Disassembling viscous fan

[MattF]

Well, spent half of today delving in scr*pyards. Picked up a couple of
electric fans, which I think are suckers, not blowers, to try instead of the
viscous fan, if they work. Both are GM units with an alloy shroud and approx
14 or 15 inch blade diameter. First question. Both have a different blade type.
One is like a 5 blade version of the viscous fan, broad blades, whilst the
second one has several finer curved blades with a rim around the outer edge
of the blades joining them in a wheel type shape. Which of the two designs is
theoretically better at shifting air?

No problem with the ex-viscous fan by the way, but I'm just curious now as to
whether an electric fan is a viable replacement.

Off on a tangent, it's not until you look at other vehicles that you realise how
sturdily the Toyota's are constructed. Saw some Isuzu's, Cherokee's and some
RR's, I believe, and not one of them held a torch to the Surf for ruggedness.
Especially the Jeep. The build quality of those are pathetically bad.

[stormforce]

It'd be a bugger to tow the caravan with though.

always get the misses to push aswell

[Chillitt]

what you need to do, is hook up the fans to a battery and see which one makes the best hovercraft, and use that... hours of fun!

[MattF]

Another thing I meant to ask, does anyone know why some electric/viscous
fans have staggered blades, i.e: not all blades are evenly spaced around the
hub? I would've thought it would have caused an imbalance, but there seem
to be quite a few vehicles with this design. Just curious.

[MattF]

always get the misses to push aswell

I could see that suggestion leading to a subtle reply from his Missus.

[stormforce]

I could see that suggestion leading to a subtle reply from his Missus.

As long as she don't try to find me and give me a good kick in

[MattF]

what you need to do, is hook up the fans to a battery and see which one makes the best hovercraft, and use that... hours of fun!

A sucking fan would act like a limpet mine, surely. Gives me an idea
of what to do with the one I don't use though. Just remember, it's your
fault when I have my first hover board accident.

[MattF]

As long as she don't try to find me and give me a good kick in

[stormforce]

if she can wait for about 6 or 7 months then i might be able to run away but at the mo there's no chance.

I think i ought to keep my mouth shut till then to give my self a chance

[Chillitt]

A sucking fan would act like a limpet mine, surely. :

well 3 years at hovercraft school suggests that in that case, turn it over....

[MattF]

if she can wait for about 6 or 7 months then i might be able to run away but at the mo there's no chance.

I think i ought to keep my mouth shut till then to give my self a chance

The way John's luck is running with vehicles, whatever transport she took
would never last the journey. You're safe.

[stormforce]

The way John's luck is running with vehicles, whatever transport she took
would never last the journey. You're safe.

pheeeeewwwwwwww

[MattF]

well 3 years at hovercraft school suggests that in that case, turn it over....

Ooh, does that mean you're a hovercraft boffin? Guess who's brain I'll be
picking.

[MattF]

Right, just tested both of these fans, and they both seem pretty well
matched. The five blader seems slightly more powerful, but seems
to throw the air out directly behind it. The seven curved blade one,
however, seems to throw air out behind it in a wider arc, which is
why that one may seem a bit less powerful. The seven blader wins
on the noise front, being quite a bit quieter. The 5 blader however
appears, not sure of the IP rating of either, to have less water ingress
potential due to a more solid appearing case. The motor on the seven
blader is a Bosch, whereas the five blader is unmarked.

So, the important bit. Suggestions as to which one you all think I
should experiment with. Opinions greatly appreciated.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Fit one in front of the rad, and the other in the middle of the bonnet!