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keep blowing Relays...............e-fans

Old 10-18-2006 | 12:19 PM
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Default keep blowing Relays...............e-fans

I keep blowing relays using my efans, is there something better I can switch too? Kinda sucks when your truck starts overheating because the relay took a **** and the fan didn't come on.

What is a solid state relay? any better?
Old 10-18-2006 | 02:52 PM
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I had the same problem, started looking for a soft start controller then just gave up and went back to a clutch fan. Are you using 30 or 40 amp relays? I saw in another thread somewhere that when the fans fire up on high they can spike draw up to 70 amps, thats gotta be what is doing the relays in. I believe in stock applications the fans do some kind of soft start.
Old 10-18-2006 | 03:04 PM
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What harness are you running... if you can get me a pic of the plug... i can see if i can match one.... should be running no lower than a 40 amp relay...

a 70 amp spike wont hurt it, as long as its a spike... no longer than a second
Old 10-18-2006 | 03:56 PM
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if you keep killing relays because of too much amp draw then just use two or more relays, then the amps will be divided among them
Old 10-18-2006 | 05:47 PM
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I used 2 40 amp relays never had a problem.
Old 10-18-2006 | 08:28 PM
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its a nelson harness, comes with three 30/40 relays
Old 10-18-2006 | 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by moregrip
its a nelson harness, comes with three 30/40 relays
I'm running a Nelson harness with no problems. You sure you got dat **** hooked up right?
Old 10-18-2006 | 09:11 PM
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they definately spike higher than 30 or 40. we had to run 60A in my brother's truck.
Old 10-18-2006 | 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by redwagon
they definately spike higher than 30 or 40. we had to run 60A in my brother's truck.
hmm, never seen one of those....................I wonder if the fact that I'm running a 105 alt has anything to do with it.
Old 10-18-2006 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by moregrip
hmm, never seen one of those....................I wonder if the fact that I'm running a 105 alt has anything to do with it.
I would think if anything that would help. More amps to battery = higher voltage in battery available to fan motors = less amps being used by motors = less load on relays.

Cheapest, and easiest fix is to run 30 Amp relays in parrallel. Then the spikes will not go over max load, and obviously normal running will be way under. That would last forever if good qualitly relays.

Or if you wanted to get really caried away, use a starter solenoid. But that would be overkill I think.

All of this should not be necessary though. No one else is having issues. Maybe just verify with an amp clamp the draw on system, then verify all is hooked up good, verify good grounds and battery connections. Those cause a very high load on wiring and would cause amps to increase.

Good luck man!

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