Electric Fans

[manta22]

Does anyone use an electric radiator fan on his LSR car? I realize that at speed there is plenty of air going through the radiator to dissipate the heat but what about cooling off during the return or running the engine in the pits or during a warm- up in the staging lane?

I'm trying to decide if it is worthwhile to mount multiple 12V fans on my radiator.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Well, Neil -- not precisely the answer to your question, but bikes have electric fans and they work like you expect -- not during a run, but for sure after the run has ended.  I usually shut off the engine when coasting down for the return road -- and then turn the ignition back on to let the fans cool stuff while waiting for someone to fetch me.  I expect that's how car fans would be used, too.  Anybody with car experience?

[Stainless1]

Neil, are you going to circulate the water without the engine running?  if so then the fans may help cooldown if you get the chance to hot lap.

Warming up should not require a fan, are you planning a thermostat?  It will help warm up.... we warm a little, let the motor heat soak, then warm again when it is our turn to run while waiting for the track to be ours... We do not run a radiator any more, found it didn't do much in our situation.

[kiwi belly tank]

Use a thermostat & a fan with a radiator. Thermostat to speed warm up & fan to prevent overheat.
  Sid.

[631]

I started out with a big 12v fan on the Mclaren and then took it off as it was not needed at the salt or the open road races.  It is nice to have the option to put it on for tooling around town or a slow start line at the Silver State where you move up under your own power.  Once you are 30 mph or better it is just propeller drag with proper airflow.  Mount it up so you are all ready to go for a ride on Saturday nite!  Rex

[Dynoroom]

I had a customer in the GT class who had/used a large electric fan. It failed (came apart) at speed (230) on one run putting a hole in his radiator.
Maybe it was old, damaged, or???

Just something to think about IF the fan is in the air stream.

[Glen]

We have a 4 fan cluster  fan radiator mounted as there is no air passing through the radiator After the run the driver leaves the fans run for a few minutes. This is on the 444 Vesco liner.

[redhotracing]

We run dual electric fans on our /BFALT as there is little air
flow running through the radiator. As others have written, it
helps cool everything off after the run, if nothing else. This
is on a wet sumped car, so we don't have the luxury of oil
warm up prior to a run without getting hot water, as well.

[manta22]

Thanks for the valuable suggestions, everyone. I think what I'll do is provide mounting points for an aluminum  panel with 4 to 6 Nidec TA-600 fans mounted on it so I can quickly fasten the assembly on to the radiator if I find that it is needed. I'll also need to add a connector for the 12V fan circuit.

My original plan was to use a single large fan ( Flex-a-Lite 150), if necessary, but the ducting on it is too large. I'll probably sell it.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Buickguy3]

   Here's another twist. We were told in tech that in Gas Coupe we would have to remove the fans as they were considered:"blocking" the radiator air flow and creating an advantage by forcing the air around the front of the car.
    Doug 

[manta22]

   Here's another twist. We were told in tech that in Gas Coupe we would have to remove the fans as they were considered:"blocking" the radiator air flow and creating an advantage by forcing the air around the front of the car.
    Doug 

Doug;

That's a strange rule.... 

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[jacksoni]

   Here's another twist. We were told in tech that in Gas Coupe we would have to remove the fans as they were considered:"blocking" the radiator air flow and creating an advantage by forcing the air around the front of the car.
    Doug 

this would suggest that a stock fan and shroud as delivered from factory would be illegal. This would apply in Production as well. Somehow I don't think this is the intent of the rule and if told that would bump to chief inspector etc.

[Buickguy3]

       I think that the inspector that looked at the car [our Jag] viewed it that when the fans were not running they effectively were restricting air flow through the radiator like a smaller core would do and would give an advantage. We removed them and never missed them. Not sure they were really necessary above about 35 mph any way.
      Doug 

[jacksoni]

       I think that the inspector that looked at the car [our Jag] viewed it that when the fans were not running they effectively were restricting air flow through the radiator like a smaller core would do and would give an advantage. We removed them and never missed them. Not sure they were really necessary above about 35 mph any way.
      Doug 

OK, but many cars now (maybe all of them) have electric fans and they surely don't run all the time. I count this as an interpretation not supported by the rules, but that's just me.

[Rex Schimmer]

My bet is that an electric fan probably is not a restriction when not running. I would bet that the fan "windmills" when it is off and the car is at speed, which gets me to Mike LeFevers' comment about an electric fan exploding at 240 mph. Maybe you should be concerned that at high speed and with the fan off it may be windmilling at a speed far above its' rated rpm which could certainly cause it to explode. Maybe you should have the fan in the on position if you are running fast as the fan motor during windmilling will probably act as a generator and being connected to the car battery could possible keep it from exceeding its' design speed. Plus you would be charging your battery! A hybrid Bonneville car!!! What next ?

Rex