Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

[Mark42]

The window frames in the photo below will have two wiper motors mounted in the little triangle shaped corners of the frames. Wires could be coiled and let hang loose to power the wipers. But I'm trying to come up with something a little more visually appealing.

What I've been thinking of is a set of "contacts" to make connection when the widow frame is closed, but breaks contact when the window is open. This will eliminate the wires that would normally be used.

There is about 1/2 - 5/8" gap between the wood frame and fiberglass top.

Any suggestions on what can be used as the contacts to fit in this gap?

I'm thinking some kind of stainless steel hardware, just haven't found anything inexpensive, spring loaded and clean looking.

Here you can see how wide the windows can open, so there would need to be a good amount of slack needed if wires were run to the motor. Not very neat or clean looking. Also don't want to run the wires along the outside fiberglass, because there will be foam strips there to seal water out. Thats why I'm thinking of contacts that only work when the window is closed.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

You would have to come up with the pieces to do it but I wonder if there is a way to conceal the contacts as screw heads on the inside of the piano hinge?

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

Mark go to your favorite auto junk yard and start walking around opening doors on later model cars and vans and look in the door frames you will find exactly what you are looking for . The contacts for switches and such in the doors are done this way on alot of newer vehicles instead of the old system of running wires from the vehicle to the door. Somehing like these only cheaper cause they are used .



http://spideraccessories.stores.yahoo.net/painless40025.html


Rick

 

[halas]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

Pretty good challenge. It would make me wander into Radio Shack and just look around to see if something on their shelves would spark a creative idea.

 

[halas]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

I wonder if a larger mono headphone jack could be lined up properly? Would have to be on flexing bases.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

like this maybe?
see attached

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

like this maybe?
see attached

That's a neat idea, but it requires a bit of insulating from the hings.

Is there such a thing as stainless spring steel? Two slightly bowed strips on edge of the window opening and two round head screws on the window frame would work. It would be nice to have the spring tension to make good contact.

I'm pretty sure that being an exposed electric connection in a salt water environment, it would have to be stainless to be reliable?? Is there something else that would work?

I'll have to browse the salvage yards and hardware stores and see what I can come up with. I noticed a neat connection on the sliding door of our Toyota mini van, but that part would be expensive new, and its too thick to fit in the available space.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

That's a neat idea, but it requires a bit of insulating from the hings.

Is there such a thing as stainless spring steel? Two slightly bowed strips on edge of the window opening and two round head screws on the window frame would work. It would be nice to have the spring tension to make good contact.

I'm pretty sure that being an exposed electric connection in a salt water environment, it would have to be stainless to be reliable?? Is there something else that would work?

I'll have to browse the salvage yards and hardware stores and see what I can come up with. I noticed a neat connection on the sliding door of our Toyota mini van, but that part would be expensive new, and its too thick to fit in the available space.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Mak look up at my other post and check the link those connectors are made of brass and should hold up fine for a boat . The reason I suggested looking through the salvage yard is you can find lightly used ones for alot less than 65 bucks .


Rick

 

[drewpster]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

I know it is not your ideal situation but the simplest approach would be to use coiled cords. I am sure I have seen it before in the same kind of setup. Your correct, exposed contacts in salt water is not a great idea. Even with stainless parts you are still talking about dissimilar metals (copper, stainless) and an electric field. Corrosion will be a problem. The coils may not be as bad as you think?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

I know it is not your ideal situation but the simplest approach would be to use coiled cords. I am sure I have seen it before in the same kind of setup. Your correct, exposed contacts in salt water is not a great idea. Even with stainless parts you are still talking about dissimilar metals (copper, stainless) and an electric field. Corrosion will be a problem. The coils may not be as bad as you think?

Actually, that was the initial plan. I looked up coiled cords (mcmaster.com) and found that in a gauge heavy enough for the wiper motor draw, the price was prohibitive. I even checked into the coiled wire on minivan rear winows that run the defroster grids, and they are not heavy enough. All the wipers I found on minivans and SUV's were door mounted, not window mounted. So there was no flexable cord for wiper motors.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

I don't believe it. I just found coiled power cord. All I had to do was look up from the lap top and see that across the room is a small portable fan that clips on to things. The power cord looks like regular white lamp cord, but its coiled like phone handset cord. Duh. Its been in my livingroom all this time and I never noticed.

Now all I have to do is go to a good electrical supply and they should have it.

Gotta love it.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

Hello Mark..

Actually I've seen what your talking about with "hinge contacts " but instead of having 2 little bitty contacts ( which I dont know if that would hold the load of current between those small contacts without damaging something..or getting too hot to start scarring wood.. ) they had two strips of some kind of conductive material the width of the hinge that spanned a few fasteners on each end of your piano hinge ( not close together ).

you have a good thought there ..( I would test the load on scrap b4 I put it in my project though ) ..

YD.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

Hello Mark..

Actually I've seen what your talking about with "hinge contacts " but instead of having 2 little bitty contacts ( which I dont know if that would hold the load of current between those small contacts without damaging something..or getting too hot to start scarring wood.. ) they had two strips of some kind of conductive material the width of the hinge that spanned a few fasteners on each end of your piano hinge ( not close together ).

you have a good thought there ..( I would test the load on scrap b4 I put it in my project though ) ..

YD.

The hinge is a good idea. The hinge could have two sections cut off the end, maybe 2" wide each, and each would act as a contact between the top and the windshield frame. But I can see a greater chance for shorting out with salt water splashing around.

I'm still kicking ideas around in my head.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need help with wiring/connection to wipers

Its been a few weeks since posting about the wiper connection, but I finally found some stainless sheet metal to make the contacts between the windshield frames and the top.

This morning I was in the kitchen and my wife hands me a travel coffee mug and says "this really smells bad, I'm going to throw it out". I shake it and there is liquid inside the the insulation, and its probably rancid. So I say "Sure, toss it". Then it strikes me.... ITS STAINLESS STEEL!!!!! Woo Hoo! I found my stainless steel sheet metal. Just have to hold my nose while I cut it up.