Windshield wiper push button install

ferret30

I've been meaning to post about this for a while, but in late December, when it was way to cold to do a wiring project, I decided to do a wiring project.

The wiper controls on our 22 are on the main house panel down by the driver's right knee, and using the wipers during intermittent rain in the past has caused:

* navigation/anchor lights to turn on
* horn to honk
* bilge pump to turn on
* etc.

And unless it's a driving rain, I don't like to run the wipers continuously. The dashboard has an unused spot for a second 4" gauge, and I decided to use this space to mount wiper push buttons.

These are momentary push button switches (Blue Sea 8200: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-8200-Button-Switch/dp/B000MMFK38). I considered mounting them lower where there were holes from a removed cup holder, but the panel is too thick there (cored). Actually, the gauge part of the dash is one of the only places thin enough for these switches. I arranged the switch holes so that they could be removed and replaced with another gauge if necessary.

Wiring was fairly simple. The wiper bundles each have 3 wires: positive, negative, and the third one causes the wiper to activate. The wipers need power even when they aren't activated so they can park. Basically, the positive and 'activate' wires for each wiper are spliced with pigtails near the new switch location, and connected to the switch. Pushing the button causes the 'activate' wire to momentarily connect to positive, activating the wiper.

It is important to keep the bundles separate, i.e. not share positive from one bundle with both switches. Also, don't just run power to the switch from the positive bus on the house panel. Doing either of these will partially or fully defeat the fusing for the wipers.

Now whenever there's a splash or rain that's too light for constant wiping, the switches are there and easy to run by feel.

Two Bears · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 3:20 pm Post subject:

Love IT!!

I've been wondering about converting to hand driven wipers for the reasons you mentioned.

This is a much better way to go.

Chuck

Chester · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 4:16 pm Post subject:

ferret30 · Last edited by ferret30 on Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:15 pm; edited 2 times in total

Blue Rose · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:10 pm Post subject:

What a great idea... except maybe I'll put one button on the port side for my co-pilot. Maybe she won't push my button so often if she's got her own.
Jim

Two Bears · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:12 pm Post subject:

I was telling my wife about this great idea. She looked at me kind of strangely. "You remember my old sewing machine with the bead glued to the reverse button? Well, just glue a bead on the main switch and you can do it by feel. Glue two beads on the other wiper switch. Why waste your time with all those wires?"

Hummmmm

Kind of a kill joy isn't she.

Chuck Embarassed

ferret30 · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:43 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:28 am Post subject:

Not the same, or maybe??

Instead of the push button, (which I am assuming cycles the wiper one time), could you use the same wiring diagram but replace the momentary switch with a 3 position switch, (momentary, off, on) so that if it is a light rain, it can be left in the on position, or if it is an occasional splash, just use the momentary?

I think I want to be able to still have the switches down by my knee to be masters for the wipers and then the dash board ones for active use when the masters are on.

Just some thoughts and questions.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

ferret30 · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:56 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:37 pm Post subject:

Great project and execution! On the "feel" of switches--there are small silicone "buttons" which are made for the blind to find and identify switches. We have some of these left form our blind mothers--and use them frequently in both the boat and RV to allow us to know what switch we have under finger, rather than look down from the road. For example on the RV on the left side there are 16 Rocker switches in rows of 4 each. I identify the Cruise control, the IUC lights, etc by various "bumps" so I can tell by feel, and not lower a shade or turn on some obscure lite when I want to put on the exhaust brake..Same can apply for C Dory switch. But I really like the idea of the buttons on the wipers.

hardee · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:47 pm Post subject:

I like the idea of specialized "bumps" on the switches. I do similar with keys, (notches or flat spots). Have some "bumps for some of those switches coming up --- horn, and wipers.

Thanks, good idea.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:29 pm Post subject:

ferret30 · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:46 pm Post subject:

Maybe I'm just tall or something, but reaching for the lower panel switches makes me have to lean forward a bit. Also, since I'd have to feel around either way, having braille bumps on the switches wouldn't be that much quicker than just memorizing the switch positions, counting from the bottom (by feel). The problem is I want to run the wiper maybe every 5 seconds and that's a lot of reaching. Since this project was so cheap and only took about an hour, it made sense.

PS - we just got back from the SBS and my wife is kind of drooling over the Ranger 25SC through 29. It was her first boat show and I thought it would be kind of boring for her, but I think she's already eying boats for when we retire in 30 years!

Jake B · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject:

great idea. we are going to upgrade out manual wipers later this year and I will be doing this as well. thanks for posting it up.

Sunbeam · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject:

I know! I keep hoping Ferret30 will make more upgrades, so that I can read the informative, well-illustrated posts that follow them Very Happy

Sunbeam