Cabin Fan Speed Test

[wink]

I did some tests of the cabin filter and blower air speeds with my Kestrel weather station today. All test were performed with the engine off, fan speed 7, A/C on, recirculate off, and temp all the way cold. I just did snapshots from the Kestel, instead of trying to take pictures as I did last night. The column in question is the 3rd, WS mph (Wind Speed mph). These were all read from the passenger side center console vent, except the first. The side vents by the doors seem to blow a little harder, but I didn't clock the speeds for this test.



The rows are as follows:

1: No filter with the access cover off. Measured at the filter access opening.

2: No filter with the access cover on.

3: OEM filter with the cover on.

4: K&N filter with cover on.

You can see the OEM filter is quite restrictive. I also did some tests earlier driving around. The fan seems to sense vehicle speed and adjusts. The faster you go, the slower it blows. Might be temp related as well. Didn't really pursue that further.

Note: These are Colorado #'s, at around 9k ft DA. At sea level the numbers might be higher as the air is much denser down there. But it gives you an idea of what to expect. Make what you will of the data...

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[AngryRams]

The only thing I've noticed that's not right is some times when I change fan speeds or modes... Ie upper vent, upper vent plus footwell, etc... It feels like the AC turns off and just blows mild air .... I have to turn the air off completely and back on for it to get cold again.

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[wink]

The only thing I've noticed that's not right is some times when I change fan speeds or modes... Ie upper vent, upper vent plus footwell, etc... It feels like the AC turns off and just blows mild air .... I have to turn the air off completely and back on for it to get cold again.

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I've had the airflow reduce when going to split mode, which makes sense, but it still blew cold air. I think the climate system is more intrusive than I'd like at times. It's more than just opening and closing flaps I think.

I did some more testing earlier that covers all the vents, and all 3 modes (upper, split, and lower), with a surprising result... Let me decipher my notes and I'll post them up.

wink

 

[SystemicChanges]

That's interesting. Which filter is OEM filter? The one from Geno's?

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[wink]

That's interesting. Which filter is OEM filter? The one from Geno's?

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Don't know what Geno's sales, but OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer. In this case Chrysler. It's the one that came in the truck.

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[wink]

Ok, here's the results of test session 2. All the same settings as above, but only with the K&N this time. Since the OEM was so restrictive, I won't use it again. But I recommend everyone run some type of filtration.



1. Driver side vent / Upper setting
2. Driver side vent / Split setting
3. Left console vent / Upper setting
4. Left console vent / Split setting
5. Right console vent / Upper setting
6. Right console vent / Split setting
7. Passenger side vent / Upper setting
8. Passenger side vent / Split setting
9. Passenger lower vent / Split setting
10. Passenger lower vent / Lower setting
11. Driver lower vent / Split setting
12. Driver lower vent / Lower setting (Wow)

The last one literally blows away (pun intended) the others. I knew as soon as I stuck the weather station in front of it, and for the first time heard zzzzzzz as it spun up. Holy cow! Well I know what's quickest for cool down on a hot day now. There's also two vents on the driver side. Not sure on the other side as there's a panel where the top one would be. Didn't bother to pull it and look though.

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[firebuff17]

Hmmm. That’s good to know and good to have some numbers associated with it.
Thanks for running the test.

 

[SystemicChanges]

I don't know who makes Geno's filters, was just curious, because my truck didn't come with it, I had to do it myself. I knew what OEM means, I have never bought an "oem" filter. Interesting results. Seems like the split setting between upper and lower would produce best results, considering it's 16mph at lower setting in split, and 14 at upper vent. That's a combined 30 mph vs 26 in lower only.

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[Rado]

Interesting read Between your post and another on the same topic I just ordered a Airflow meter off E Bay, For 12$ I have a new toy to play with lol

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM816-Digi...062?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10#viTabs_0

 

[wink]

Hmmm. That’s good to know and good to have some numbers associated with it.
Thanks for running the test.

No prob! I was curious too.

wink

 

[firebuff17]

I forget which thread I posted in but I run a k&n fikter most of the year. Usually during the heat of the summer I need to take it out so I can have sufficient air flow blowing out upper vents to cool off.
Now there are speed test numbers to associate with it.

 

[wink]

I don't know who makes Geno's filters, was just curious, because my truck didn't come with it, I had to do it myself. I knew what OEM means, I have never bought an "oem" filter. Interesting results. Seems like the split setting between upper and lower would produce best results, considering it's 16mph at lower setting in split, and 14 at upper vent. That's a combined 30 mph vs 26 in lower only.

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Figured you must know OEM, but wasn't sure of the question. But I still have no clue who makes it for Chrysler. Just has Mopar part #'s and says DUHC on it. I agree split would probably be best over all, but lower could get things going a bit quicker. Not that it takes long anyways. My regular cab heats up and cools down very quickly. I usually just roll the windows down to blow out the heat if it's been sitting in the sun. Then I rarely need to use more that 2 on the fan on a hot day. I might do another test when it gets cooler to see what/if any variance it has on heat instead of AC. Maybe vent only too.

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[wink]

Interesting read Between your post and another on the same topic I just ordered a Airflow meter off E Bay, For 12$ I have a new toy to play with lol

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM816-Digi...062?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10#viTabs_0

Cool! Let us know what numbers you get. I like how they emboss the battery model on the case. Don't have to open it up or dig out the manual to see what you need. Nice touch!

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[G-Ride990]

First time I have ever seen a Kestrel used for this purpose lol.

I didn't want to get a cabin filter but, this is my first spring with my truck. I have non-stop pollen coming in through my vents when I start my truck in the morning. I may have to get one even though I will lose so much airflow.

 

[SystemicChanges]

Geno's also sells a filter that goes on the outside where the fresh air comes in. That may alleviate your issue entirely, though I do recommend a filter for the inside as well to protect your evaporator.

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[wink]

I forget which thread I posted in but I run a k&n fikter most of the year. Usually during the heat of the summer I need to take it out so I can have sufficient air flow blowing out upper vents to cool off.
Now there are speed test numbers to associate with it.

Do you clean the filter? Maybe check into one of the alternate blowers.

wink

 

[wink]

First time I have ever seen a Kestrel used for this purpose lol.

Yeah mine's the 4250 racing version. I log the weather for every pass I make, along with various PIDs with the Trinity. I figured they claim NIST certified accuracy, so it ought to be good enough for this test.

I didn't want to get a cabin filter but, this is my first spring with my truck. I have non-stop pollen coming in through my vents when I start my truck in the morning. I may have to get one even though I will lose so much airflow.

Well the K&N doesn't kill much flow, as you can see above. I also run them exclusively for my engines. I've tried pretty much every intake and/or filter on the Jeep, and the K&N always outperforms the rest. So figured the cabin filter was a safe bet.

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[G-Ride990]

Yeah mine's the 4250 racing version. I log the weather for every pass I make, along with various PIDs with the Trinity. I figured they claim NIST certified accuracy, so it ought to be good enough for this test.

Never thought of racing being a common use of these pieces of equipment, makes a lot of sense though. I have only ever used them for some long range firearm fun.



Well the K&N doesn't kill much flow, as you can see above. I also run them exclusively for my engines. I've tried pretty much every intake and/or filter on the Jeep, and the K&N always outperforms the rest. So figured the cabin filter was a safe bet.

wink

Thats a good point. And since I spent about 5 hours out in 100 degree+ Arizona heat yesterday detailing my truck, I really need one. I have looked and I already have the removable cover in my 16. I'll go ahead and order one now. Thanks for putting this together for us. Good info

 

[wink]

Never thought of racing being a common use of these pieces of equipment, makes a lot of sense though. I have only ever used them for some long range firearm fun.

You must have the ballistics version. They make a bunch of different models.

Hemis, like most engines, like to be cool to run at their peak. So I also have a laser/infrared heat gun to check the different systems temps before making a pass. I usually take 60+ lbs of ice with me to ice down the intake manifold, aftercooler, blower head, and radiator between passes. Also have a 6 gallon water box behind the passenger seat I dump a 20 lb bag of ice into. It keeps the blower cooling system in check. Makes a huge difference! Just icing the blower head is worth 2 tenths. The pro teams take it to the extreme. They have a setup to pump ice water through the engine, and take it down to like 32 F before heading to staging. On the new build I went with a aftercooler that's around 3 times larger than the previous unit. Hoping to reduce some of the icing as it's a PITA. But I want to run as quick as possible.

Thats a good point. And since I spent about 5 hours out in 100 degree+ Arizona heat yesterday detailing my truck, I really need one. I have looked and I already have the removable cover in my 16. I'll go ahead and order one now. Thanks for putting this together for us. Good info

No prob! Always glad to help.

wink

 

[firebuff17]

Do you clean the filter? Maybe check into one of the alternate blowers.

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Filter is brand new. As your test shows the k&n is better than the paper OEM. I ran the OEM for a year or 2 before switching to the k$n. This will be the first summer running the k&n. So far it’s been better!