Thermostat / temp switch question

[KellyBass]

Greetings,

I just finished ordering a 210F thermostat switch from Rodney Dickman's...based on some reading I've done here about lowering the coolant temp by cycling the fans more often. The only thermostat that I seem to find readily available is the stant unit recommended here. It's rated at 180f/82c . Is this a proper thermostat for use with the switch? Will I experience some issues?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[BFG in the BRG]

I tried doing this and used a Rodney Dickman low temp switch - it never turned the fans on - just be careful when you test it and be ready to turn the engine off.

I do use a "water wetter" though - Comma make it as do many others - it lowers the surface tension of the water and leads to more efficient and effective cooling so the needle drops - which is nice.

Also apparently the needle moves a lot for a small rise in temp so things aren't as bad as it looks.

Probably all of this is useless for you since I haven't answered your question because I don't know the answer but it would make sense for the thermostat to open at a lower temp that the fans are due to come on and then it diverts flow through the radiator so it cools - otherwise the fans would have only cool water to cool.

Anyway I'll stop now and hopefully someone who can give you a yes or no answer

BFG

PS this is before I have drunk some wine,scarry eh

[steve matthews]

Kelly, this is the set up I have.
190 or 195 thermostat, Rodneys 200 to 210 switch.
New improved fans with more cfm and less amps.
Fans kick on at little under 1/2 on temp gauge.
Fans switch off at little under 1/4 on temp gauge.
Fans are silent and quick to cool. Half the time of the OEM.
Very pleased and comfortable in traffic.
Steve

[KellyBass]

Thanks for the great tips, guys!

That's pretty ironic, I've been fighting an unusual surface tension issue at my work (in a totally unrelated-type situation) for about two weeks now. I've been battling it with various types and viscosities of wetting agents...so, I'm all over the wetting agent suggestion! I think It's a good idea and I'm definitely going to investigate it more.

I very much like the sound of your setup, Steve. Less amp draw would be nice! A fan kick-in at 1/2 is just what I'm looking for. I'm a little surprised at how hot this (stock setup) motor is allowed to run before the fans kick in...hotter than I would like in Oklahoma summer heat, for sure.

Steve, do you recall what brand of 190 thermostat you are using? I'm not having any luck at the local parts stores...even with the Isuzu stuff. Are your fans roughly the same size as the stock ones? Do you recall approximately the CFM? Are they brushless? Sorry, I'm full of questions tonight. But I'm determined to whip this high temp thing before the 100 degree days set in. I've got about a month.

Thanks!

[rip]

Have you run your engine through it's fan cycle with Elanscan hooked up? The ECU should be able to give you more accurate readings for engine temp than the dash gauge.
Like BFG, I have been told that the variation in temp between 1/4 & 3/4 is actually quite small.

[steve matthews]

Kelly, The thermostat just came from auto parts store for R-S turbo.
The fans check out http://www.absoluteradiator.com/FanStore.asp
Maradyne 10" low profile 950 cfm @ 7.9 amps.
Steve

[KellyBass]

Thanks guys!

The Thermostat came from the corner auto parts store? The Isuzu RS turbo one? I've seen that one...on their shelf. Something is wrong, Steve...that's just too easy. It's just got to be more complicated than that!

Why, why, why do I search for ways to make things more difficult than they really are!?

It must be from all those years working on Triumph motorcycles. Obtaining the proper parts can be very tricky..but god, how I love them.

Once I get the T'stat and the switch installed, I might just splurge for a pair of those fans. I like 'em!

It's great to know that the temperature differential from 1/4 to 3/4 is a small one. In my head, I'm thinking it's like 300 F, or something! Now I feel like I can actually take it up that high and not melt the heads...at least long enough to run ElanScan and get some hard numbers. Thanks, RIP!

[KellyBass]

Success! I replaced the thermostat with a 180 degree and installed the 210 degree switch and the fans came on when the temp gauge was just one tick under 1/2 and shut off at on tick above 1/4 Awesome! Now I realize that the fans came on for the first time since I've had the car (4 weeks). I know this because when they came on, I had to look to see if there was a fire truck driving by or something. They squealed something terrible...but loosened up quick and sound fine now. All this really makes me want to order those cool fans Steve was mentioning and finish the job proper...especially since the bumper's off at the moment.