OTTER switch again

For all those wiring gremlins we love, this is the place to discuss them.

Moderator: Board Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
jimmybondi
Senior Poster
Posts: 254
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2005 09:55
Year: 0
Location: Germany - Bonn
Contact:
Contact jimmybondi

OTTER switch again

Post by jimmybondi »

When the ignition is switched to pos. 2, the 2 fans will cut in, regardless of the temp condition and will stay on untill I pull the key! :shock:

I have pulled the connectors on the OTTER switch and the fans will not cut in anymore. Turning the a/c on will force the fans to run.
So it is very likely that the OTTER swich is dead (again)!

How can such an expensive piece (o.s.) break so often??? :cry:
On top of that, it's hard to replace, also... :(
Ciao,

'88 Excel SE
'99 Elise
'87 TurboEsprit

Image

http://excelregister.lotusexcel.de
Top
User avatar
Steve C
Senior Poster
Posts: 801
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:31
Year: 0
Location: Hampshire

Post by Steve C »

Yeh, I've had a couple on my Excel in 10 years ... luckily the engine management system for the fuel injection will soon take over fan control!
Top
User avatar
amarshall
Moderator
Posts: 8296
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:09
Model: SE
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1990
Location: Darlington
Contact:
Contact amarshall

Post by amarshall »

Same issue here (yet another on the long list of faults) - I've been toying with the idea of replacing the standard otterswitch with one of these : http://www.merlinmotorsport.com/index.p ... =1683_2113 or one of these https://secure.visav.co.uk/avshop/produ ... witem=1487
https://www.lotusexcel.co.uk/
SORN - just say NO!
Top
bodgitostrich
Junior Poster
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 02:35
Year: 0
Location: Bournemouth
Contact:
Contact bodgitostrich

Post by bodgitostrich »

i had the same with the old engine in my car, the fans staying on... aws far as i know, it is a simple bi-metallic strip, that switches at he corrent temperature, unfortunately due the fan motor, being sooo torquey, it draws too much current, so it fuses on, maybe a capacitor could stop the arcing across the terminals...

Phil
Top
User avatar
Spav
Site Admin
Posts: 410
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 19:19
Location: Calne, Wiltshire, England

Post by Spav »

I think a Saab one fits straight in. Lotus obviously didn't unstand ohms law as much of their electrical plumbing leaves much to be desired especially in the reliability department. I am removing all hi current switched circuits from within the car, so lights, motors etc all getting a new power feed and relays.

On-line parts manual

Full access with a one-off payment of 20GBP. Enter your username and click the button. You will receive a PM with access details, once payment is complete. This is a manual process, please allow 1 or 2 days for access to be granted. Payment will show as Span6.
Username:
http://www.fromdusktildawn.net
Top
User avatar
Steve C
Senior Poster
Posts: 801
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:31
Year: 0
Location: Hampshire

Post by Steve C »

I'm pretty sure my car has a relay for the fans, I thought they all did! It still doesn't stop the damn switch packing up and it must only be switching a few hundred milliamps!
Top
User avatar
robertverhey
Senior Poster
Posts: 788
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:54
Year: 0
Location: Sydney
Contact:
Contact robertverhey

Post by robertverhey »

The otter switch is one of the first things I've ditched on every Lotus I've owned. My Excel runs a (Hyundai) Excel screw fit switch with some basic plumbing fittings I picked up at the hardware store. Honda ones are fine, as are VW Golf ones, it's just a matter of adapting something to fit in the existing housing, or making up a new threaded one. You can't braze or solder anything to it, in my experience.

Robert
Robert Glacier Blue '87 SE
Top
User avatar
jimmybondi
Senior Poster
Posts: 254
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2005 09:55
Year: 0
Location: Germany - Bonn
Contact:
Contact jimmybondi

Post by jimmybondi »

Hi Guys,

thank you all. I will leave the switch disconnected for the time being, as it is still cold outside and the engine will hardly reach temperature these days. In case of an emergency, switching on the a/c will force them to cut in.

Roy, methinks 15 quid is still too much for an item which tends to go south regulary...

I think I will upgrade the switch in spring, as many of you have suggested.

Thannks

JB
Ciao,

'88 Excel SE
'99 Elise
'87 TurboEsprit

Image

http://excelregister.lotusexcel.de
Top
User avatar
amarshall
Moderator
Posts: 8296
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:09
Model: SE
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1990
Location: Darlington
Contact:
Contact amarshall

Post by amarshall »

Just checking (since I can't get to my car at the moment) - what's the diameter of the top hose ?
https://www.lotusexcel.co.uk/
SORN - just say NO!
Top
User avatar
amarshall
Moderator
Posts: 8296
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:09
Model: SE
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1990
Location: Darlington
Contact:
Contact amarshall

Post by amarshall »

Hmmm - According to the SJ Sportscars parts list, the otter switch changed from a M22 fitting to a M14 sometime in 1990, around number 3007. Mine is 3036 (and, I hope, currently up in the air getting a new diff cover gasket fitted)!

I think I'll get one of the Pacet capillary thermostats from Burton Power and see how that works - it should be possible to insert it without having to let too much coolant out and reports elsewhere suggest that the pad kits supplied result in a good seal around the hose junctions so there shouldn't be leakage around the capillary tube.

I'll post the results of my "experiment" here (in technical articles perhaps ? Time we had something in there) for all to see.
Last edited by amarshall on Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:14, edited 1 time in total.
https://www.lotusexcel.co.uk/
SORN - just say NO!
Top
NickC
Senior Poster
Posts: 343
Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2005 15:09
Year: 0
Location: Romford, Essex
Contact:
Contact NickC

Post by NickC »

I have been running with a Scimitar SE6a from Graham Walkers for around ten years now and no problem.

Suggest you check to ensure the correct relay is being used. If a higher rated one is being used, it could be drawing too much current and that could be the cause of the Otter switch burning out. Why not measure the current being drawn through the otter swich.

Nick
Top
malcomp
Verified Poster
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 01:07

Post by malcomp »

I think that the reliablility of the sensor is down to how it is fitted, the sensor is located just where all the water from the bonnet goes down, and when I got my car its sensor had the wires comming out sideways and the water was just washing over the guts of the sensor. so when I fitted the scimitar one I sealed the connectors and most importantly pointed it down so any moisture will drip off.

just a thought

Ian
Top
User avatar
amarshall
Moderator
Posts: 8296
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:09
Model: SE
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1990
Location: Darlington
Contact:
Contact amarshall

Post by amarshall »

Ordered the Pacet electronic capillary switch from Burton yesterday - it arrive today. Fitting it tomorrow.......
https://www.lotusexcel.co.uk/
SORN - just say NO!
Top
User avatar
amarshall
Moderator
Posts: 8296
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:09
Model: SE
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1990
Location: Darlington
Contact:
Contact amarshall

Post by amarshall »

Pacet adjustable capillary sender fitted - works very nicely as a plug-in replacement for the original and the adjustable temp. range means I can tweak it for local conditions ;-)

Anyone interested in some photos of how it looks and a description of how I fitted it ?
https://www.lotusexcel.co.uk/
SORN - just say NO!
Top
bodgitostrich
Junior Poster
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 02:35
Year: 0
Location: Bournemouth
Contact:
Contact bodgitostrich

Post by bodgitostrich »

Yep Yep

Phil
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Electrics and Electronics”