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Choosing the Best Flex-a-lite Fan Controller for Your Vehicle

Choosing the Best Flex-a-lite Fan Controller for Your Vehicle
Posted in: Electric Fans
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Choosing the Best Flex-a-lite Fan Controller for Your Vehicle

Flex-a-lite fan controllers are much more than just a relay for your electric fans. They turn the electric fans on and off, most of them provide the ability to adjust the temperature at which the fans turn on and almost all of them take the place of relays that other brands of fans require. Many of our Flex-a-lite electric fans include a Flex-a-lite fan controller already, but the fans are also available without any controls. Here's a breakdown of what each of our controllers do so you can choose the one that's best for you...: The Adjustable Temperature Sensor is Flex-a-lite part number 31147. In addition to acting as a relay, it lets you vary the temperature at which the fan or fans turn on from approximately 180-240 degrees Fahrenheit with a simple knob from. It uses a stainless steel probe that inserts in the radiator fins to sense engine-coolant temperature. This module is rated to manage 20-amps at fan start-up. The Flex-a-lite Cooling Control Module is ideally suited for many Flex-a-lite single fans such as the Trimline, LoBoy and Lo-Profile product lines.  The Cooling Control Module is Flex-a-lite part number 31149. It provides the same function as the 31147 Cooling Control Module with a higher amperage rating (40-amps at fan start-up). It also has an integrated air-conditioning control which turns the electric fan on whenever the air conditioning is on. The Flex-a-lite Cooling Control Module is ideally suited for any Flex-a-lite single fan, and can be also be used with some of our lower-amperage dual fans such as part numbers 330, 365 or 412. It should not be used with fans that draw 28 or more continuous amps, such as Flex-a-lite part numbers 290, 295 or 480. The Variable Speed Control also acts as a relay and lets you vary the temperature at which the fan or fans turn. Additionally, it sets the fan speed from 60-100 percent, depending on the coolant temperature. This reduces the electrical load when the fans first start, and only draws the amperage needed for the temperature of the engine coolant. This controller also keeps the fan or fans running for 30 seconds after the key is turned off. This module is rated to manage more amperage than the Cooling Control Module; 45-amps at fan start-up. There are several part numbers available: Part # 31163: Variable Speed Control with the threaded sensor Part # 31165: Variable Speed Control with the stainless steel temperature probe The Variable Speed Controllers can be used with any Flex-a-lite electric fan; single or dual. Additionally, we offer two versions of the Variable Speed Controllers with a feature that we call Quick Start: They start the fans at 100 percent power instead of varying the power to the fans between 60-100 percent. Part # 31173: Variable Speed Control -- Quick Start with the threaded sensor Part # 31174: Variable Speed Control -- Quick Start with the stainless steel temperature probe All of our electric fans are designed to work with our Variable Speed Controllers – both single and dual fans. You only need one fan controller for Flex-a-lite dual fan setups. Auxiliary Switch (Flex-a-lite part # 31148) lets you control or override the electric fan function. This switch can be wired to turn on a fan regardless of the engine temperature (overriding the temperature control feature in the Flex-a-lite controller) or it can be wired to turn the electric fan off (useful for water crossings during off-roading). The switch has a 10-amp rating, and it can be used with Flex-a-lite controller part numbers 31149, 31163, 31165, 31173 and 31174. At Flex-a-lite-blog.com, you can learn how to install an adjustable thermostat fan controller, complete with a video.