Kenlowe fan relays

[CAPP0]

Whilst not exclusive to Classics, I guess that aftermarket Kenlowe fans are more likely to be fitted to classics, hence asking the question here!

My v8 Defender has a pair of Kenlowe fans fitted, which were on there before I bought it and by the look of it have been there some time. Generally the fans don't cut in very often, if at all, but they were required last week and one of the fans decided not to play. When I had a look, it seems that the relay is sticking - a sharp tap brings the fan back to life.

It turns out that Kenlowe themselves don't deal with the public/aftermarket sector any more, so I can't get any help from them. Does anyone have any idea what spec of relay I would need to replace the dodgy one? At a guess I'd say a 20A normally-open would do the trick, but wondered whether anyone actually knows the spec, or has a relay they could read the details off for me?

Thanks.

Edited by CAPP0 on Wednesday 25th April 10:52

[lowdrag]

I can't answer your question, but every time i see anything about aftermarket Kenlowe fans I ask - are they attached through the radiator matrix? If so beware. They chafe and create leaks.

[CAPP0]

lowdrag said:

I can't answer your question, but every time i see anything about aftermarket Kenlowe fans I ask - are they attached through the radiator matrix? If so beware. They chafe and create leaks.

I don't think mine are but I'll check. I've had it several years now and not noticed any issues/noise.

[Yertis]

I'll have a look at mine tonight – I don't think the relay is anything special, just the usual Durite box. I guess they might vary from application to application. Regards Lowdrag's comment re fixing, mine is bolted up next to the rad on a couple of stout brackets. But I've seen some really dodgy Heath-Robinson Kenlowe installations over the years, so someone fixing through the matrix wouldn't surprise me.

[lowdrag]

Kenlowe supplied them with plastic ties which you threaded through the matrix and back again. A disaster waiting to happen. I have a Cool Cat on the E-type which bolts in place of the two-bladed windmill, and which moves 2,000 cu/ft per minute. And far cheaper.

[HealeyV8]

I'd get a 30amp five pin relay, these are pretty standard so relatively cheap Bosh is a good make.

[CAPP0]

HealeyV8 said:

I'd get a 30amp five pin relay, these are pretty standard so relatively cheap Bosh is a good make.

What's the 5th pin for? The relays on mine only have 4, two for the coil and two for the contacts?

[paintman]

On my 3.5EFi RRC.
Still fitted with its original single relay which is a Lucas SRB525.
Relay connections:
30 is live in
85 from thermal switch
87 live out to both fans - instructions are quite specific that the wire to each fan is to be crimped together at this connection,
86 is earth.

Terminal 87a isn't used.

Fans must be fitted with the cable entry point between 4 & 8 o'clock as it also acts as a drain & breather.

Mine are the type that come with a DIY rod & clamp affair & make no contact with the radiator.

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 25th April 17:38

[CAPP0]

paintman said:

On my 3.5EFi RRC.
Still fitted with its original single relay which is a Lucas SRB525.
Relay connections:
30 is live in
85 from thermal switch
87 live out to both fans - instructions are quite specific that the wire to each fan is to be crimped together at this connection,
86 is earth.

Terminal 87a isn't used.

Fans must be fitted with the cable entry point between 4 & 8 o'clock as it also acts as a drain & breather.

Mine are the type that come with a DIY rod & clamp affair & make no contact with the radiator.

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 25th April 17:38

That's interesting, mine are definitely wired separately via two relays. The feed from the thermal switch must be common I guess.

Perhaps I can just do away with one of the relays then.

[TooMany2cvs]

CAPP0 said:

HealeyV8 said:

I'd get a 30amp five pin relay, these are pretty standard so relatively cheap Bosh is a good make.

What's the 5th pin for? The relays on mine only have 4, two for the coil and two for the contacts?

One's normally-open, one's normally-closed. Four pin would do for a fan, but definitely bog standard relays would be just fine.

If there's two fans, you can relay 'em separately (each relay switching one fan) or jointly (one relay switching both). Obviously, the relay's gotta handle twice the current if they're joint. The other possible for two relays would be if it was a two-speed fan.

[88v8]

They draw a lot of current. Notice how the engine slows when they're running? I'd stick to two relays.

V8

[paintman]

The argument for keeping them separate is that - as you have found - if one relay or fan fails the other should still operate.
Not a lot of extra wiring.