cooling fan

[PaulG]

I was wondering about a cooling fan for when I get stuck in traffic. Whenever I try to get out of Toronto (or get back) I invariably get stuck in bumper-to-bumper 20min to 2hr log jams.  I have previously melted my choke cable because of this.  I bought a couple of fans from the wreckers last summer for about $25.  They are virtually new and are supposed to be from a 1000 Ninja or such.  (Denso PA66-GF30) 

I tried to Google them to find some specs but it looks like a fairly common motor that is used in cars and m/c's.  I couldn't find anything specific regarding amps, etc. A sticker on the back has this:

12V 10K10 <--- 60

I know one would probably do. This would be something I would use infrequently so I was thinking of a manual on/off switch.  I checked the site for related threads but only came across this one

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8100.0

The limited conensus is they aren't worth the bother, use proper jetting, or getting an oil thermostat.  The installation I had in mind was for only stop & go traffic when I am getting minimal air flow.

So my questions are:

Has anyone installed one?  Is the wiring simple enough?

Is a manual on/off switch good enough or should it be tripped from a thermostat?

Is the stock charging system capable of running this without draining the battery (I have LED headlight and taillights).  If not what would be the required upgrade(s)?

If I proceed it may be something I'll do before the season starts, or if I have to spend some more bucks for increased charging etc., it may be a project for next winter.

Thanks for any input.

[giantkiller]

I know Randy sells fans for the legend car's.

I am going to rig some for the turbo bike.

[balky1]

Just curious, why do you ride bumper-to-bumper with a motorcycle? There's a lot of space between the cars to go by. No law in the world would stop me from doing this. That's what motorcycles are for - driving by the cars. 

[4everFJ]

I also thought it was impossible to get stuck in traffic on a motorcycle (unless it has a sidecar)... 

[scotiafj]

Why not get 2 computer cooling fans .. easier to mount and to hide out the way ..

[PaulG]

Just curious, why do you ride bumper-to-bumper with a motorcycle? There's a lot of space between the cars to go by. No law in the world would stop me from doing this. That's what motorcycles are for - driving by the cars. 

Because where I live - if you split lanes - YOU DIE!  (Besides being very illegal)

Seriously.  Driving in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is a challenge at the very least.  I no longer commute to work during weekdays - 15 yrs ago it wasn't an issue.  I gave it up after having too many close calls with utter-complete-absolute-fucking-morons.  Being on Lake Ontario there are limited routes out of the megalopolis, and more often than not you will get stuck in a traffic jam. HWY 401 is the major E-W expressway through the area - it is also the busiest section of highway in North America.  Certainly no badge of honour.  It's not just bad drivers - it's the sheer volume of bad drivers.

Years ago I sometimes used to drive up the emergency shoulder so I didn't have to keep breathing everyone else's exhaust.  People would actually pull into the lane to block me.  I stopped doing it after I punctured a rear tire from a chunk of steel.

I've been living here since the early '90's and the changes have been monumental.  Most of my friends that don't live here rarely come to visit anymore specifically due to traffic.  (At least that's what they tell me  )

There have been times where I have to shut the bike off, and do the Flinstone thing and paddle along with my feet it can get so bad.  So..... that's why I was considering an auxillary fan.  It's not an everyday thing now since I don't commute.  It's more to give me some peace of mind so when I inevitably get stuck in one of these jams, I won't have to watch a puddle of molten aluminum form under my bike.

But hey, don't let this scare you!  Toronto is a great place to live.  If you like big cities.  Which I don't.  I'm only here for the work.   

[JPaganel]

I also thought it was impossible to get stuck in traffic on a motorcycle (unless it has a sidecar)...  

Just curious, why do you ride bumper-to-bumper with a motorcycle? There's a lot of space between the cars to go by. No law in the world would stop me from doing this. That's what motorcycles are for - driving by the cars. 

I don't know how Canada is in this respect, but in the US lane splitting is illegal everywhere outside of California. Aside from trouble with cops, there are drivers who go out of their way to mess with you if you do it.

[Country Joe]

I can appreciate your overheating concerns, but I don't know how you could mount those fans on a FJ and not have interference with the front fender, front wheel or forks. I second the computer fans, I can kind of see those being much easier to package.

[Pat Conlon]

My farts pass more wind than those computer fans generate.

If you want to do some fuel tank modifications (for clearance) you can try a pair of these:



http://shop.rrcperformanceengines.com/product-p/rrc-topfankit.htm

[PaulG]

Thanks for all the input.  Looks like a winter project for next year.  The brackets for the fan would probably be tossed or chopped anyhow.  Time to put pen to paper.... 

[red]

PaulG,

FWIW, Randy at RPM has a higher-capability oil cooler for the FJ, which seems to me to be one good place to install a fan or two.  If traffic jams are going to be a routine thing there, I'd definitely want a thermostat switch, and a manual switch that can operate the fans as well.  I'm trying to imagine fans sufficient to keep the FJ engine mass cool enough, but man, we'd be talking about a lot of fan power, to control all that heat.  Best wishes, there.

I would not want to put that much abuse on my FJ, personally.  I have an old but serviceable Honda GL500, water cooled, factory fans, driveshaft, and even a factory fairing with a windshield.  That is the bike I would use, if I had to deal with traffic jams every day, not my sweet FJ.  The old Honda came cheap, and it's good on gas.  Just one more option, for you to consider.

Cheers,
Red 

[PaulG]

I certainly would like to upgrade many things, but the budget isn't there. Likewise for a 2nd bike unfortunately. It's a case of scraping together what's available at the moment.

I think with some careful planning something could be cobbled together. Just have to figger out what the draw is on the charging system, etc.

If anyone had a sketch on how to wire one up it would be greatly appreciated. Electronics are not my forte.

(.... as you scream nnnnnnoooooooooo.....)   

[scotiafj]

You could try an get a fan from a dualsport bike like a klr or such like ..re power you could get a sealed 12v battery like for a house  security alarm and piggy back it to the bike battery and hide it in the tail section ..my mate has that set up on his suzi rf900 and works ok ..

[scotiafj]

On the bmw r1150 rt .. US police version they are fitted with a fan on the oil cooler ,Ive bmw r1100 as well as a fj1200 and the oilcooler on the bmw is not much larger than the one on the FJ ..just throwing in another possibility 

[scotiafj]

I certainly would like to upgrade many things, but the budget isn't there. Likewise for a 2nd bike unfortunately. It's a case of scraping together what's available at the moment.

I think with some careful planning something could be cobbled together. Just have to figger out what the draw is on the charging system, etc.

If anyone had a sketch on how to wire one up it would be greatly appreciated. Electronics are not my forte.

(.... as you scream nnnnnnoooooooooo.....)   

Easy to wire it in just 2 wires one will be earth and the other live ..jus find a live feed and connect a toggle switch inline or run a live feed from the battery add an in line fuse if you want but youve got to remember to flick it off ..and the earth crimp on an eye terminal and connect to suitable bolt ..job done