Oil cooler fan

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Quico
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Bike Model and Year: 2010 R1200RT
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Portugal

Oil cooler fan

Post by Quico »

Hello everyone!

I bought an OEM fan for the oil cooler of my 2010 RT.
Although it is still in transit, I was planning how to make the connection, and since civilian RTs do not have their own connection, I was thinking of connecting it to the 12V socket located on the left side of the bike. That is, I would get a matching connector, disconnect the socket, and connect the fan, with a switch in between. This way, I wouldn't run the risk of forgetting it switched on, or someone mischievous turning the switch on in my absence and inadvertently draining the battery.
What is your opinion on this? Would the current required by the fan be too much for the circuit in question? Since the circuit is controlled by the bike's brain, would it be necessary to add a fuse or not?

Thank you.
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Doctor T
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Re: Oil cooler fan

Post by Doctor T »

My oil temp has never got too high. Even at 42°F, stop, start traffic. Police bikes only have them for slow escort duties. IRC, the 12V plug socket is only rated to 5 amps. I would have thought the fan uses more than that. The best bet is to run a feed from the battery to a switch. A relay may also be needed.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
May the shaft be with you
Quico
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Re: Oil cooler fan

Post by Quico »

I’ve already installed it.
Since the fan only draws about 4 amps, I connected it directly to the battery, adding a switch placed inside the glove-box compartment (there’s no radio). It’s easy to access when needed, but at the same time, it doesn’t alter the cockpit’s aesthetics or require unnecessary holes, and it’s not accessible to others.
orberto
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Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2025 4:18 pm
Bike Model and Year: 09 RT
United States of America

Re: Oil cooler fan

Post by orberto »

Hey Quico, I love this idea!

I bought my oil-cooled Hexhead just a month ago, and I'm loving the bike, but a bit paranoid, as i do a good bit of stop-n-go here in Phoenix. I've had other water-cooled bikes get reeeallly hot. Can you share a little about the fan, mounting, wiring, etc that you did? :-D
Quico
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Bike Model and Year: 2010 R1200RT
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Re: Oil cooler fan

Post by Quico »

Sure, what do you need?
I bought the fan and shroud from the R1200RTP, then just install it in place, no adaptations needed.
I've already described here how I made the connections, but if you have any doubts, ask.
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orberto
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Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2025 4:18 pm
Bike Model and Year: 09 RT
United States of America

Re: Oil cooler fan

Post by orberto »

I got my fan on last weekend. Mounting was easy. Deciding wiring was the time consuming part. I ended up using a relay from the parking lights, and putting a toggle switch on the left switchboard area. Didn't really take much pics though.
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