Center opening windshield wiper?

[William and Beth Tucker]

Has anybody installed a manual windshield wiper on the center opening window on a 25ft. C- Dory ?? Keep your life jacket on > Tucker

[B~C]

I stuck one on the center window of the 22. It sweeps a small area but it sure nice to be able to see out of that small area. If I want to open the window fully I have to open it enough to get my hand out there to park the wiper below the window frame. here's a pic
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=innerds&id=wipe3&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

[William and Beth Tucker]

Thanks Ken for the information and picture... My wife is tired of crawling outside in the rain to clean the center window.. I told her i could take it out but i think a wiper could save our marriage....Keep your life jacket on ! Tucker

[Dora~Jean]

You mean like this:


See some other pictures starting here.

[William and Beth Tucker]

Thanks !This will save our marriage for sure >plus she will not have to work the manual lever... Thanks for the picture... Is there any thing i should know before installing a electric wiper on the center window ? Does the center window open just as far as it did defore the wiper was installed ?? If not ,how much was lost ?? I thank everyone for input and ideas.. Keep your life jacket on! tucker

[Dora~Jean]

Yes, the window opens fine, might lose an inch or so at the top when the wiper arm hits the brow, but I never open it that far. Only trouble I had was finding the right wiper assembly, couldn't find the one the factory used with the shorter spindle, so finally gave up and bought the 2 1/2" (I think) standard unit. Had to build a wood spacer block on the inside to compensate. One of my nicer mods IMHO. I can measure the wiper blade size I used, that will help.

I use that wiper nearly every trip, the passengers appreciate it as much as I do. In fact, I installed a duplicate set of wiper switches on the passenger side for the port and center windows only. Then they can have charge of their own viewing!

[james]

Try "RAIN-X"

I hardly have to use my wipers, plus it helps to prevent the salt water(if you are in salt water) from etching the glass.


James

[Sea Wolf]

Steve-

Nice job! Clean installation, and simple! Your CD-25 looks great!

For those of you with a 22 ft C-Dory, the space in which the motor is mounted on Steve's (original Cruise Ship model) CD-25 is unavailable, as the overhead electronics shelf comes in right at the top of the window. (Newer models, especially with the high top, may not be this way.)

The bottom of the window is also blocked, this time by the dash tray.

I once tried to mount an electric center window wiper on my '87 CD-22 by putting the motor in the strut between the center and port windows, but there were difficulties regarding the sweep angle of the motor I had.

I do, however, think it can be done. Most of the better motors available today have the sweep angle adjustable for 45, 60, 80, or 110 degrees, and one of the two lower settings should work.

You also have to make a number of adjustments when doing W/W work, changing the wiper arm length, wiper width, sweep, and motor arm position and length as necessary, and often an adjustment in one component requires changes in the others!

It would also probably be possible to use a pantographic set up, where the blade sweeps parallel to the window frame rather than radially. This would clean a larger portion of the window.

All of this is complicated by the need to open the window for ventilation, etc,

I didn't have that issue with mine, since the older boats don't have an opening center window, but I modified the project since I rarely really need the full electric capability, and just went with electrics on the port and starboard windows and a manual wiper set up on the center one.

Rain-X is a great, simple solution without all the headaches!

Joe,

[Dora~Jean]

Thanks for the compliment Joe (BTW, I only take pictures of the 'good' parts of my boat, the rest, well...lets just leave it to the imagination).

Good points on the installation of wipers. Yes, I had to adjust the sweep angles (a little fun with the cryptic instructions they give you) and the wiper length. I too use Rain-X, exterior type on outside and inside for fog. It does work well, but in poor light (i.e., nighttime), the wiper really helps. Also for spotting those elusive dolphins a mile out.

On the CD-22, would it be possible to notch out the overhead shelf to install a wiper assy up there? Just guessing, not familiar with them.

[beermanPDX]

Reviving an old but relevant thread. I added a $40 manual wiper to my center opening window last weekend. I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The install took 15 minutes. The window opens fully with no interference from the wiper arm at all. When not being used, the wiper parks to the side so it's not in view. Granted, it's not a pantographic arm, but it clears an adequate area of the window so I can finally see!

Sorry for the bad cell phone picture. The wiper handle is next to the clock and the wiper arm is shown mid-sweep in the center of the window. The handle looks far away, but I can reach it from the seat.

[jerry97230]

I want to move my wiper motor but can not get the cover off to unbolt it.
What is the secert? Have not gotten aggressive, not not want to break it yet.

Jerry C Nile C22

[colobear]

you have to remove the wiper arm outside (good luck with that!) in order to get the motor off.

[jerry97230]

Actually I have had the arms off but do not see where that gains me anything.
Have not put alot of effort into this yet as it is down the list a bit, but.
Jerry C Nile C22