Cabin Fan

Bruce of MN

Well-known member
When my Dad had my '31 Coupe as a cheap second car in 1953, I remember that it had a rubber-bladed fan mounted up high on the right side of the windshield. When I bought the car back from a cousin in 2009 or so, the fan was gone and I have looked for some modern replacement. This may do the job: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/comfort-zone-reg-4-inch-cradle-high-velocity-dual-powered-fan/3249300?keyword=fan-usb

USB voltage is 5Vdc, so our 6Vdc shouldn't abuse it too much. I got one with a 20% coupon, so I have $8.41 invested! I've soldered on a 2 pole trailer connector and the red fan wire is even positive, so the color code matches. I need to connect to the terminal box and a ground screw and figure out how to hang it yet.

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https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=4058&pictureid=41842
 
I am sure you know that at least some of the originals hung on the steering column.

Charlie Stephens
 

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To tell the truth, no, but it makes a lot of sense. Maybe that will inspire some thoughts on a similar mount.
 
Mine came with the car. I am the second owner after it restoration so I do not have idea if this fan is time period. Neither i know if the attachment is an original accessory. Nevertheless looks pretty old.

Works very well and if you zoom the picture you can see how it is attached.



BTW... it is a 1929 Tudor.
 
Forddan; I have a rubber bladed fan but the mounting is puzzling to me. Did you have to drill holes in your dash rail to mount it? My dad had one in his 33 Chevy but he used it for the defrosting action. Mine has a column mount but there is not enough room for it in the Model A. It hits the steering wheel. Jack
 
My Grand Experiment is over. :( The 6V seems to have burnt out the 5V motor, since the motor leads show open circuit.
 
Forddan; I have a rubber bladed fan but the mounting is puzzling to me. Did you have to drill holes in your dash rail to mount it? My dad had one in his 33 Chevy but he used it for the defrosting action. Mine has a column mount but there is not enough room for it in the Model A. It hits the steering wheel. Jack

Hi Jack

Unfortunately the job was done by who restored the car ~14 years ago. Since then I am the second owner and do not know how to contact the first one, who restored the car.

Nevertheless, at my return home tomorrow I will take a closer look to see if all the holes were drilled or not.

I am new in model A, but from pictures of other cars (1929 Tudor) I will bet they were drilled.

I will report back with an answer.

Daniel
P.S. : I live in MA and last week we had the hottest week of this summer 80-90 F. There was no need to use the fan. With the windshield open driving the car at ~25-30 miles/hour was very comfortable. I only feel how warm it was at the traffic lights stops.
 
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My Grand Experiment is over. :( The 6V seems to have burnt out the 5V motor, since the motor leads show open circuit.

A 12 volt neg ground cell phone car plug reduces 12 or 6 volts to 5 volts. Just be careful to wire the ground as positive. I run my phone and GPS off of a Model A 6v battery this way with no problems.
 
Forddan; I have a rubber bladed fan but the mounting is puzzling to me. Did you have to drill holes in your dash rail to mount it? My dad had one in his 33 Chevy but he used it for the defrosting action. Mine has a column mount but there is not enough room for it in the Model A. It hits the steering wheel. Jack

Jack, I am back at home. Yes, holes were drilled.

Best
Daniel
 
Don't drill any more holes, mine was a column mount. Get rid of the strap and run a round head 1/4-20 through the center hole in the dash panel.
 
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