face out, and the "exhaust" air
will blow toward the motor.
Also the "exhaust" air appears to have a wide spread, that should work well in this application.

[Moparnut72]

Some fans you can turn the impeller over to push or pull depending on what you need.
kk

[roadkingdresser]

is there a reason nobody has mentioned the lenale fan? I put one on my r-king a few yrs. ago and I'm impressed at how it works. I have it installed with the thermostat, but have a manual switch I can turn it on. I'm really impressed that in stop and go traffic the engine never stumbles.  a little pricy,  but worth it.

[Bikerscum]

They come with better accessories too.

[attach=0]

[PoorUB]

They come with better accessories too.

That looks way too expensive for me!

[Paniolo]

They come with better accessories too.

That looks way too expensive for me!

Looks very high maintenance too.

[roadkingdresser]

I didn't think I needed all the extras that came with the fan. the one I have is sometimes way too much maintenance for me!!

[harley_cruiser]

Being an obsessed DIY'er , I recently bought one of these fans with the intention of fitting
it to the horn bracket.
I know a lot of the kits usually supply glorified computer cooling fans, but these are a purpose built, waterproof unit that last in any condition ( same as on my KTM 950).
Just need to get keen to make the mount !

https://webstore.spalusa.com/en-us/product/0697/products/fans/4-fans/30103018/va32-a101-62a-4-p-12v-sum.aspx

Cool, are you going to put a housing over it?
That is a puller not a pusher, you need to let that in mind when you mount it.

Yes they make in a pusher.
https://webstore.spalusa.com/en-us/product/0697/products/fans/4-fans/30103009/va32-a101-62s-4-p-12v-sum.aspx
I think I would use the pusher, less turbulence around the motor, and you could use a piece of 1/4 aluminium plate for the mount on the horn bracket. I would make the cover out of carbon fiber, and make deflectors aimed straight and sideways into the tunnels behind the spark plugs. Use stainless wire mesh over the end. I wonder if one three inch would have enough flow.

[fontana302]

Here's mine

[KB]

Love Jugs had fans first, but their fans were big, gawdy and ugly .....(yes, that is my opinion only).

I followed Jason on the other forum as he designed, built, tested, and then produced HIS version of engine fans. Much smaller, and far better looking.. actually compliment the twin Cam engine (yes, that is my opinion only).

During the days of competition between Jason & Love Jugs, Love Jugs actually bad-mouthed Jason's design. They claimed Jason's fans can't, and don't, work as well as their design. They also "mentioned' their patent they claim covers any, and all, designs of engine fans...

Now, Jason is no longer in business and Love Jugs sells a fan model that is an exact replica (oh yeah they claim it's better) of Jason's design... a design that Love Jugs maligned... except it doesn't have an optional thermal switch like Jason's.

Jason is silent on this, and Love Jugs claims they have no knowledge of what happened to Jason, but offer his design (of course, they don't call it Jason's design) as a response to customer demand....

Look at the two fans and make up your own mind...

I have an early set of Jason's fans, with his early thermal switch. They have performed flawlessly on my '12 Limited and now my '16 Ultra Classic......

As for Love Jugs......  They lost my respect, and my business, when someone representing them (don't remember the person's name, but he had an Official Love Jugs title on his posts).. posted angry comments and threw hissy-fits when anyone posted a negative opinion of his fans... very unprofessional, and childish.... turned me right off..
[/quote]

I too have one of Wards fans. The thermo switch is the go. Even the Love Jug copy of the Wards fan fails to meet everyone's needs. I have a CVO grey motor, I prefered the colour matched fans as they aren't noticeable whereas the chrome would stand out and black is a mismatch so Love Jugs is a poor copy - in my opinion.