Starcool Compressor fuse blowing

[MrHenrietta]

Hey guys,

Hoping for a little guidance on an issue I am having. 2003 7.3 SMB. The fuse for my starcool AUX Condenser blows every time I turn on the blower switch behind the captains chair. I’m just trying to get the Starcool working for the summer. I’ve tried it with the van hooked up to 110 and also with my generator going. Fuse pops as soon as that blower motor is turning on.

I should note that the blower works fine and front AC works great when I’m driving. What could be causing the fuse to keep blowing?

 

[Scalf77]

There is a compressor relay and solenoid valve that are on that circuit. They get switched on when the thermostat turns on. You can find manuals for starcooIII and a Flowchart here at Sportmobile Manuals

 

[MrHenrietta]

There is a compressor relay and solenoid valve that are on that circuit. They get switched on when the thermostat turns on. You can find manuals for starcooIII and a Flowchart here at Sportmobile Manuals

Looks like it's actually the Aux Condenser fuse that is blowing.. The 20 amp empty slot in my photo. The fuse is blowing every time I turn the blower on regardless if the thermostat is on or not... Electrical is not my forte so I'm going to need some hand holding on this one. Any ideas of where to start?

 

[Scalf77]

The Aux Condenser is usually under the driver side, the quick and easy check would be to see if some debris is locking up the fans (this is pretty common).

 

[BrianW.]

Agree, my vote is a seized fan or fans. It will draw a lot of current trying to get them going and pop the fuse and/or breaker in the Starcool system. Both my front and under-body Starcool fans were seized and I had to replace them.


Related threads:

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f19/quick-starcool-fan-question-10309.html
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f34/starcool-iii-issues-19760-2.html#post205786

 

[gahamby]

https://www.holley.com/products/cooling/fans/parts/1984MRG

I had to replace that fan twice. It's a gravel magnet.

 

[MrHenrietta]

Thanks for the reply’s. I’m going to inspect the fan as soon as this storm passes. Are these fans available for purchase or can they be rebuilt?

 

[MrHenrietta]

I think I might have found the issue. Looks like the drive shaft has rubbed the wire apart to the condenser. Not much room to work with from where the wires go into the condenser. Fingers crossed.

 

[doublevan2]

Looks like time for some wire loom and cable ties - great you found it !

 

[MrHenrietta]

Welp I cut the casing off and the wires actually did not get penetrated where the rubbing occurred : (

Could the internal wire have been compromised due to the heat from the rubbing?

 

[Scalf77]

If you don't see any heat damage to sheathing. I would doubt it could have ever generated enough heat to cause damage. Also, if it did it would have shown up more as an open circuit, and not blowing the fuse.

 

[BrianW.]

Do the fans turn when the system is on? Or, can you even spin by hand?

 

[MrHenrietta]

Do the fans turn when the system is on? Or, can you even spin by hand?

Fan does not turn on when system is on but the fan spins by hand no problem. Worked fine last time I used it..

 

[MrHenrietta]

Just updating the thread with the solution. Ended up being the rear condenser fan as others said above. I purchased a new fan from Amazon for about $30 and easily retrofitted it to the plastic condenser box. Good as new. Thanks all.

 

[doublevan2]

Do you remember which fan from AMZN did the trick/fit ? Thanks -

 

[MrHenrietta]

This is the fan I used. It’s not a direct fit but I made it work. I cut the old fan out using an oscillating saw because there was no way the whole condenser box was coming out without removing my drive shaft.
https://a.co/d/eTaiA5w