Installing electric wipers

[Tom on Icarus]

I want to install electric wipers on my 22 cruiser. I know there must be many types available on the market but many of you have already done this project so I am asking for advice on which wipers to buy and how to install them. I would like to install them overhead and keep the manual ones in place below.
I also want to install a manual wiper and possibly an electric wiper on the center opening window. Will that be possible or would that installation render the window inoperable? Any thoughts on whether to wire them together to the single wiper switch on the panel or have separate switches?
Any help with this will be greatly appreciated. I would love to see some photos too.

Cheers,
Tom

[Sea Wolf]

Tom-

You need several groups of information.

You can get some idea of the problems involved in the installation by putting the word "wipers" in our Search engine and reading the threads specific to wipers. This will familiarize you with some of the issues involved in the installation and operation. Much to think about here.

Secondly, you need someone with nearly the same model year to give you all the particulars on their set up, including:

Location of hole for motor shaft, (should be the same as the manuals.)

Motor make, model, shaft length, sweep angle (usually adjustable inside the motor gear casing), wiper arm and blade length and type. You don't have to copy the standard set up, but it's a great place to start and make comparisons to before you make your own plan. It's also far easier to copy something that's proven to work, rather than design your own and then work the bugs out!

The 22 usually has an electronics shelf right above the windows, so that the wiper motor cannot be mounted there without making a cut-out in the shelf, and even at that, the mounting would be much more difficult to work on there, IMHO. The shelf is the reason why the factory mounts the manual and electric wipers below the windows on the 22.

Separate switches for the wiper motors is more desirable, in most folks opinion, and a momentary push-button switch is a welcome addition for conditions not requiring continuous operation. A separate momentary control button for the Admiral/ 1st Mate / CEO or fishing buddy is also very desirable.

Other options include two speed motors an an intermittent relay set up like they have on cars.

The opening center window will require some thought. I know I've seen a thread where someone said that the wiper would simply fold up with the window with the motor mounted above the window, but I don't remember whether it was on a 22, or a 25, or another model. Other models may not have the electronics shelf in the way of the inside motor mounting. Mounting it externally would be an option, but exposure to water, especially salt water, may shorten the motor life considerably and require a SS bracket to be fabricated.

Pantographic wipers might seem to be an advantage, but if you look at the explanation in the WM catalogue, the extra area may be somewhat marginal on the C-Dorys. I suppose it depends on how much of the time you'll spend behind moving wiper blades. I believe David of Anna Leigh converted over to pantographic wipers, and may have some comments to add here. (They're already in one of the threads on wipers.)

Also pay attention to the comments on Rain-X, both the internal and external types. Opinion is they're both valuable additions.

You'll also want to consider blowers on the inside to work as defrosters for moisture on the windows.

This is an installation with a lot of options and decisions to make.

Good Luck, and let us know how your thinking proceeds!

Joe.

[Adeline]

When I went electric I opted for the AFI Standard kit. I never got the self-park to work satisfactorily so I simply park it with the on/off switch. I picked up a wiper-delay but never installed it. This electric required NO HOLES and was a straight swap out. I use the original arm so from the outside there is no change in appearance. More here AFI Electric Wiper Upgrade

[Tom on Icarus]

Joe,
Thanks. As always, your posts are very informative. I have looked up the subject and you sure are right....there is a lot of different opinions and methods out there. I was hoping that there was one tried and true type and method and someone would chime in with the answer. Maybe yet to come. I am sure that I have seen pictures of the overhead mount although you may be right, Joe, it may have been on a different model C.Dory.

Pete,
Thank you as well for your reply. It seems that the AFI brand of motor is very common among fellow brats. That would be the one which the factory installs so a person can't go wrong there. I will have to see if I can get that brand here in Canada. If not I may have to order one to be shipped here.

Cheers
Tom

[Adeline]