I've been talking about this for months, but finally got around to it yesterday. I installed one fan on my oil cooler, then added another today after a test wasn't quite what I expected. I won't bore anyone with why I wanted to do this, because you all know. Of course, the reason is that I don't have enough to do, and....

I decided on Vantec Tornado computer fans (80 x 80 x 38mm), which are a perfect fit for the HD Premium Cooler (26155-07). These fans were selected because they generate 84cfm output, which is the highest I could find. The average 80mm computer fan blows 20-35cfm. The problem is water, as these fans are not designed to work in a wet environment. Vantec says they won't work when wet and will short out, but I've known a few people who've tried this with other types of computer fans and haven't had any trouble. My theory is that they can get wet, but make sure they're dry when running them. At any rate, I'm still looking for some waterproof variants, and although Sunon makes some I can't find any, and Sunon doesn't seem to want to sell them. They've been less than helpful.

Basically, I installed a switch in the fairing insert (Radio Shack #275-712, $4.00), and although it works as needed it is cosmetically challenged. The shape is right to match the stock HD switches, anyway. I thought about using an HD "Spot" or "Spkr" switch, but they cost $25 and won't work any better than the $4 RS switch I installed. If its appearance grates on my nerves too much, I'll install an HD switch or something else in its place. The RS switch is held in place with a large washer that allows the nut to lock into the insert housing.

I connected the power cable by splicing into the O/R wire of the Acc. switch, which is always 12v as long as the ignition switch is on or in ACC mode. A 10A fuse is placed in-line (see pic #5). The switch is grounded, needed only for the internal light, to a grounding screw on the steering head near that location. The "load" connector of the switch goes to the fans, and rather than exposing the wires along the downtubes, I routed the single wire along the bottom of the right frame tube, under the seat, then under the tank. It takes a while longer routing it this way but you don't see it. Both red wires from the fans go into one quick connector, and it couples with the load wire. At first, I grounded the fans to one of the cooler frame nuts, but they didn't work. For some reason it isn't a good ground, so I relocated them to the right VR nut.

Mounting the fans was a challenge, but I found some 14" wire ties at Home Depot. They need to be small enough to slip through the fan mounting holes and thin enough to pass between the cooler and its mounting plate. Loosen all nuts to make this easier, and the right one needs to come off to attach a small wire holder (See pic 4). Without it the wires would dangle. I thought about making a custom bracket for the fans, but couldn't figure out a good design, so I went with wire ties. The fans aren't cosmetically thrilling anyway, so the wire ties fit that look, but that area of the bike isn't an area that your eye immediately goes to. Plus, everything is black, which helps. In reality, the wire-ties aren't as visible as the photos suggest, as the flash accentuates everything. The fans are mounted to blow the air to the rear. There isn't enough room to mount 80mm fans at the rear of the cooler, but I thought this might be harder on the fans being exposed to the constant heat. OTOH, they may not get as wet.

I tested the one-fan setup yesterday in 86° air temps, warming it up thoroughly and then subjecting it to rush-hour traffic. The oil temp rose, but more slowly than with no fan running, and peaked around 210°, this only after I let it idle for abo

 

obviously you have too much time on your hands. Ever thought about riding?

 

I think about it all the time, but it's raining today. I put 106k on my last RK in nine years, riding it through 33 states, and this new SG has 5600 on it in five months of mostly winter riding. No trips yet, but working on it. How about you?

 

I average 1500/mo riding to work and weekends. More when I take a trip. Oh those are year round monthly averages.

Have a cooler for almost 3 years now, just don't see the need to have the extra load on the electrical system or run the chance of shorting out. everything gets kicked up down there.

 

iclick

You're a pioneer my man! I have used Vantec Tornadoes for years in my computers. I use the 92mm variant that blows 119cfm.

I shop at NEWEGG.COM. Fast, free shipping.

Also to note, alot of guys that use watercooling for their computers have custom built "shrouds" for fans that keep the radiator cool.......these same shrouds would also work over your oil cooler and provide a custom, stable enviroment as they are molded to accept 2 fans just as you have setup.

I'll try and do a search to see what I can come up with as I've been out of the hopped up(exotic cooling)computer biz for some time now.

 

Mindsets like this would be content with a square wheel.

 

Another note..........some of the hi-flow fans come with a thermister to activate the fan on/off as well as control the speed..

 

What are these two working on, a HONDA/DAVIDSON? If the moco wanted another enginerd, they would only need to look here!

 

Corsair....check this out.

[IMG]local://upfiles/22226/679A73AB5CC54101B6CB01E8F95795D0.jpg[/IMG]

 

Seemed like a good idea, wonder why he deleted it.