Has anyone fitted a Bluebird Customs heat booster fan?

[matt-me]

Do they improve the hot air flow alot? Have checked all my pipes and clips etc. Just looking for an improvement in heat in van when driving....

Thanks

 

[Stirlingmoz]

I think these fit in the pipes that duct the cold air from the front grille into the cab via the plastic adjustable vents on the extreme ends of the dash.

They will increase the flow of cold air but may not give the extra blast of hot air you are looking for.

The hot air only comes out of the vents on top of the dash (on my van anyway).

Stirlingmoz

 

[matt-me]

Thanks Stirlingmoz but they cut into the main heat pipe which runs under the van, under the belly pan.

I am really hoping someone may have fitted one already and can let me know what improvements they make. I am guessing it greatly enhances the flow of air from the heat exchangers thus not allowing the air to cool to quickly en-route thus bringing the hot air to the front quicker (so it doesn't lose as much of its heat on the way) and with much more force. That's what i am guessing but really want to hear if someone can confirm.

 

[uber cool]

wonder if you could use a 5volt fan out of a computer to do the same things?

 

[Joval]

wonder if you could use a 5volt fan out of a computer to do the same things?

I doubt it would move enough air...

 

[uber cool]

yeah, true.. rubbish idea. However just give me an idea for a knackered eberspacher I have!

 

[mjknight71]

...i got a type4 engine bay fan to fit to mine.......have been told it will shift more air than the heat exchangers can heat........

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

...i got a type4 engine bay fan to fit to mine.......have been told it will shift more air than the heat exchangers can heat........

This is the best option. It's just been done to a split at work and is quite effective. Obviously heat output is dependant on how good your heat exchangers are anyway. Just remember to block off the outlets on your fan housing.

 

[matt-me]

Where does the type 4 fan fit, same place in the heater tube underneath?

Also Prof, which outlets on the housing do you mean, just to be clear. Can probably work this one out when i look closely at engine but can't do it for a while.

Thanks all

 

[Araon]

In the engine bay, its routed to the heat exchangers hence the need to block the fan outputs

you can see it in this image

 

[matt-me]

Thanks for image, much appreciated

Right, so the outputs from the fan are done away with completely. The fan is mounted where you show it, and it takes the place of the fan doing any of the work, as far as heating is concerned??? if this is correct, I need longer tubes to get through below to the heat exchangers from this position?

 

[mjknight71]

.........if the electric fan is used to replace the engine cooling fan and fitted to blow air from the engine bay through the heat exchangers. You then need to block the two output from the engine fan housing or it will blow air around the engine bay....I have heard a rumour blocking these will increase engine cooling :?

....the downside will be you get no air flow when the electric fan isn't running :evil: ....my cunning plan :roll: was to 'y' to link both the electric fan output and engine fan output through the heat exchangers...thus you get engine fan air flow then you can boost as required....

 

[thepotz]

The way the booster fan works in my '72 type 4 engine, is both the fan AND the engine blow through the heater boxes. My heat works great until temps reach 0, then the air is just too cold to be warmed by the heater boxes. I went through and plugged any holes in the heating system with aluminum foil tape wrapped at the joints. This helped the heat tremendously. my next heat upgrade will be wrapping j tubes with copper 1/4 tubing and running coolant via small 12v pump to a small heater core from an 84 camaro and mounting it where the speaker goes in the dash w/ a large cpu fan or similar to blow air thru the heater core.

 

[matt-me]

Hmm.. Might just try and get some of the foil tape and some proper lagging from some of the subbie laggers at work, for the main parts to minimise heat loss as you say. I have checked most of the joints etc.

mj - like the 'y'ing idea, now I get the drift, double bubble as it were, but are we getting too complicated??

Thanks anyway guys - now got to try and find a type 4 fan to go this route, or...bluebird looks a pretty simple option, and the effect should be the same, only sucking the air, rather than blowing.

In effect we are saying the principle works though, which is good..

 

[mjknight71]

this did make me giggle :roll: ....a new take on camping with a camper :shock: ....I always thought the person would used the tent...not the bus.... :wink:

I think types 3's had fans sometimes too...more of a figure of "8" than a "S"....type4 fans are cheaper than Bluebirds...think I paid £15...... :mrgreen:

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

You then need to block the two output from the engine fan housing or it will blow air around the engine bay....I have heard a rumour blocking these will increase engine cooling :?

Probably does to be honest. If they aren't blocked off the engine will over heat.
Red bull cans are the perfect size to fit over the outlets on the fan housing :lol: