Fan control - Modwise meltdown!

[jacjac]

Three years ago I had a Modwise fan control unit fitted to my Griffiths 500. The unit seemed to be very logical with the fans kicking in at half and full speed controled by thermostat's - great! That is untill the whole lot melted on a recent endurance rally to Corsica. Closer inspection revealed a hock-poch mess of an auto electrical nightmare. What a mess - amazing it held together for so long.
Fortunatly I also had a manual over ride fan switch fitted which, once I had chopped the modwise unit out of the system, worked perfectly, as long as I watched the tempreture gauge.
Question is: Can anyone recommend a unit that does the same thing but is well soldered together, and will not melt when the heat is on ?

[kbear]

I replaced the single stage otter switch for a 2 stage one with three legs - VW Golf item from memory, fitted perfectly. All I needed was a small box with a few relays sitting by the Radiator to toggle the fans between off, on in series (slow) & on in parallel (fast), the box was driven by the new two stage otter switch.

Dead simple and very reliable. Let me know if you need more info.

[Barreti]

God there are some smart people on here.
Nice one kbear.

FWIW, I've had my modwise dual speed fan control since I first bought the car, and its been just fine.

Would a kenlow (or similar) controller unit work? They are readily available from fleabay.

[David Beer]

How Dare You! You could at least make contact with me (David Beer of Mod-Wise)before you make a public and defamatory posting.

Each kit is made by hand and inspected before sending out. Please return the kit for investigation with your original invoice for a full credit. But in the meantime maybe you will have the decency to contact me about this matter before posting further ambiguous complaints about my products.

[Johno]

David Beer said:

How Dare You!

Please please please tell me you were stamping your foot when you typed that

It is a fair point though, I imagine Jacjac didn't realise you frequented the forum David and let his fingers get carried away.

As Barreti's post highights, many satisfied customers of yours on here . .

[spend]

As soon as folks start chopping wires and joining them with choc blocks, scotch terms, insul tape.....

The number of horrors committed even from pro's on electrics is amazing (alarm installers can be the worst).

Probably nothing wrong with Davids kit, but by and large I think it is putting a loaded gun into the hands of children in far too many cases. Trying to assess the capabilities of 3rd parties to install electrical stuff is pretty impossible IMHO, but I still struggle to see why so many can be meticulous with other things but the brain goes out of the window with simple electrical wiring/circuits?

[Johno]

spend said:

As soon as folks start chopping wires and joining them with choc blocks, scotch terms, insul tape.....

The number of horrors committed even from pro's on electrics is amazing (alarm installers can be the worst).

Probably nothing wrong with Davids kit, but by and large I think it is putting a loaded gun into the hands of children in far too many cases. Trying to assess the capabilities of 3rd parties to install electrical stuff is pretty impossible IMHO, but I still struggle to see why so many can be meticulous with other things but the brain goes out of the window with simple electrical wiring/circuits?

Couldn't agree more, that's why when I installed the Emerald for example I had an absolute star with wires make my engine loom and ancillaries loom up with everything I needed, as although I'm capable, most of us I would guess simply do not have the kit to make up wiring looms properly . ..

[Del 203]

Quinny said:

Speaking as a Modwise, 2 stage cooling kit, hot start kit, and boot opening kit user...I've never had a single problem.....

But then again I can read and follow simple instructions, and fit these items as the manufacturer intended

[Englishman]

Even I managed install DB's excellent hot start kit a couple of years ago. And I didn't even need my degree in Physics to do it

[Aussie John]

If a fan had seized then a meltdown would be possible if the fan supply was taken from an unfused point [maybe alternator]. There has to be a lot of current to melt the soldered joints. Sounds like a possible dodgy install to me!

Edited by Aussie John on Friday 19th November 19:31

[Aussie John]

Hi Quinny, I don,t know David Beer nor do I have any of his bits on my Griff but I have only had good vibes from the many many posts regarding his mods. and if I was in the market I would be ringing him.

[rigga]

Quinny said:

Well, if it were down to dodgy manufacture, I suspect these forums would be awash with tales of woe relating to these Mods eh

I also suspect this is the case ..... hotstart kit was already fitted to my car when i got it,but i have fitted the modwise boot opener and it was and is a great bit of kit,nothing about its build worried me at all .

[David Beer]

Thanks for the positives, we are in private mails at the mo, we shall see if more info comes to light. I make a living from my soldering iron(not mod-wise). So it needs sorting, even if the post is some 6 weeks after the "said failure". Also the poster says he has binned the kit so can not confirm it was even mine! I supply bits and instructions of how to do and cautions for "quality and installation".

[spend]

Is it this that we are talking about?

The connectors on that would certainly put me off allowing it anywhere near a car of mine.

[ray von]

spend said:

Is it this that we are talking about?

The connectors on that would certainly put me off allowing it anywhere near a car of mine.

Swing and a miss there Dave

[5.0ltr]

All I have fitted is the hot start kit, does what it says on the tin and guarantees the car starts when, err... Hot! Something it did not always do beforehand, sorry back to topic, just a hand of support
(Oh BTW Dave, my mates wife has got a Figaro, got any 2nd hand stereos? LOL.)

[Del 203]

Quinny said:

David Beer said:

I supply bits and instructions of how to do and cautions for "quality and installation".

Plus answer queries and give help on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays


Sorry about that

Nope never done that


I even called for help with a unrelated elec fault when i was in France and David talked me through a fix

[jacjac]

Wanted to add a concluding post. I have had numerous email exchanges with David at Modwise. The conclusion is that although the fan control system was professionally fitted by a TVR Specialist it was probably done incorrectlty which probably led to the unit failing. Dave has kindly agreed to supply me with a replacement in the New Year which I will ensure is fitted by the book.

[Alexdaredevilz]

David Beer said:

How Dare You!!