Updating Wipers to Electric

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 3:13 pm Post subject: Updating Wipers to Electric

Has anyone done this (silly question, I'm sure) on an old C-Dory? It seems as though wiper motors vary in price from $30 to $300... so I'm wondering what has already been used to upgrade your manual wipers to electric.

Jake B · Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:07 pm Post subject:

I looked at doing this and have the info at home that i was looking to upgrade too. after running my buddies sea sport a week or so ago I found it just as annoying to turn the switch on and off for sea spray as I do turning the hand crank. so I am holding off for now.
about the only reason I would swap to electric is if i could get them on a pulse like car so I could set it to be all the time or every 5 sec. every boat wiper I have ever had was all or none.

thataway · Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:13 pm Post subject:

Jake, There have been several "threads" on intermittent adaption of the standard AFI wipers which most of the C Dory have.

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:21 pm Post subject:

I saw threads on discussion of intermittent wiper switches as well, I just didn't see what motors etc people were using to get started.

I figured the elec wipers, while not 100% necessary, would provide me with a job and excuse to spend time on the boat when its on the side of the house and not in the water. Cool

hardee · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 2:44 am Post subject:

therevdr · Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:02 pm Post subject: Updating Wipers to Electric

Back when I put electric wipers on my 2002 22' C-dory Cruiser, there was some discussion about wipers that I tapped into . . . the best advice for me, back then and it still works now, was KEEP THE MANUAL WIPERS!!
I very occasionally use the electric (and at those times it is fantastic!), but the manual wipers are almost a necessity!!

Sea Angel · Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Dustin;
Here is where I replaced and upgraded my wiper system. I get a lot of spray on the Lower Ches. Bay, as anyone in chop would also.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album1306&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

This is the documentation for my system. I have added the washer and momentary switches. At the helm I have switches for for both wipers & one for the washer. There is one switch on the port side for the port wiper just for the mate. These are in parallel with the manual switcher so if needed I can have the wipers run continuously; which I seldom do. All wiper motors are self parking; once started, they go through a complete cycle.

This upgrade also allowed me to use a longer (14" vis. 13") wiper blade than the original.

Hope this gives some idea of what you could do to make it safer for you. I say this because in the fall I'm most often running into the sun to return to the marina and the dry salt on the windshield does not make for a comfortable encounter with east bound boats on the river/creek.

The CD22 & 25 can use the same motors, as I understand it, but the '22 may be able to go a size smaller, probably due to a lighter load.

Art