Toggle Switch and SPAL Fan

[pgermond]

Any of you guys experience any problems with running your SPAL fan off the toggle provided by Unique? Yesterday, coming home from the Nor Cal breakfast in near 100 heat, I flipped on the fan but the toggle felt a bit odd - like no clicky-clicky. The switch is DOA.... just wondering if the current for the fan is to much for these toggle switches over time (3-years). Temps in the low 90's mañana, so I plan on replacing it with one of the spares.

Just curious.....

[Naumoff]

Lucas switches are very delicate.

It shouldn't have a big draw as my SPAL fan came with a relay but I did get the thermostat switch and that harness came with a relay.

If you don't have a relay for the fans I would install one or two.
The relay coil has a small amp draw and the relay takes the heavy load of the fans.

[pgermond]

Tony,

No relay... direct connect. Any specifics on the relay?

Thanks in advance.

[bstandley1]

Phil,

I bought a Bosch SPDT 20 AMP relay to use my Spal Fan on Ebay for around $5.00 . I found the following diagram as a guide http://www.ado13.com/techs/relay.htm
Hope this helps ...

Bob

[Naumoff]

Phil,
I bought relays for my headlghts from the local auto parts store in the fog light area. They are very good quality and come with a wiring diagram.
They will work on the fans.

[Jeff 427]

Phil,

I got the relay and wire kit from Spal. I ran the wire inside the loom from Unique and used the factory toggle switch.

[eliminator]

I changed all of mine to Lucas just because.....

Unless Unique has changed they do not use the Lucas Switches. Anyway it dosn't matter if they are Lucas or some other manufacture the life span is short, (3-4 years) on most. I am sure that if they are used a lot it might be shorter. I keep a spare on hand in the garage. The fans are toggled a lot and that switch seems to go first, my first one made it 4 years and about 5,500 miles.

[JeepSnake]

Phil,

First, Rick is correct on toggles - none of them seem to be really high quality. Gives you a real warm & fuzzy feeling when you start thinking about how many toggles are in airplanes, ships, and other fairly critical machinery...

Second - you really need to go to a relay for powering the SPAL, if for no other reason than to get the rated performance out of it. With the two OEM fans running on the car, I think I remember reading something like 10.75 V at the leads on the motors. So, hooking the SPAL straight to that would have dropped voltage more, and it wouldn't generate its full flow. Instead, I just spliced in to the OEM fan lead for the trigger wire on the SPAL relay, then pulled the actually fan power straight from the alternator connection with a #10 (I think?).

Good luck!

[pgermond]

Thanks for all the input..... I'll work on it today.

[davebetts]

I added the Spal to the original "egg beaters", all three run when I switch the dash toggle. No issues, worked for three years now, switch feels good, but a spare would be smart.

[pgermond]

I added the Spal to the original "egg beaters", all three run when I switch the dash toggle. No issues, worked for three years now, switch feels good, but a spare would be smart.

That's the set-up I have no issues for 3+ years, then nothing, nada, fineto. I should consider myself lucky since this is the only thing that has died on me while on the road.... no problems with the ignition switch, master cylinders, clutch slave, etc.

[Tony Radford]

I've also got three fans (including 16" Spal) running through one of the dash toggles. I've been running it for 3 or 4 years. Maybe my time is near. Seems like a reasonably heavy duty switch though.

[olblu66]

i just used a 40amp relay that carries the load. The switch carries 12 volts and no amps to run my puller fan and pusher fans , lights and etc. The relay carries the load.

[Tony Radford]

Pat, you up for the Dave and Buster's car show this weekend? It's the 29th.

[olblu66]

ya tony but its going to rain probably

[rosco]

Funny,

I read this thread yesterday and later in the day, took the car out for a spin. Guess What - my fan switch failed!!! Noticed the temp climbing at the light with the switch on... Fortunately, I was close to my destination and changed the switch (exchanged wiper for fan)

The Car is almost a year-old and I do use the toggle (fan) often... I guess I need to buy spares...

Thoughts on any upgrades out there?

Thanks,

Gino

[spd4me]

My 2004 289FIA was prewired with an extra circuit in the fuse box for a 20 amp. I ran my extra spal through it and and new toggle on dash and haven't had any problems.
Bob

[RJacobsen]

Is anyone out there eliminating the toggle completely by useing a temp sensor and relay to run the fans? or is that to modern of a convinience for these cars?

[pgermond]

Rod,

Lots of guys use sensors..... I just prefer the toggle.

[Naumoff]

I use a sensor but have the toggle as a back-up.