Thinking about making self operated grill block

[nemesis]

Basically I am thinking about using a small servo that will operate grill block, it would keep grill block closed at all times unless coolant temperature sensor senses that coolant temperature went over target temperature, lets say 220 deg F, servo would use factory coolant temperature sensor that is already on a vehicle to keep things cheap and simple.

I'll be doing this on a 96 ford ranger with a 2.3L engine. I will try to keep factory grill in place and just hide the grill block right behind it. What kind of gains do you guys think I should get out of it?

Thanks.

[sarguy01]

I got around 2% with an upper grill block. There was a thread a while back about an Arduino controlled grill shutters.

But, I know what you are thinking. In the winter my blocks work well, but in the summer with the AC one, there is no way I can run them.

Maybe just a temp switch to operate the servo??

[nemesis]

Originally Posted by sarguy01

I got around 2% with an upper grill block. There was a thread a while back about an Arduino controlled grill shutters.

But, I know what you are thinking. In the winter my blocks work well, but in the summer with the AC one, there is no way I can run them.

Maybe just a temp switch to operate the servo??

I found the thread, I didn't read the whole thing, but it seemed like the guy has been working on it since 2009.

[backpacker3]

I'm working on a similar idea but I'll have to control it I'm using the motor from a cordless drill so that there will be enough torque to control it at highway speed. Right now I'm attempting to figure out how to open each individual shutter one at a time but I'm thinking I may skip that and just have them all open together just to make it simpler. I have a drawing of my plans in my build thread and I'm planning to use plexiglass as the material.

[nemesis]

Originally Posted by backpacker3

I'm working on a similar idea but I'll have to control it I'm using the motor from a cordless drill so that there will be enough torque to control it at highway speed. Right now I'm attempting to figure out how to open each individual shutter one at a time but I'm thinking I may skip that and just have them all open together just to make it simpler. I have a drawing of my plans in my build thread and I'm planning to use plexiglass as the material.

Sounds great man. I thought about it last night, I can actually have different angle opening depending on the temperature of the engine, so at like 190deg F it would start opening up and by the time engine is 220deg F they grill block would be completely open.

[backpacker3]

Originally Posted by nemesis

Sounds great man. I thought about it last night, I can actually have different angle opening depending on the temperature of the engine, so at like 190deg F it would start opening up and by the time engine is 220deg F they grill block would be completely open.

That's a pretty good idea too. With a system like that it's unlikely it will ever really need to be open fully anyway too. What are you planning on for a controller? Arduino? Or something else?

[nemesis]

Yes, I am going to make a controller that will be able to control grill block. It will work on just about anything, it will have on board adjustments so it will work on all my other cars.