Thanks for the replies to my cycling concern. I have the Fan Fail Fix 2x2, and upgraded breakers, so I should be in good shape there. I should probably wait for hotter weather before I complain about cycling, becuase the outside temp was only in the mid to high 60's when I encountered the fast cycling. I suppose I should wait for an 80 degree day and see what the cycle time is then. Paul --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Harold McElraft" <hmcelraft@...> wrote: > > I see numerous responses to your concern. The one thing you should > definitely be concerned with is the frequent cycling of the cooling > fans. This could lead to an over heated fan circuit stopping the > fans and causing engine over heating. > > Unfortunately the fans are designed OEM to cycle precisely with the > AC compressor. I say unfortunately because if the AC system does > become low charged or develop another issue to cause rapid cycling > of the compressor, the fans will rapid cycle too when you have the > AC on. The cycle of the fans with the AC compressor is completely > independent of the otterstat used for engine cooling although the > fan circuits for both are integrated starting at the circuit breaker. > > The fans are what I would call "utility" quality. They are designed > to work in extreme conditions - to do this, their design is anything > but efficient. To start each fan requires 20 amps + or - a few > depending on the condition of the fans and the electrical system > connections, grounds, etc. This compares to 11 to 14 amps to run > each fan once started. As the saying goes - "you do the math". The > constant starting of the fans is extremely hard on all components of > the circuit and soon leads to a failure of the weakest part in the > circuit - usually the OEM circuit breaker (a 35A standard duty > circuit breaker with "pressed" connections) or the OEM blue module > (notorious for poor quality inside) or the single relay (20/30 amp > rated ? that means 30 amps start 20 run). If you beef up one thing, > another component will soon fail ? maybe in flames. BTW the motor > will be the last thing to go in my experience. > > All of this has been the topic of discussion ever since the DeLorean > was introduced. As new in Houston (where I started 1982), a daily > driver soon experienced "fan fail" and eventually, virtually > everyone did. > > So, what to do? My suggestion is have the AC shop do a full service > on the AC system including replacement of the orifice tube and > accumulator. Alternatively, as a minimum, have them do an evacuation > and refill with the proper amount of gas (say 2 to 2.25lb of 134 > gas ? AZ 2 lb NJ 2.25 ? just my approach). A proper functioning AC > system will cause minimum cycling of the AC compressor and therefore > the least amount of stress on the cooling fan circuit. I still use R- > 12 (2.25 ? 2.5 lbs of gas) > > Next, get one of the vendors' fixes for the cooling fans. Zilla is > by far the best vendor package offered in my opinion ? I have no > idea if you can still get one. Or, get Hervey's set up from SpecialT? > the Dual 2X2. Or, install the DPNW modification (the least > expensive but effective). I'm not a big fan of the wire jumper > modification unless you replace the under-rated relay (Hervey may > still have the higher rated ones ? 30/40). > > Last, be sure all connections for the fan circuit are checked and > clean ? especially the grounds attached to the frame on the front. > > Another BTW - the rapid cycling is usually an indicator of low gas > or a restricted system (probably at the orifice tube). Normal > minimum cycling on a cool day is probably off and on every 5-10 > seconds - on a hot day cycling could range from 30 seconds to > rarely. To get an AC system to function correctly takes the correct > tools and a knowledgeable technician with the correct specs. > > Harold McElraft - 3354 > > > > --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "sweetp01569" <paul.sweet@> wrote: > > > > While my car was in getting lowering springs and shocks done, I > asked > > the mechanic to check out the AC. He said it seemed to work fine. > it > > blows cold air and is not leaking anywhere. However, the constant > > cycling of the cooling fans worries me. The fans will stay on for > only > > two seconds, and off for about 5 seconds, on and off on and off. > > Wouldn't this cause excessive wear on the fans to energize them > every 5 > > seconds, and they only stay on for 2 seconds? It doesn't seem > right. > > The cycle tiem seemed to be longer last year when I had it charged > in > > August. I have the R134 conversion. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Paul > > > To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/