Anyone Run Electric Cooling Fans on their Pressure Washer Engines in Hot Weather?

JWBris

New member
We have been getting a lot of hot days down here in Brisbane lately, and it got me thinking about setting up and running a couple of 12" electric cooling fans to suck the hot air away from the engine, or to blow more cool air over the engine to keep it running cooler. Running the engines in a hotter ambient temperature, will cause the engines to naturally operate at a high temperature as well, and for long periods this can cause premeture wear from my understanding as the oil doesn't work as efficiently as normal because it thins down at extreme temperatures. I'm talking around 100-110 degrees and with the engine in the sun. Then add the heat from the boiler as well.
Was also thinking of going to a 40 weight oil so less viscocity breakdown in hot weather. I curently run 30 weight oil.
Any thoughts or recomendations?
fan.JPG
 
What engine are you running? There are oil coolers made for this purpose for most engine manufacturers.
 
What engine are you running? There are oil coolers made for this purpose for most engine manufacturers.
Hi Grant, I'm running the Subaru 28HP EFI and they are sensitive to heat with all the EFI gear. They have an oil cooler on board already that's cooled by the front fan.
I spoke with a tech at Subaru in the USA a few days ago and he said that engine with the electronics needs lots of free air around it to stay cool. He said the problem often arises when large fuel tanks, belt shrouds and battery boxes are all jammed around the motor because it limits the ability for the hot air to escape quickly, therefore heating the motor up.
So my theory was to run large electric fans off a car setup from a wrecker $40 to quickly pull the hot air away.
 
HAHA NO but I would like to see that! Like to see how you connect them
Hi Ty, I'm going to fabricate a frame to hold fans and then bolt them to the pressure washer housing.
I haven't decided if I will run them from the truck battery or the battery that starts and runs the pressure washer.
I will post some pics when I'm done.
 
If you can't pick up suitable fans Super Cheap have brand new 12 volt fans here in NZ so I'm guessing they will have them in Oz too. I have seen single and twin fan configurations. been blardy hot over here to mate.
 
If you can't pick up suitable fans Super Cheap have brand new 12 volt fans here in NZ so I'm guessing they will have them in Oz too. I have seen single and twin fan configurations. been blardy hot over here to mate.
Thanks for that! I hadn't thought of super cheap auto for the fans!
I welded up the brackets today so I will install over the next week and post some pics.
It's strange how hot Feb was here, and obviously you guys had the hot weather in NZ as well.
 
Brett, don't use the Subaru's electrical system to power the fan as there is a fair chance you will brunt out the rectifier. Personal experience.
Thanks Greg! I was just thinking of where I can draw the power from for the fans. Luckily the truck battery is located directly below the tray where the pressure washer is bolted down. I may also hook up a solar panel to charge the battery while the engine is off. I can mount it on top of the water tank.
Cheers
 
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