You only need the relay for the highest speed setting, since that is the
only one that uses full voltage through the switch, or so I've been told.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 6:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Attn: Electrical Gurus! (I searched archives)

Hi Matt.

Thanks for all that info.

I'm always impressed with how much the list knows and contributes!

I had heard of someone thinking of using a relay in the circuit a la
the headlight upgrade. But as you said it then becomes one relay per
speed. Kinda what I thought would happen.

I decided to go with stock. (See previous posts) In fact I just got
back from parts place with new switch. Picked up new wiper shaft
assembly, but am still waiting on bushings for brake pedal.

Brake pedal bushings??

I should know better. What started out as new fan, and wiper stuff has
become oh so much more!

This is getting to be like a kitchen/bath reno on a heritage home fer
cryin out loud!

Neil.

On 3/30/07, Matt Roberds <mattroberds@cox.net> wrote:
> > From:    neil <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> > Date:    Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:46:27 -0700
> >
> > As a last resort, I would install a toggle (SPDT?) and wire it for
> > an "off" "low" and "high" setting.
>
> A SPDT center-off toggle switch would probably do what you want.
>
> > What are the stock fan speed switches rated at?  12V DC, but how many
> > amps?
>
> Only VW knows for sure.  One way to guess is to look at the size of the
> fuse for the fan motor circuit - buy a switch rated at least that much
> and you can't go too far wrong.  If you have a multimeter with a 20 A
> range, you could set it up for that, turn the fan on "high", and pull
> out its fuse.  Then put the meter probes in the fuse socket in place
> of the fuse (the fan should start up again) and see what it reads.  Look
> for a switch with an equal or better rating.
>
> > Has anyone else found a better "mousetrap" in terms of a better
> > quality 3 spd. fan switch?
>
> One thing some American cars do is use a relay to connect the fan motor
> directly to the battery for "high".  This means the switch doesn't have
> to carry the full current of the fan motor.
>
> If the problem with the VW switch is that it tends to burn out
> electrically, rather than break mechanically, you could extend this
> theory to having the switch run relays for _all_ speeds.  You'd end up
> with a big wad of relays under the dash somewhere, but at least most of
> the electrical load would be off of the switch.  If the switch tends
> to break mechanically, you're SOL.
>
> I have also seen ready-made remote switches that might work.  These have
> a box with a relay that goes under the dash and does the heavy lifting.
> Then they have a tiny switch panel on the end of a thin wire - the panel
> looks nice and it's easier to hide the thin wire.  Some of these are
> just one-circuit on-off but you might be able to get something fancier.
> Try a local car stereo/car alarm shop to see what they have.
>
> You might also look in a "generic" hot rod catalog like Summit or Jeg's.
> There might be a switch for street rodders that you could use.
>
> NAPA might be another source.  They carry some "generic" electrical gear
> for big trucks and old vehicles that you might be able to use.  It won't
> be cheap but it's usually pretty decent stuff.
>
> Matt Roberds
>
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil