Community Forums

nodine · 11-24-2011, 05:08 AM

I have been reading about the Source Fan and the Horton fan clutch. I understand that the Source Fan can be installed by a do-it-yourself person, cost less, and does not require ECM programming by Cummins. What bothers me about the Source Fan is the reduction in engine braking. I was wondering if those who have had the Horton installed with the OEM fan have also noticed a reduction in engine braking or does Cummins program the ECM to engage the Horton full on when the exhaust brake is applied?

Thanks,

Bob

Our Time · 11-24-2011, 06:03 AM

Good question Bob. We have the Horton fan clutch and I did not notice any difference in engine braking. As I understand it, our engines use more of a exhaust brake, which increases the pressure in the engine, so the fan would have little effect anyway. It will be interesting to see the responses.

336muffin · 11-24-2011, 06:40 AM

Nodine, I understand your question. I owned and drove several semi's and with the Horton there is no parisitic drag on the motor and results in more power and better fuel mileage. When I came down a steep mtn. I had a switch on the dash to control the Horton, I could overide the auto setting and manually turn on as needed and yes it will help down hill speed. I could fine tune my Jake break and some times on a long steep down hill with a heavy load I also turned on the Air Conditioner and this helped also. This also pulls power from the engine thus providing more breaking.

Dynasty_09 · 11-24-2011, 03:06 PM

Sorry Bob,

I don't understand the question. The Source fan is direct drive (No clutch). So I think there would be no difference in engine braking... maybe I'm wrong.

danes-on-tour · 11-25-2011, 01:20 AM

We have the Horton fan installed and I never noticed the difference (if any was there). Our exhaust brake works just fine even on step descents.

Maybe there are more than one type of fan that can be installed? The one we have is the type where the fan will only run when the engine calls for it.

nodine · 11-25-2011, 04:43 AM

Thanks to those who responded. A future mod I would like to make is to add either the Horton fan clutch or the Source Fan. Just trying to gather data to help make the decision.

Bob

nodine · 11-25-2011, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cayman09

Sorry Bob,

I don't understand the question. The Source fan is direct drive (No clutch). So I think there would be no difference in engine braking... maybe I'm wrong.

Hi. There have been reports by those who have installed the Source fan that some engine braking was lost. This makes sense because the Source fan has less drag than the OEM fan. The Horton clutch controls the OEM fan via software in the Cummins ECM. Cummins can program the clutch to fully engage the OEM fan when the engine brake or exhaust brake is turned on. Whether Cummins does this or not is my question. I was looking for experience from those who have gone from the direct drive OEM fan to the Horton clutch on the OEM fan. It appears that they did not notice any difference in engine/exhaust braking.

Bob

Dynasty_09 · 11-25-2011, 09:12 AM

Hi Nodine,
De Sanford will be installing the Source fan pretty soon and I'm sure he'll be able to report his finding on engine braking. I'm looking at installing this fan too but my MH is parked for the snow season for now...

deSanford · 11-25-2011, 06:16 PM

I got my Source fan Wednesday and took it to the shop today. Linda and I will be going to Quartzsite this January. Will report on the "Fan" thereafter when we get Wi-Fi connection. I have read that you do loose some engine braking due to the fact there is less resistance moving air with the engine. I might have to use the brakes a little we will see, but I feel it is a small price to pay to have 50% less noise and maybe picking up about 35hp and better fuel economy. Others may disagree......

DennisZ · 11-25-2011, 07:15 PM

I have the Source fan on my MH, and I did notice a reduction in engine braking, after all you do lose about 25 HP of parasitic load from the engine. To verify my suspicions, I called Source, and they did confirm that the perceived loss was real. Would I change back to the old fan, no way, the new fan gives better power, an improvement in mileage, and a BIG reduction in noise, mostly noticed when the exhaust brake is applied, less noise = less braking.

Dennis

nodine · 11-26-2011, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deSanford

I got my Source fan Wednesday and took it to the shop today. Linda and I will be going to Quartzsite this January. Will report on the "Fan" thereafter when we get Wi-Fi connection. I have read that you do loose some engine braking due to the fact there is less resistance moving air with the engine. I might have to use the brakes a little we will see, but I feel it is a small price to pay to have 50% less noise and maybe picking up about 35hp and better fuel economy. Others may disagree......

Sanford,

Please keep us posted on your fan project. We always spend a few weeks in Florida starting the day after Christmas so I want be starting my fan project until after we get back. I am still on the fence as to which way to go, Source or Horton clutch. The big advantage I see with the Source, besides cost and simplicity, is that the noise is always less. With the Horton the noise is only less when the clutch is not fully engaged.

Bob

Bill2 · 11-26-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodine

Sanford,

Please keep us posted on your fan project. We always spend a few weeks in Florida starting the day after Christmas so I want be starting my fan project until after we get back. I am still on the fence as to which way to go, Source or Horton clutch. The big advantage I see with the Source, besides cost and simplicity, is that the noise is always less. With the Horton the noise is only less when the clutch is not fully engaged.

Bob

Bob,
I have had the Horton clutch on my 06 Endeavor for almost five years now. I see you are mainly concerned about noise. The Horton on my coach don't kick in until the engine temp is 210, (It could be a little different) and when the Horton cools the engine down, just a few minutes it shuts down. When it is cool the Horton don't even come on. I got the about 30 HP back and the MPG improved almost a MPG. I don't know what it cost to get it installed now but when I had it done by Cummins it was $750. I love it and would do it again.
Bill

nodine · 11-26-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill2

Bob,
I have had the Horton clutch on my 06 Endeavor for almost five years now. I see you are mainly concerned about noise. The Horton on my coach don't kick in until the engine temp is 210, (It could be a little different) and when the Horton cools the engine down, just a few minutes it shuts down. When it is cool the Horton don't even come on. I got the about 30 HP back and the MPG improved almost a MPG. I don't know what it cost to get it installed now but when I had it done by Cummins it was $750. I love it and would do it again.
Bill

Thanks Bill, that is good info.

Bob

Dynasty_09 · 11-26-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill2

Bob,
I have had the Horton clutch on my 06 Endeavor for almost five years now. I see you are mainly concerned about noise. The Horton on my coach don't kick in until the engine temp is 210, (It could be a little different) and when the Horton cools the engine down, just a few minutes it shuts down. When it is cool the Horton don't even come on. I got the about 30 HP back and the MPG improved almost a MPG. I don't know what it cost to get it installed now but when I had it done by Cummins it was $750. I love it and would do it again.
Bill

Humm, if the engine is cool and you use the exhaust brake, does the Horton fan kicks in or is it free? If that's the case, I would assume (since there is less parasitic drag!) there would be the same reduction in engine braking... No?