well.. I'd think that switch is like insurance... We pay insurance and hope
we never have to use it but it's there.
When I get stuck in traffic or when I climb a loooong uphill stretch... I
like to have that switch...

Right? :-)

On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 2:35 PM Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> Right Eric. Some folks live (and/or drive) where there is a lot of stress
> on the cooling system and might need an override. But I've had two gas and
> one diesel Vanagons that never took the needle over the middle of the gauge
> unless something was wrong. But then again, I don't live near a mountain
> range and I don't haul heavy trailers. For years I thought a little temp
> rise on a steep hill was normal, but since replacing my radiator five years
> ago, I don't even get that.
>
> Jim
>
> On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 8:55 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > 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
> > >>>
> > >>>
> >
>