Fans w/ tstat?

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Does any place sell computer fans with a thermostat? I am will be putting the amps under the sub box in my setup (Look at the s-10 set thread) and I want to put a fan underneath to keep them cool. I want to use a thermostat because I would forget to turn a switch off. And the remote wire is too small, I don't want to overdraw it.

Any suggestions?

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[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

For the remote wire, just use a relay. Then have a switch coming off that relay.

Seems to me like a thermostat would be $$$$$$.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

run the remote wire to a relay, then the triggered output to your amps and fans, the remote will trigger the relay to open, then your amps/fan will draw power from the battery instead of from your headunit (the relay gets power from the batt, the remote wire is just a trigger),

or just tap your fans directly into a switched ignition lead and they will come on with the ignition.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

run the remote wire to a relay, then the triggered output to your amps and fans, the remote will trigger the relay to open, then your amps/fan will draw power from the battery instead of from your headunit (the relay gets power from the batt, the remote wire is just a trigger), or just tap your fans directly into a switched ignition lead and they will come on with the ignition.

Okay...that is a pretty clear explanation of a relay. The first explanation made it seem in my mind that it would still draw power from the remote. I had no idea of how a relay works but it makes sense now and this would be the perfect way to do it.

Thanks, now I just need to find a relay but I am pretty sure I can find one.

Pos rep for you!

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

This might be something look into...I'm considering myself. Says the fan speed is temp dependent.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=SEARCH&Ntt=fan&N=200369+4294967121&Ne=303148&Ntk=All&product_code=299936&Pn=120mm_Thermal_Control_Case_Fan

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I think the relay would work cool. The more I read, it's pretty cool and will do the job. I am getting excited over learning about a relay...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Okay...that is a pretty clear explanation of a relay. The first explanation made it seem in my mind that it would still draw power from the remote. I had no idea of how a relay works but it makes sense now and this would be the perfect way to do it.
Thanks, now I just need to find a relay but I am pretty sure I can find one.

Pos rep for you!

Hey, sorry I didn't explain it better. I assumed you knew.

yes, a relay is a much better way to power accessories. It keeps the current draw on the H/U minimal and saves the life of it.

I made a post in SD you may want to look at for cleaning up the wiring for multiple items powered from the single remote-turn on wire. Thought it might help you some:

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=032377

Oh, I'm going to CompUSA soon to take a look at the fan I posted above. If I get one, I'll let you know my results.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Cool. I wasn't complaining, I didn't know what they did at all.

I have a question, can I "jam" a small piece of wire into my terminal to provide my 12v connection or is the best bet just to run a 12/14ga wire from the battery to the relay?

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I have a distro block in my trunk near everything. I just stuck in the + & - wires into the power & ground blocks. I wedged them in with the 8 guage wires coming out. You shouldn't have any trouble doing what you're asking.

 

[BoomBoomBoy 10+ year member]

Become a relay expert here:

http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

I have a distro block in my trunk near everything. I just stuck in the + & - wires into the power & ground blocks. I wedged them in with the 8 guage wires coming out. You shouldn't have any trouble doing what you're asking.

yea, this is fine

If you want I have a bunch of relays that have the plug with pigtails on them, ill ship you one for $10 and Ill write down which color wire goes to where.

I use relays for everything. I use them alot on older cars, basically using the headlight wires as a trigger and I run voltage directly from the battery through the relay to the bulbs. That way I can run higher wattage bulbs and bypass factory wiring and no worry of burning up a factory switch. If your car is old this will also make the stock lights brighter. Here is an example:

In your case you substitute the H/L wire for the remote wire and the H/L would be the ones going to your amps/fans. You wouldnt need multiple relays in you case

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

Become a relay expert here:
http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm

great link!

Relays are VERY useful if you understand them.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Can you wire fans in series if you use two?

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I mean can I use one long wire coming off the relay at position 87 (or 30 on the bcae site) and then splice one fan into it and then connect the other.

Then take another piece of wire and do the same thing to the ground?

 

[BoomBoomBoy 10+ year member]

Most 12V relays come in 20A or 30A. You can run a crapload of fans off either one since most 12V fans only draw .2 amps.