In theory one could split the load having a dedicated circuit for fan.
Not sure exactly how. But for sure you would need to know what gauge
wire and what fuse is needed. IIRC it's basically a few wires from
fan/resistor inside box to switch etc. You might be able cut in there
and establish a new circuit with dedicated fuse. I wouldn't reccomend
it though especially since electrical isn't my forte!

If you haven't already done so, check your grounds. On my  81 there is
a ground "star" at the driver side up above fuse panel where fan
grounds to. Poor grounds, and corroded points at fuse connections can
create resistance in a circuit. Not positive if that would contribute
to a blown fuse though.

FWIW, half the job of putting in a new fan is *possibly* dealing with
cleaning up any glue or whatever at join on heater distribution box
and rebuilding (if needed) the flaps with new foam.

Not that you needed to know that --- ;^)

Neil.

--
Please send me your Vanagon/Westfalia links!
http://vanagonlinks.googlepages.com/home

Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

On 8/10/07, Wesley Pegden <wes@cs.uchicago.edu> wrote:
> Yeah, my vents work fine when I'm driving, but it's still nice to have
> access to the fan sometimes for low speeds (and it will become more
> important in winter, probably....)
>
> Yes, I do believe I have the correct fuse (red one... sitting here I
> forget which size that is)
>
> I know I can probably fix it by replacing the fan.  As I understand it,
> this is a huge job (disassembling the dash).  Plus, the fan doesn't make
> noise (like it does in my passenger gl) so it seems like it's not too
> far gone.
>
> I guess one thing I'm wondering is whether there's an electrical
> solution to this problem (wiring the wipers/blower fan to separate
> fuses) that would hold me over until I'm ready to take the dash apart.
>
>
> Thanks!
> -Wes
>
>
> neil N wrote:
> > If your heat exchange box and cables are working right, I *think* you
> > should be able to direct fresh up to windshield while driving. So in
> > theory, you could leave the fan off while driving at a reasonable
> > speed.
> >
> > One reason the fan *may* be blowing the fuse, is because it's old,
> > working harder than it should and trying to pull more through the
> > circuit.
> >
> > Is the correct size fuse in place on that circuit?
> >
> >
> >
> > On 8/9/07, Wesley Pegden <wes@cs.uchicago.edu> wrote:
> >
> >> My heater fan blows the fuse occasionally.  It doesn't make noise or
> >> anything, just blows the fuse.  Wouldn't be such a big deal if the
> >> wipers weren't on the same fuse.  Is there anything to do here either
> >> than take the dash apart to replace the fan (ughh...) or stop using the
> >> fan altogether (especially in rain)?  Has anybody wired the fan/wipers
> >> to separate fuses?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Wes
> >> '83 1.9l westy
> >> (and '84 gl)
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>