Hi folks, 

Back from our adventure in Scotland.

I remember adding a manual fan switch to my 84 many years ago.  I think it was the legendary Uncle Joel that posted the directions and talked me through it. 

I can see why it is useful when approaching a hill or a traffic jam but for most of us I think the system works without it and I’m going to try to avoid adding and changing things going forward unless I clearly see the improvement.

But, for the right person this would be a good modification. 

Best,

Eric Caron 

> On Mar 8, 2023, at 6:38 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> If you are connecting the switch to the wires at the radiator fan switch, the high speed is already operating a relay. For 87 and later with AC there is a large relay with a fuse link fed by its own wire directly from the battery. For the none AC and earlier vans the relay is on the fuse box.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of OlRivrRat
> Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:51 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Installing an override switch on the vanagon radiator sensor
> 
>                Dan & TWeEMBI
> 
>        Since Your Van is a ’90 You should have a 30amp fuse on that circuit so You want to have a wire that will carry @ least that amperage to the dash & back which means a 10ga wire should be used ~ Probably a safer more energy wise & professional way to do it would be let the circuit be completed via relay placed close to the Rad’ sensor/switch & then a low load smaller wire (or wires if like Me You want to control both speeds) can be run to the New Switch on the dash ~
> 
>                                                        ORR ~ DeanB
> 
> 
>> On 7 Mar , 2023, at 5:03 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks to both of you for the inputs...
>> 
>> DeanB... the T-Tap is a good idea, I will try it... Could you suggest 
>> what gauge to use from the toggle switch to the radiator sensor?
>> 
>> dan,
>> 
>> On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 3:34 PM OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>>>               Dan & TWeEIMC
>>> 
>>>       Did Just that not long after I got My 1st H2OBoxer back in ’83 
>>> & also did it to My ’90 not long after I got it in ’06,,, Mine are 
>>> connected to the High Speed circuit since My aim was to be able to 
>>> switch the fan on high as I would be approaching a significant climb 
>>> while loaded with a bunch of boating & camping gear & with a Canoe or 
>>> 2 on the roof rack & a Raft trailer with a Raft or 2 hitched to the 
>>> rear, in order to keep the Cooling System from even thinking a little 
>>> bit about heading for high temps,,, It has worked out great for many 
>>> years & I have also considered on numerous occasions about replacing 
>>> the Single Throw switch with a Double Throw switch to provide manual 
>>> control of the Low Speed as well ~ Using “T-Tap” on the wires right @ 
>>> the Radiator Sensor/Switch makes for a very simple way to do the mod’ 
>>> ~ If You are not familiar with “T-Tap” just Google it ~
>>> 
>>>                                                       ORR ~ DeanB
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 7 Mar , 2023, at 2:17 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> hi all,
>>>> 
>>>> I am thinking about installing an override switch on the vanagon 
>>>> radiator sensor so I can turn the fan ON/OFF whenever I want. The 
>>>> van is a 1990
>>> 2.1
>>>> WBX, no A/C.... in case the sensor fails.
>>>> 
>>>> Would using 2 wires from the toggle switch and attaching them on the 
>>>> 2 wires on the sensor at the bottom of the radiator work? Any risk 
>>>> or
>>> problem?
>>>> 
>>>> thank you,
>>>> 
>>>> dan
>>> 
>>>