Lower Grill block that can open and close

[Weather Spotter]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...is that a momentary, dual-pole, 3-way (ON-OFF-ON) switch?

...I don't believe it's a good idea to leave the solenoid(s) energized all the time once they've transistioned...that could burn them out.

Yes it is a momentary dual-pole, 3 way switch. I agree that leaving them powered up is a fast way of killing them.



@ Phantom, yes I am using 2 actuators wired up per that drawing. we must be thinking alike, I thought of that same idea. I am not sure though if I like it. I like the idea of minimal wiring but do not like that I cannot fully control both.

what if I rigged up a switch like you drew, but one for each actuator. Then I choose which one (or both) is controlled by the main switch? Then as I add actuators to my car (can you have enough?) each one gets its own single action switch. They all can run off the one master momentary dual-pole, 3 way switch.

[Phantom]

If you add more actuators you would have to add more switches to control them but you can individually control them the way I displayed it just might take an extra step.

A1 = Actuator 1 connected directly to the 3-way
A2 = Actuator 2 connected to 2-way switch

A2 on with A1 on = both open (starting position for all below)
A2 on with A1 off = both closed
A2 off with A1 on = A1 open A2 closed
A2 on with A1 on, A2 off with A1 off = A1 closed A2 open (A2 will stay this way and A1 can be controlled independently.)

[Varn]

You might just put some screen material over your grill. Interference drag will basically block holes at speed. No power would be used. Just passive in a way.

[Weather Spotter]

Originally Posted by Varn

You might just put some screen material over your grill. Interference drag will basically block holes at speed. No power would be used. Just passive in a way.

but there would be no cooling when desired and no ability to control when it was open or closed.

[Varn]

Hi weatherspot,
I grant you that you would not have direct control over the air flow. Most of the time that I am driving in traffic the last thing on my mind is to watch another gauge.

I am not so sure that this idea would not provide much of what the original poster wants, the grill would be nearly wide open at low speeds where air flow is minimal and relatively closed at higher speed when there is ample air flow. I am going to try it on my big van along with various other things.

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

but there would be no cooling when desired and no ability to control when it was open or closed.

[Weather Spotter]

let me know how it works for you, I would think that getting the right amount of cooling would be tricky.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

let me know how it works for you, I would think that getting the right amount of cooling would be tricky.

Especially if you throw hot and/or cold temperatures into the mix....

Jim.

[Weather Spotter]

I had a chance to take it for a drive today, I LOVE being able to close it until the car warms up. I had it closed for 9 miles before I opened it

I found that it gave me plenty of cooling until I start drafting (2-3 seconds) behind a truck. Then my temps climb and the fan comes one every 5 or so miles.

[ShadeTreeMech]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

I worked at a facility that had the pleasure of testing anti-freeze on a regular basis.

You really don't want to make it habit of getting the temperature much above boiling to start affecting the chemical makeup of the fluid. It definitely is affected by excess heat such as temperatures up to 250°F or so.

Jim.

I would be interested in knowing more info on the peculiarities of antifreeze.

I honestly wouldn't recommend maintaining temps of 250°F, but I would hope holding steady at 200°F would be fine.....is this a bad assumption?

And I think having the ability to control air flow is starting to sound way cool, especially considering the cooler temps heading our way this time of year.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

I honestly wouldn't recommend maintaining temps of 250°F, but I would hope holding steady at 200°F would be fine.....is this a bad assumption?

In summer on the Paseo with its full grill block I'm running just over 200F for most of my 21 mile drive.

The only negative here is that the ECU may be retarding timing a little because the engine is hotter than it normally would be. I haven't done any testing to verify this though.