I've always heard that if you tow, just keep the stock fans. The flex-a-lites don't move as much as air as the stock unit does. But that's hearsay. Maybe someone who's had both can give you real world numbers and facts.

 

I guess one would have to know what the CFM of the stock fan is at max RPM. Maybe I can find that out.

Of course..as you said better if someone who has used one could say for sure.

 

From doing a quick search, no telling how accurate this is, the stock fans move 10k CFM.

Check this thread out... here

 

Yah I just read that too.

Also read that Flex a lite does not recommend using their fans if you tow over 10K. So ends that idea.

Not a big deal...if it turns out to be a fan clutch that is gone I have plenty of time to fix it when I do the oil cooler etc. Just a thought while I had it all apart and if the flex a lites worked it would open up some room under there.

Oh well......but then again read several threads where guys were towing heavy( supposedly) and did fine.

Not in the position to be the one guy who did not do fine.

Now the ones I am referring to also are not available yet according to Flex a lite..this was not the older setup....does this make a difference...not sure.

 

I've ran the flex-a-lite fans with zero issues along with many others. I know guys that have towed with a combined weight(including truck) of22k lbs with no problems what so ever. Even in summer time in stop and go traffic...no problems.

 

I appreciate the response...I think your responses were ones Iw as referring to in previous threads.

I know this design is new as it is not available yet.....although not sure what exactly is different from the older version unless it was that it was not made specifically for the 6.0 at the time?

Again thanks for the response!!

 

Correct...they just came out with the 6L kit. It is available right now...summit and jegs sells the 6L kit. Most guys including myself ran the flex-a-lite kit for the 7.3 powerstroke.

 

Here's mine...

 

How loud are these fans. I would imagin at idle or low speeds it would be louder than a stock fan if they run all the time?

 

Hmmm..interesting.

I suppose if I went down that road I would just keep the stock fan setup in case the electric did not work as expected.

 

Not loud at all. Can't hear them at all when driving or sitting at idle.

 

From the Flex-a-lite web site the fans supposedly move up to 6800 CFMs that's quite a bit and I would think it would do an adequate job of keeping the engine cool.

 

BPD sells adapter so you can run a 7.3 fan on a 6.0. It will only engauge when it senses a temp trigger nothing else. Sounds like you need a new clutch anyway so I'd go this route. Still uses 6.0 fans and moves same air.

 

That is another option...thanks. Going to fix it when I do the coolant flush and changeover to ELC and also need to put in a new Tstat..mines a little sticky. But can't flush with a hose at 10 degrees....outside;-)

 

The whole point is to get rid of the factory style fan and go electric for more room under the hood while still being able to maintain good temps

 

That was the original idea for sure...yes.

I still am leaning towards electrics. I think I will go this route and have a spare clutch in the back just in case it don't cut it.

 

DIY eletronic fans

I'm making my own eletronic fan setup using 4 Ford Taurus fans (or 1995-1999 Volvo fans since they are the same just thinner, both push 4000 cfm each a piece) and the throwing a code part was making me not want to do it. The part number for the emulator Flex-A-Lite made for their kit is 32274 and it tricks the computer to think that everything is okay even with the electronic fans. I found my module on eBay for 12.97, and I can get the fans at a junk yard for cheap to. That module is the only thing that made the kit unique I can build it for 200 max vs. the 700 or so to buy it.

 

Keep us posted and don't forget about the pics; because without pics it didn't happen :boldblue:

 

I'm in on this, I like the extra space added to the engine bay.

 

I also run the flex-a-lite fans on my truck. I am very pleased with them.

Installed the BPD water pump in all of 15 minutes

cruising at 85 - 90 mph at 1,000 - 1,100 EGT ~2,500 RPM my EOT never climbs above 200 degrees.
Biggest thing I like about them... When I am planning to tow or race, I wired the fans on a toggle to come on at 100%. Works like a champ.

There has been a couple times I would park and leave the toggle on. Just standing a couple feet in front of the truck, you can feel it grabbing air in. Pretty cool.

 

THats pretty sweet idea, especially if you are just running into a store for a few items and it's a real hot day.

Another thing to consider is on a hot day stuck in traffic, the stock fan can only put out X at idle speeds where these e-fans can pump up to 6800 cfm while parked. If you are above 45mph you are probably getting more airflow than that or the stock fan can pull due to being crammed through from driving.

Everyone talks about the stock fan being rated to 10,000 cfm at full speed. What's consider full speed for the fan? is it 4k rpm?

If we use 4k Rpm as the 100% duty for the fan (10,000cfm) then it breaks down something similar to this:

Engine RPM......% of 4000......Stock Fan CFM

0750......18.75%......1875
1000......25.00%......2500
1250......31.25%......3125
1500......37.50%......3750
1750......43.75%......4375
2000......50.00%......5000
2250......56.25%......5625
2500......62.50%......6250
2750......68.75%......6875
3000......75.00%......7500
3250......81.25%......8125
3500......87.50%......8750
3750......93.75%......9375
4000......100.00%......10000

Roughly 2600 rpm is where the efans and stock fan seem to cross.

Sure probably not linear and also doesn't consider airflow while driving, at which point most fans become superfluous above "x" speed.

Just shooting some rough math ideas, what do you guys think?

 

I came up with a similar "guestimate" on CFM verses RPM.

Of course all of this assumes your OEM fan EVEN KICKS ON in time.

The only situation I could see as a theoretical issue would be pulling up a long slow grade towing my 15K 5th wheel. Like the I40 from Kingman to Flagstaff. If you are chugging for an hour with the RPM's at 3K and or above in the heat then maybe the 7.3 fan mod might be better, since that fan will be on all the time....verses who knows what the stock one would be doing.

Although I have talked to a handfull of people who have been towing with these fans and so far love them. I have never heard from someone who has ACTUALLY installed them and had an issue with overheating pulling weight up a long grade...at least to this point.

I figure I will install them this year before I go west for winter. If they work then great. If I find issues pulling long grades I can always go the 7.3 mod route but I do not want to as 90% of the time the truck is not towing.

 

I know this is an old thread, with that in mind can anyone update the reliabilty, towing ability, and just how good or bad these fans work? I am considering ordering these fans and would like some time tested feedback. Thanks


Also for you that have had these awhile have you seen this:

2015 June 26
by therealcoleq

PRODUCTS AFFECTED - The Flex-a-lite products affected by this fuse holder and circuit breakers are the Flex-a-lite electric fan model number 274 and fan/radiator combination model number 59274 sold from February 2014 to May 27, 2015. Products were sold through automotive retailers, mail order, and performance distributors. Date of manufacture can be verified by the UPC Code:

UPC-Code-2

PROBLEM - Flex-a-lite has become aware that a fuse holder between the battery and fan control module was not supplied and that smaller circuit breakers should be used.

HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM - Contact Flex-a-lite to receive a replacement kit which includes the additional fuse holder and replacement circuit breakers to you at no charge (part# 32274K). We STRONGLY recommend you install the new fuse holder and replace the circuit breakers IMMEDIATELY. Failure to install the additional fuse holder and circuit breakers could result in severe damage including electric fan control module failure, improper electric fan operation, the fuse body melting or catching fire, or a car fire.

CONTACT FLEX-A-LITE IMMEDIATELY TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLACEMENT KIT AT:

PHONE: 253.922.2700 or 800.851.1510 and dial “0” for operator.

FAX: 253.933.0226 and include the ship to address for replacement kit.

EMAIL: customerservice@flex-a-lite.com to request a replacement kit,
be sure to include the ship to address.