"Intermittent"wiper switches; input, experience et

L

localboy

New member
I noted some of you have round switches on your dash that control the wipers, making them somewhat "intermittent" by your input. I have a list of spring projects and this is one.

How do your setups work? I am looking at this switch or similar.
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/prod...85-MOMENTARY-PUSH-BUTTON-SWITCH.aspx?cid=6896

It is normally "off" and momentarily "on" only when pushed, then spring loaded back to "off". Is this how most are done? I assume you leave the main wiper rockers "on" when needed and this provides power to them only when pressed which actuates the wipers.

Any input, as usual, is appreciated!
 
I had that very switch on the electric macerator marine head in my old mini-houseboat. It is very heavy duty and heavy to push. If you are going to do your own intermittent wiper by hitting that switch, you will have a sore finger or two quickly. I just hit the panel rocker switch if I need a quick wipe. ( Ummm...that comment refers to the window wipers, not the marine head). Yes, I have to rocker it back to off, but no big deal. Otherwise if I have enough rain or spray to do intermittent regularly, I just leave them on.

In any case, if you are set on doing a manual intermittent, look for a lighter duty, easier to press switch than that one. If you have to have a lot of current, then you may need a light duty switch with a heavy duty DC relay.
 
Mark - that's a good plan. Put one for the port window where both passenger and skipper can reach it. The starboard switch works great down by the floor where you can push it with your foot. I stuck mine there and it is great. You need it the most when in splashing seas that usually require one hand on the helm and one on the throttle. I'll see if I can find the switch I used for you. It is a NAPA starter PB switch. Just a few bucks.
 
Mark-

Mine have two switches to each wiper. They're wired in parallel to the wiper motor:

1. A toggle switch for continuous wiper operation when put into the "On" position.

2. A Momentary switch that is spring loaded. Pressing it starts the wiper, which runs until the switch is released. However, on some motors, once the button is pushed, the wiper takes over and stays on until it returns to the "Park" position, where it shuts itself off.

The first switch alone will do the job if you have self-parking wipers. Just switch it momentarily to the "On" position to start the wiper motor, and the wiper is wired in such a manner that it will run until the wiper blade returns to the park position. (This is really done by a cam operated switch inside the motor itself, but produces the same result.) (The motor has a separate hot lead independent of the operator's switch to allow this.)

So if you have self-parking wiper motors, you really only need an on-off switch.

One can also put a second switch in another convenient position for the passenger, such as one for the port window. Again, it's wired in parallel with the primary switch for the helmsman (person).

One could have a complete second set of switches for all the windows, if needed. However, with the on-off continuous switch, the wiper will operate continuously if either switch is left in the "On" position.

Dual control systems like this are necessary for other control functions than windshield wipers where larger boats have both flying bridges and interior helm stations.

Hope this is clear, if not, ask for clarification as needed.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
The NAPA part number for the switches I used is ECH STB6301. They are several bucks rather than a few. It is similar to the one you picked but more compact and comes with a rubber bonnet to facilitate kicking without getting wet or dirty inside.

The button is stiff to push but remember you do not have to hold it down. Just bump it to get the wiper moving and the park circuit will give it one sweep.
 
Joe your description is how I'd like them to operate. That way I can use it as Mike described, for splashing seas AND in the event it really rains, they can still stay on full time. I think ours self park. I'd like to have one for starboard and one for port ideally. I'll have to do some wire tracing and see if I can wire it correctly.
 
localboy":137dxmq0 said:
Joe your description is how I'd like them to operate. That way I can use it as Mike described, for splashing seas AND in the event it really rains, they can still stay on full time. I think ours self park. I'd like to have one for starboard and one for port ideally. I'll have to do some wire tracing and see if I can wire it correctly.
Click to expand...

Mark-

Thanks for the notes from all of us!

Let us know if we can help out again!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Cole Hersee makes a number of wiper switches, including momentary, intermittent and push to wash--similar to car units which can be used in boats.
 
I have AFI wiper motors on my CD-25. When you push the rocker switch momentairly the wiper moves across the windshield and back to the park position. The wiper system needs a moment of 12 vdc to start and then the wiper system takes control and completes the cycle.

My next project is to build a true intermittant wiper control system. You would turn on the wipers with your rocker switch and then adjust the delay timing by a potentionometer. I am showing the circuit that I plan to use. The complete system will be posted in a few months with parts list and pictures to show the whole deal in detail.

Here is the schematic. It should be plug and play with two holes drilled in the fire wall for the potentionometer shafts to stick out below the switch panel.

Work_Schematic.jpg
 
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php

I used the above simple approach to wiper control. Here on the Lower Ches. Bay we either have rain all the time or only 'bow spray'. This installation for Sea Angel allows the mate to control the port side; else, the helm can do either or both to clear the spray.

The windshield washer is a bonus I really appreciate when heading west while returning to the marina traveling on a narrow creek with traffic. This helps to clear any dried salt spray.

These are borrowed ideas from the folks here.

Art
 
What I plan on doing in the next week is installing a push-pull switch starboard and port within easy reach tied into the rocker switches. So when the rocker switch is on each wiper motor can be individually controlled by passenger or skipper. I like the push-pull switch because it’s less likely to get broken and requires a small hole for installation.

As always my motto - KISS

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50557
 
If I may suggest that a push-pull switch, unless it spring loaded to a position, will do the same function as the rocker switch that is on the control panel. Both switches will act as a "master" switch to the wiper motor so you will have to make sure both are OFF to have the wipe arm properly positioned.

If you were to lose a wiper blade you could have 2 switches to contend with before the windshield is scratched. This is why I recommend to only use a normal OFF,spring loaded - momentary ON, switch at each position with the helm being the master controling switch. ( After all, this is where the responsibility falls to keep that lookout.) Oh, that sounds more harsh than I want it.

Since I have a separate switch for each wiper motor, I can set one on all the time and use the momentary switch only when needed for the opposite side; which would be that case of heavy spray coming off the bow at an angle.

Just an opinion. I hope you find the solution that gives you the confidence and satisfaction that you deserve. I'm looking forward to hearing how you plans work.

Art
 
Sea Angel":1nye6szm said:
If I may suggest that a push-pull switch, unless it spring loaded to a position, will do the same function as the rocker switch that is on the control panel. Both switches will act as a "master" switch to the wiper motor so you will have to make sure both are OFF to have the wipe arm properly positioned.

If you were to lose a wiper blade you could have 2 switches to contend with before the windshield is scratched. This is why I recommend to only use a normal OFF,spring loaded - momentary ON, switch at each position with the helm being the master controling switch. ( After all, this is where the responsibility falls to keep that lookout.) Oh, that sounds more harsh than I want it.

Since I have a separate switch for each wiper motor, I can set one on all the time and use the momentary switch only when needed for the opposite side; which would be that case of heavy spray coming off the bow at an angle.

Just an opinion. I hope you find the solution that gives you the confidence and satisfaction that you deserve. I'm looking forward to hearing how you plans work.

Art
Click to expand...

Not so,

I just installed the two push-pull switches tonight, they work wonderfully. I have rocker switches inconveniently located on the control panel for each wiper, when the rocker switches are on you must pull out the secondary switch for the wipers to work. When one of the secondary conveniently located switches is pushed in the wipers park as normal, this is because I used the red wire. If your system is color coded like mine there are three wires that go to each wiper: red, blue and black. Blue is always hot because its use to park the wiper motor, the red wire bypasses or overrides the eternal wiper motor park switch, black is ground.

If you use the red wire with the secondary switch the wipers will park when the switch is off; pushed in.

So if you just want a single wipe a quick pull and push does the trick, sweet!

Now if the snow would just melt things would be fantastic.
 
Breausaw;
You did a nice job on your Oil Bath Hub service pixs.

I see now why you chose the switch setup you did. Our panels are similiar, but different for switch access. On a similiar note, I keep threatening to replace my ON-OFF type switch to the horn with a push button momentary ON.... maybe next month. Why, I may be able to use this switch position on the panel for an added bilge pump and place a big red push button above my wiper push buttons for the horn.

I have added the wiring diagram of my wiper and washer setup to the previous link to my album. This may help with some of your future documentation ideas. I guess that is my anchor; document, document and document.

Stay warm up there. it was in the 70s here yesterday and I did yard work and cut the grass for the first time this year....... no snow so far this year.

Art
 
Neil, yes I've used it a number of times on our boat. It works very well, and the wipers hardly get utilized when I have the windows coated with it. :thup (I always have a bottle of it on board, but unfortunately, tend to forget to use it). Thanks for the reminder. Not a bad thing to carry with you in the PNW anyhow. My wipers went out once on my flatbed truck and I just pulled over to side of the road, gave the windsheild a quick treatment and was back on the road singing " :note I Can See Clearly Now :note ".
 
I use it too. But I'm gonna look at some push/pull switches and hook them up like Breausaw did. KISS and they'll work just like I want them too.
 
Have been using rains for yrs on the boat. It also makes it a cinch on a dirty window to just take a damp towel and go over the window and then wipe down with a dry one.
 
Back
Top