[SamiKai]

I really don't have much of an issue with the heat from the seat. But that being said I was bored the past few days so I decided to do an experiment.

Let me preface by saying this is not a final product. It is simply a test to see if I want to spend the time making something proper and durable. Also any experts please share some knowledge.

Anywhoooo,
I took an old pc fan. Not a cheapy mind you a pretty strong one from a friends gaming pc he built. He said it's a strong fan to move lots of hot air to cool his pc and could tolerate the heat for my test. He stated his processor can easily exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

I made a bracket to mount it to and then mounted the bracket to the cross member the gas tank is attached to under the seat pan.

I then added a switch to turn it on/off. Wired it to a constant power source that only has power during key on (taillight). The fan is a perfect fit under the seat and the switch was mounted to my bracket and goes through one of the holes in the same cross member.

The results are noticeable. Measuring with a digit temp gauge we measured a 7-10 degree decline in heat when on. We did this same test at 5, 10 and 15 minutes of static running time (bike stayed park). Then I rode for 15 minutes and we measured again. Same results of an avg. of 8 degrees less heat when on. The most important thing though is the ambient heat feels like a greater decrease in temperature when on. It feels almost 15-20 cooler when the fan is on.

Here are a few pics. I know the underside is a bit dirty. Again, this is not a perm. product. We will test it's durability and see what we need to use that will withstand the high heat. But so far after 2 days nothing has melted and it still runs fine. Oh and it only cost $1.49 for the switch and 10 minutes to fabricate.

What do you guys think?

 

[Ten-6]

You get any lift from that thing? :stickpoke

Seriously though, which way do you have the air moving? I'm assuming down so where is the cooler air coming from?

 

[brettc63]

Why not? The theory sounds good. Clever tinkering by the way.

Durability is going to be the final test. On that, even though his PC's cpu reaches those temps, I don't think these 2 scenarios are in the same league. A pc's cpu is like 2" square and seperated from the fan by a relativley large volume of air (insulation in that sense). But I've noticed that your fan is virtually on top of the rear pot and not far from the rear header as well so I'd imagine it will get a lot hotter that it would in a PC. Even if nothing actually melts, I'd say the fan bearing is going to dry out rather quickly and stop working in a relatively short amount of time.
Again nice work!

 

[SamiKai]

Why not? The theory sounds good. Clever tinkering by the way.

Durability is going to be the final test. On that, even though his PC's cpu reaches those temps, I don't think these 2 scenarios are in the same league. A pc's cpu is like 2" square and seperated from the fan by a relativley large volume of air (insulation in that sense). But I've noticed that your fan is virtually on top of the rear pot and not far from the rear header as well so I'd imagine it will get a lot hotter that it would in a PC. Even if nothing actually melts, I'd say the fan bearing is going to dry out rather quickly and stop working in a relatively short amount of time.
Again nice work!

Exactly what we are testing for. We want to see what breaks down first. I am looking for some smaller rad fans like the ones on the bike. Hopefully I can find one small enough to do justice. But as mentioned this is just an experiment.

Thanks for the advice. Keep 'em coming.

 

[rcbuggy1]

So I don't have an 848 yet so this is why I'm asking. Being that there is a catylitic converter under there I would imagine it gets quite warm. Is it noticeable or bothersome? I read that samikai doesn't have an issue with it. But I live in southern California. If I'm riding and it's 100 outside. Am I going to feel like it's 130?

 

[sparky6cars]

Looks like a smart solution to the hot arse problem . There are some ip55 (dust and water) rated fans available which may-be more durable.

 

[sparky6cars]

link to fanshttp://sanyodb.colle.co.jp/product_db_e/coolingfan/dcfan/dc_fan_detail.php?master_id=208

 

[brettc63]

link to fanshttp://sanyodb.colle.co.jp/product_db_e/coolingfan/dcfan/dc_fan_detail.php?master_id=208

Life expectancy 100,000 hours, indoor environment(survival rate: 90% at 60º C, rated voltage, and continuously run in a free air state)

Not boding well at 60deg C

 

[sparky6cars]

Not boding well at 60deg C.

You mean what.

 

[brettc63]

I'm sure it will be well above 60 degress Celcius where the fan is being placed. So longevity is not looking favourable. If it is blowing down and switched on all the time then that would be better that if it had to suck the hot air through itself. As far as 'free air state' goes - depends on the volume of freely moved air thorugh the fan. Possibly less than ideal efficiency under the seat, looks fairly close. Depends on fan speed, design, blade pitch and all that stuff. What about a cooling system radiator fan, possibly made better to cope with heat? They may be to big???

 

[SamiKai]

Life expectancy 100,000 hours, indoor environment(survival rate: 90% at 60º C, rated voltage, and continuously run in a free air state)

Not boding well at 60deg C

Thanks for the input everyone. Please keep them coming. It helps to hear good input.

Again, this is definitely not a final product. In no way have we intended to use this fan as permanent. We knew good and well it would have a short lifespan.

However, we are only measuring temps ranging from 120-160 degrees F (with current riding conditions. read...short rides). 60 degrees C equates to about 140 F. So for the purposes of our test it should work long enough for us to determine how well a system like this will work and if it would benefit to make a proper system.

The fan is blowing down onto the pipes as what needs to happen to cool the rider is to suck the hot air from under the seat pan. This is what we found to be the biggest problem. Not so much the actual heat dissipated from the pipes/engine, but the actual heat that builds and gets trapped under the seat pan. Properly expelling that heat build up and preventing it from occurring seems to be key.

 

[jpsc636]

SamiKai,

This is a really neat experiment. Have you considered putting any heat reflective tape on the bottom of the seat pan? I've seen it used on the exhaust heat shields and my 636 utilizes it. It may even benefit in conjunction with your fan.
Keep up the good work! I enjoy seeing innovation.

 

[magic1]

we could use underseat heaters, not coolers here in England. It,s bloody freeeezin !!!

 

[jpsc636]

we could use underseat heaters, not coolers here in England. It,s bloody freeeezin !!!

I don't know how you guys handle that cold! My blood gets thick at 32 F:freezing:

 

[robertog]

Hey fellas, this seems like a fun project.

I would think that as long as the fan is on and pushing/pulling cooler air from the top, it is not going to get all that hot because the only heat it will receive is in the form of radiated heat from the header. All of the air that WOULD heat it (convection) is being blown the other way (well who knows which way the air flows at high speeds)

The problem would be the one time you forgot to switch it on, in which case most fans will fry unless you get something very rugged.

Keep up the good work, ideas like this are why I check this board.

Roberto

 

[Alucard2k3]

Hey (sweet my first post),

You should really try something that would push more air than these dinky pc fans if you do decide to pursue this any further. Have you picked up the latest copy of SportRider? There is a Norton Rotary (NRV588) featured in there. The area between the rotaries get really hot, and the guy who built it has experience with RC planes. So what he did was rig up a RC motor that would come on at a certain temp, it also changes speed with the position of the throttle. Very interesting stuff. Just something else to look at and get from other people's experience.

David