Making an Air Filter for the Battery Cooling Fan

Hopefully this is not cargo cult, ie: a filter to keep the fan clean, but it restricts air flow, more than a dust-clogged fan. I would check it very frequently, especially over the next few days. A ScanGuage II to monitor fan speed and battery temp would be Rolls Royce.

Toyota went from a completely open grill, to one with a coarse weave screen behind it. That was their judgment, on how to improve things. They didn't go further. Maybe they're being to cautious, but it's hard to say.

 

We have a Shiba Inu, northern clime dog, always shedding a bit. The cloth upholstery seems to snag most of it though.

Our 2010 originally came with just an open plastic grill. I eventually settled on aluminum window screen as an adjunct. Here's the spacing, for reference:



Again, do not know if denser filter is too much, but this seems to snag his hair. I should have another look at our fan. When I do I'll try to remember to post. Last time it was a thin patina of dust.

That's maybe the main thing I think: check the actual fan every so often.

 

A filter is great idea if you have dog(s) in the car.

I haven't seen it done on a 3rd gen, but on the 2nd gen you can just get a piece of panty hose (if you're a guy, just shrug off the checkout clerk who might think you're a cross-dresser, not recommended for those in a small town! hahaha) and put it over the air inlet. It seems like a really good fit for this purpose: to maintain as much airflow as possible, but catch all dog hair. It looks like you could do this here as well without having to craft or fit anything. Then obviously you just cut off the excess and replace as needed.

The furnace filters look like they'd block a lot of airflow, but just the screen looks like it might let some hairs through. This might strike a good middle ground.

 

Glad you found a solution.

 

The fish won't get past it either!

Great write-up!