When choosing a cooling fan for your vehicle’s radiator, you have two main choices: Mechanical and Electric. Electric fans have several advantages over mechanicals, such as:
- Consistent cooling – they sustain their airflow continuously.
- Minimum water pump deterioration.
- Versatility – you can fix them on the front or behind the radiator.
- Various sizes and designs – you can have them in diameters up to 20 inches as well as in single- and dual-fan setups.
- Fitment – electric fans with slim profiles may mount to places where you cannot fit belt-driven ones.
- Control – they allow you to adjust them through the thermostat or from your driving seat.
On the other hand, mechanical fans work through engine rpm and aren’t very efficient in an idle state. They also get power from the engine and reduce your fuel economy rating.
Now that we have established that electric cooling fans are better than mechanical ones, the question arises, which one is the best? Here are some factors to consider while choosing an electric cooling fan for your vehicle.
CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) – Max Airflow
Most fan motor manufacturers rate cooling fans by horsepower and airflow rate. It is wise to pick the one that rates equivalent or higher than your car’s power output or airflow needs. For example, a 1000 CFM fan will push 1000 Cubic Feet Per Minute.
Here are minimum cubic feet per minute (cfm) ratings for your guidance:
- 1,250 cfm for a 4-cylinder
- 2,000 cfm for a 6-cylinder
- 2,500 cfm for a 8-cylinder
Bear in mind that mills with 5.0-liter (302 cubic inches) or bigger displacement should possess an electric fan with 2,800 or more cfm. Evidently, a powerplant with 900 horsepower will require more cooling than a 500 horsepower mill, irrespective of cylinder numbers. You will find that many China car cooling fan companies will rate their products by recommended horsepower to aid you in getting the appropriate amount of airflow.
Push vs Pull
An electric cooling fan can either push or pull the air through the radiator. A pusher-style fan resides in front of the radiator and blows air via the radiator core as the vehicle moves forward. Alternatively, the electric pull fan goes behind the radiator and pulls air via the radiator. It poses a lesser effect on airflow at fast speeds than an electrical push product because it sits behind the radiator. It is why a puller fan offers extra cooling than a pusher fan. While the puller fan is better than its counterpart, you can’t install it if the space is short.
Diameter
As you have already determined the minimum CFM needed, placement is next. For this purpose, get rid of the previous fan and shroud to correctly measure the radiator’s diameter and its space from the engine. Subsequently, determine the radiator core and pick a fan covering the maximum area. Mostly, a dual-fan would be better since the shroud will draw air via a bigger section of the radiator than a single fan. Lastly, determine the gap between the radiator core and the nearest engine part to know the exact size of the fan you need.
Single or Dual Fans
While a single fan would be enough for a compact car, a dual-fan would probably be better if you have an SUV or a sports car creating high power output. Usually, turbo and supercharger engines require extra airflow, so it is wise to select dual fans for such powerplants.
Straight Fan Blades and Curved Fan Blades
The disparity between the straight and curved blades passes down to noise versus airflow. Straight fan blades shift extra air but are loud. Alternatively, curved ones are more silent, but they don’t push as much air as their counterparts. Therefore, it is up to you whether you want more air or less noise.
Fan Shroud
Your vehicle must have a fan shroud to ensure maximum airflow via the radiator core. It makes sure the air goes through the core and not around it. You should always install a shroud along with the electric fan; otherwise, it will not be effective at all.
Current
Another thing you should consider while choosing an electric cooling fan is the Current; the more flux the fan gets, the higher will be the airflow. A highly robust electric fan would be able to pull air via a multi-row radiator and air conditioning cores. Ensure to have a highly efficient sealed motor to avoid pollution from grime and water. It is the only way to get hassle-free performance for years to come.
Things to keep in mind
- Avoid employing an electric fan as the primary unit on a 4-core radiator. This way, you will overburden the fan while attempting to pull air via the restrictive radiator.
- We recommend covering a minimum of 70-percent of the radiator core by the fan shroud.
- We also suggest you employ a puller electric fan (fixed at the back of the radiator) for main cooling and a pusher-style fan (set in front of the radiator) as an auxiliary fan.
Bottom Line
While installing your electric fan, it is wise to use a relay kit. We suggest a kit with or without a stainless steel electronic sending unit. The sending unit gives you automatic control of your electric fan. Just pick a sender with the on/off temperatures according to your requirements. Besides, you should know if your vehicle needs a brushless or brushed cooling fan. If you are unsure, get in touch with an automotive radiator cooling fan company.
By reading out these tips, we hope you will be able to select the best cooling fan supplier for your car’s radiator. You can thank us years later with a sound radiator helping your vehicle propel in all weather conditions.
Sources consulted:
https://journal.classiccars.com/2019/03/08/how-to-choose-an-electric-fan-to-keep-your-radiator-cool/
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2012/08/14/fan-club-how-to-choose-an-electric-fan-in-4-easy-steps/
https://www.flex-a-lite.com/blog/how-to-choose-an-electric-fan/
https://www.holley.com/blog/post/how_to_choose_an_electric_radiator_fan/
