Wiring advice

[cjolley]

So to test this, I want to just run a test wire from the + side on the battery to the + side of the fan, while the car is off?

I'd do it with the car on, off, fans on , off etc.

I think that's why some cars go poof when you connect the battery up wrong.

[cjolley]

...
I'm wondering if I could just pull the thermostat out completely and run without it for a test.

You could start with that.

[Kooldino]

TEST THE LEADS!
If the relays that turn these fans on ground a fan's hot wire when they (the relay) are "off"
then you will short out your car.
It will catch fire and burn up

Ok, so then how exactly do I perform a test?

You HAVE replaced the thermostat haven't you?

No, I just assumed it was working fine since I have zero cooling problems while the car is moving.

[ZokesPro]

Yup.

The fluid isn't low...and I recently changed it as part of my diagnosis. Distilled water, 60/40 with radiator coolant, and a bottle of water wetter for good measure.

Distilled water eh? You really love your machine.

I'm wondering if I could just pull the thermostat out completely and run without it for a test.

I wanted to do that with my Satrun seeing as it normally runs hot. try it out and post your results.

[cjolley]

Distilled water eh? You really love your machine.

Actually not. Distilled water is VERY acidic.

Buy the coolant that is pre mixed.

[Kooldino]

Actually not. Distilled water is VERY acidic.

Buy the coolant that is pre mixed.

How is distilled acidic? Isn't it pure water?

[ZokesPro]

How is distilled acidic? Isn't it pure water?

That's what I thought.

[Fluff]

Distilled water is very agressive. Not acidic.

Remember water is a solvent.

Very good for cleaning windscreens with no smears.

[cjolley]

Amazing ain't it.
Test some distilled water with one of those cheap aquarium PH testers.

I't not high concentration, but the ratio of OH- to H+ must be pretty low.

I'd guess it has to do with the way they manufacture store bought distilled water.

Edit: I'm not talking about lab distilled water, I'm talking about distilled water you buy at the grocery store in the plastic bottles.

[Kooldino]

That's what I thought.

http://chetday.com/saynotodistilled.htm

Another point involves alkalinity and acidity. Natural health writers generally agree that the body maintains best health when it maintains a ph leaning to the alkaline side rather than the acidic side, and yet distilled water quickly turns highly acidic, about 5.8 in an open air container.

[ZokesPro]

Damn!

So what's best? De-ionized water?

[Kooldino]

However, it looks like the antifreeze is a base...

http://www.phmeters.com/New_Folder/antifreeze_application_note.htm

The alkalinity of an antifreeze/water mix varies because of the additives used and the ingredient ratio but should be between the pH range of 8 and 11. The average antifreeze pH value is 10.5. When the antifreeze is mixed with water and added to the cooling system, the pH decreases to 8.5 to 9. A higher pH level is not always better because some new long-lasting coolants have a pH of 8.3. As long as the pH value stays stable, the cooling system is fine.

[cjolley]

...yet distilled water quickly turns highly acidic, about 5.8 in an open air container

New theory, it's the CO2 in the air creating carbonic acid.

[Kooldino]

New theory, it's the CO2 in the air creating carbonic acid.

A solution of carbon dioxide in water in equilibrium with the atmosphere (0.033% CO2) has a pH of 5.6.

source: wikipedia

So it turns it into "acid rain"?

[cjolley]

http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/acidfact.html

The smaller the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the substance is. Rain measuring between 0 and 5 on the pH scale is acidic and therefore called "acid rain." Small number changes on the pH scale actually mean large changes in acidity.

For example, a change in just one unit from pH 6.0 to pH 5.0 would indicate a tenfold increase in acidity. Clean rain usually has a pH of 5.6. It is slightly acidic because of carbon dioxide which is naturally present in the atmosphere. Vinegar, by comparison, is very acidic and has a pH of 3.