Fan controller problems. What fan controller do you use?

[josh817]

Hi guys. I stole the controller off my other Datsun which it worked just fine for years. Eventually died on my 521. I bought another one Hayden 3647 (same model) and now the relay chatters.

 

Here are the directions, and what I did:

 

Mind you, I rewired my truck so no this won't be stock wiring. Internally regulated alternator. Bus bar has 12 connections so I can easily switch what I want to be switched 12v and constant, like if I wanted my lights to only work when the key is on or something. Also keeps all that current out of my ignition switch. I oringnally had it so both the Power (red) and relay coil (yellow) were sw12V from the ignition and it had always worked fine until this new controller so I wired it up properly and took the power (red) straight from the battery. I have tried different relays.

 

When the fan kicks on the relay will chatter until the fan has enough speed to stay on. I figured its a high current draw and maybe lowering the voltage causing the relay to open but the voltage at the relay stays at 13V, plus this happens even when the motor is above idle so the alternator should really be putting out. The relay chatters even as the fan is turning off, so again I feel like that confirms it isn't voltage since the fan will draw the most power when spinning up. In this case it's spinning down, it should just turn off.

 

Ideas? Anyone using a different controller?

[uberkevin]

I just installed this today.

 

 

But sorry don't know your problem

[maltese]

You can get a nice solid state controller from Delta Current, or Flex-a-lite. They are far superior to the Hayden. Variable speed control, and they don't start the fan at full power, so no sudden high amp draw.

[josh817]

Has a lifetime warranty at Oreillys... Do hope they will refund me. Don't know why the last one worked fine and this one sucked out of the box.

[Laecaon]

Im DIYing with an Arduino. Dual fan, variable speed based on dual temp inputs, and an output for a digital display (coolant temp).

[josh817]

Im DIYing with an Arduino. Dual fan, variable speed based on dual temp inputs, and an output for a digital display (coolant temp).

Sounds complicated... The poor truck is a true RATsun and I don't deem it a candidate for a setup thats anything more than a thermostat and an adjustment. Maybe AC override like the current one has. I sent Hayden an email and surprisingly they came back very fast. The first response was "back voltage from the fan?" with the question mark. Then it was "I spoke to the engineers and since you have it attached to the alternator, we are thinking maybe a diode is going back and your getting some AC current leaking through. Try connecting to the battery. Maybe the batter acts like a capacitor/filter". I'll mess with it but honestly if I can get my money back or store credit I think I may go to a relay and a push button. The truck is good about staying cool unless you're heavy traffic so I can just switch it on accordingly. It wouldn't be high maintenance.