The install directions gave a few steps to verify you connected things properly prior to start, testing and adjustments. Basically you test a few connections with a voltmeter. Once you do that you start the vehicle and ensure the system is working. First I check the Fail Safe. When turning on the failsafe the fans should kick on and ramp up to 100%.
As indicated by the full set of led lights and the fans were turning at full spped:
After that check, I turned the A/C on after turning off the fail safe. It comes preset to operate the fans at 100%. I adjusted the fans down to 70%:
I will continue at 70% for a few days, but it appears 70% is plenty - no drop off in cooling sitting at lights in traffic or idling in my garage. I may drop it down another 10% and test that setting. Then you adjust the operation of the settings so the fans come on when required. This takes a little patience and tweaking to get what you want. Basically you use a laser temp gun and measure the bottom of the radiator hose (black dull surface) to set outflow temp 15-20 degrees below the engine thermostat temperature. You push and hold the "hot" button if you want hotter temperature or the warm button if you want cooler temperatures. Once you get the temperature set to the way you would like it - the controller will remember where you set it. After a good 30-45 minutes in 98 degree heat, I finally tweaked it to my liking. So sitting in my garage idling the fans will slowly start up at 10% (barely on) then 20% to 30%. A picture at 20%:
I took it out for a spin and driving around normally with the windows down (turned the A/C off) and pulled over a few times to check on the fans and they were not truning - which is normal and expected. Then drove it pretty hard and pulled over a few times and the fans were turning at 30-50% - which is normal and expected. I kept the hood open for a few minutes the last run and the fans dropped down to 30% then 20% then 10%. If it was not so frigging hot I'm sure it would have dropped to 0. Drove it home calmly and pulled in my garage, popped the hood and the fans were not on. Sat at idle for a bit and the fans then start to slowly turn again. I'm going to hook up my scan tool tomorrow and look at the actual temperatures as I finish tweaking my adjustments.
All tucked into its spot:
I'm quite happy with this controller and the flexibility it provides. Looking forward to testing it while I'm towing.
As indicated by the full set of led lights and the fans were turning at full spped:
After that check, I turned the A/C on after turning off the fail safe. It comes preset to operate the fans at 100%. I adjusted the fans down to 70%:
I will continue at 70% for a few days, but it appears 70% is plenty - no drop off in cooling sitting at lights in traffic or idling in my garage. I may drop it down another 10% and test that setting. Then you adjust the operation of the settings so the fans come on when required. This takes a little patience and tweaking to get what you want. Basically you use a laser temp gun and measure the bottom of the radiator hose (black dull surface) to set outflow temp 15-20 degrees below the engine thermostat temperature. You push and hold the "hot" button if you want hotter temperature or the warm button if you want cooler temperatures. Once you get the temperature set to the way you would like it - the controller will remember where you set it. After a good 30-45 minutes in 98 degree heat, I finally tweaked it to my liking. So sitting in my garage idling the fans will slowly start up at 10% (barely on) then 20% to 30%. A picture at 20%:
I took it out for a spin and driving around normally with the windows down (turned the A/C off) and pulled over a few times to check on the fans and they were not truning - which is normal and expected. Then drove it pretty hard and pulled over a few times and the fans were turning at 30-50% - which is normal and expected. I kept the hood open for a few minutes the last run and the fans dropped down to 30% then 20% then 10%. If it was not so frigging hot I'm sure it would have dropped to 0. Drove it home calmly and pulled in my garage, popped the hood and the fans were not on. Sat at idle for a bit and the fans then start to slowly turn again. I'm going to hook up my scan tool tomorrow and look at the actual temperatures as I finish tweaking my adjustments.
All tucked into its spot:
I'm quite happy with this controller and the flexibility it provides. Looking forward to testing it while I'm towing.