After putting the 130 Powermaster alternator in the car the charging problems almost have gone away.

Still having hot start problems and I think I know what is wrong. I have the dual Windstar electric fans, wired through a fuse. One fan turns on with the ignition in the on position and stays on, the biger one runs off a 180 thermostat.

After driving the car for a while, when I turn the key to the on position, voltage on the gauge is at 11 or so. Car has problems starting. If I disconnect the fans (taking the fuse out) voltage goes up to 12.3 or so and the car starts no problem.

Can you help me suggesting what you thin the problem is? It looks like the fans draw current even when the car is not running but in the on position! Should I re-wire the fans to come on with certain rpms or with a manual switch (want to avoid that.)

Thanks guys.

Here is some more info.
The positive of both relays are connected to the positive of the remote solenoid, where the battery main cable comes in. So they see power all the time.
We are switching the grounds to get the relays/fans on, one is on all the time (comes on as soon as the key goes in the on/start position) the other is wired to a 180 degree thermostat.

how can I wire these guys to not come on imeediatelly (when the car is hot, putting the key in the ON position has both fans going) Is there any way to wire them to come on after the car is on, without doing it with a manual switch?

Help???

I wired the relays for my fan (Mark VIII) to one of the "ON" circuits at the fusebox. The main relay power is still coming from the battery, but the switched connection goes to the fusebox. These "ON" circuits have their power cut while the car is starting. I hope that made sense http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif By the way, I have a Costco battery and a 70 amp alternator and have no charging problems.


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Greg
'68 El Camino w/small block stroker
Best E.T. - 11.5 @ 115 (1.60 - 60')
Greg's El Camino Page w/Videos and Stuff (http://www.nuibe.com/elco/main.html)

Thanks Greg, are you switching the ground then.
I will look in my fuse box to see if I find an "ON" plug in.

Thanks again.

EDIT: No "ON" plug on the factory fuse box. Any other ideas?

[This message has been edited by yanniz (edited 08-08-2002).]

No, I am switching the 12V, not the ground. I didn't mean it was literally called "ON". I meant a circuit that gets power only when the ignition is in the "ON" position. You will need a multimeter or testlight to find it. What are you using for your fuel pump? That might work...


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Greg
'68 El Camino w/small block stroker
Best E.T. - 11.5 @ 115 (1.60 - 60')
Greg's El Camino Page w/Videos and Stuff (http://www.nuibe.com/elco/main.html)

yanniz

Just wire the positive side of the relay coil to a wire or terminal that only has
voltage when the engine is running. Shouldn't matter if you use the relay to control a power or ground circuit, no continuity on the coil and the relay wont operate...

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best regards
Importtech

thanks guys,
Greg, I see what you are saying now. I will see if I can figure it out.

Importech, I am not sure what has only power when the car is on. At my fuse panel, I have a bunch of fuses but I only have 4 plug ins (Bat, ACC, Ign, and LPS which is on only when the lights are on.) There is a "Radio" Fuse, and a Wiper fuse, but no plug in for these (if you know what I mean.)

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by yanniz (edited 08-08-2002).]

yanniz,

if you are willing to switch on the positive side, just run it to the ACC terminal. This has power when the key is in the ACC position or in RUN, but is cut off while the starter is engaged.

Tom

Yanniz,

Ron Francis Wire Works carries a Chevy "Hot Start Kit" PN HR-67. It cured the problem on my buddies electric fan set-up.

Chris & Ellen DeVrieze
'67 Malibu Wagon

Yanniz

Wire the positive side of the relay coil to the acc. position in your fusebox as Tom' stated. You can use the switching side for power or ground dependent upon how you wire it. I was bored and made you a crude bitmap drawing..
http://home.hot.rr.com/importtech/chevelle/relay.JPG

The controlled device in you case is the fan motor..you can control either the ground or power dependent upon what you want to do..
Hope this helps

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best regards
Importtech

[This message has been edited by Importtech (edited 08-09-2002).]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your help and taking the time to explain.
I will play with it in a couple of hours and see if I can get it to work.

Guys, will this help though? If it is off when the starter is engaged, does it mean that the alternator/battery will not see the load of the fans while cranking and it will work fine?

There has got to be a spot that is not active until the car is running, just do not know what that is.

Thanks

That is correct. When you turn the key to the ACC position, the relay will see 12V and close, thus starting the fan. As soon as you turn the key to START, the relay will lose the 12V power and open, thus stopping the fan. The ACC circuit is setup this way so that all available power goes to starting the car. Really, this is the correct way to wire it.


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Greg
'68 El Camino w/small block stroker
Best E.T. - 11.5 @ 115 (1.60 - 60')
Greg's El Camino Page w/Videos and Stuff (http://www.nuibe.com/elco/main.html)

Thanks Greg, I have it wired this way now and I will do some testing and see how it goes.

Thank you guys, I really appreciate all your help.