While digging through my bag of old PC parts, I found a small 12v heatsink/cooling fan that I want to mount on my VP44 control module.

1) What kind of glue should I attach it with, or should I just try to put it on with tie straps?
2) Where is a good "key-on" place under the hood to plug it in?
3) What size fuse should I put on the wire?

Thanks,
CR

 

1) you should use that white paste stuff that you would use like on a gm HEI ignition control module so that you get good heat transfer to the heatsink, then I would use some sort of tie strap or screws or something.

The rest don't know, but the fan won't pull much amperage, 5amps should be plenty.

 

They make heatsink epoxies

 

Go to Radio Shack or the like and find a similar fan and get the rating from it. I would guess less than 1/2 an amp draw. Are there any wires atttach to the fan. Use google and search for wire current charts. When you find out your load and your lenth of wire the chart will give exact gauge. I would say that 18 gauge would be over kill for what your trying to do. The fans wires are probably closer to 24 gauge anyway.

Randy

 

Hmmmmmm, just thought of something. This little sucker is DC and probably won't work anyway.

I think I'll stop at the parts store today and see what I can find. This hot weather really cuts down on my trucks perfromance.

 

Ummm.....isn't your truck's electrical system 12VDC?

Rusty

 

Batteries are DC! I assume you mean AC. If it is a computer fan or something similar it most likly uses DC. It could be 5 volts instead of 12 like out trucks. I would imagine there is a label somewhere on it.

Randy

 

Sorry folks....I seemed to have had a brainf**t.


It is 12v DC, 0.84 w.

 

You could wire that sucker up to the batteries, with a switch inside the cab to turn it on/off....even if you left it on at 0.84W it aint gonna hurt nothing.

BTW....that little fan is gonna draw a whopping 0.07 amps!!!

 

I thought about a switch, but if I can't remember the difference between AC and DC, how can I remember to turn a switch on and off.

This is a good example of how it is sometimes slow getting help, but quick for some to tell you what a you are.

 

Hmmm, I thinking timer. Keyed on and run for an hour after shutdown. Rumor has it that it it heat soaking after S/D that is killing the module. A timer from radio shack should not be to expensive.

Randy

EDIT: everyone is running turbo timers. A VP is just as expensive and much less durable.

 

Good idea! If I get it to work, I'll persue the timer idea.

 

Ok, use the heatsink goo available at electronics stores, it increases heat transfer but a significant margin. You can use the stuff used for processors, after that secure it well, and wire it up to an ignition power source, so while the truck is running it is on.

A timer circuit would be really easy in fact I think if you already have the turbo timer you should be able to make it drive the fan as well.

 

So blowing the hot air from the engine compartment onto the heatsink is going to cool it off....

Actually it will to some degree, for sure. THe CPUfans are 12vdc and very very little current draw. What you might want to do is see if you can mount a larger heatsink/fan IE like an 80mm fan and sink to it, you'll blow a lot more air and cool better than a dinkly little one. Go for a P4 or suck HS/fan combo.

 

When you figure it out, write an article complete with pics and part numbers, and submit it to the 'Articles' section through Top.
Probably plenty of guys would be interested
Mike