Wanted! Intermittent windscreen wipers..

[pelicanpete]

My boat (a Nimbus 310) has windscreen wipers and they can only be switched on or off. When there is slight spray I would like to be able to have them work intermittently, like on my car. I'd like to keep the present on/off switch and insert another 'in-line' switch into the dash to control the intermittent wipe action.

Does any forumite have any ideas how I can achieve this? Years ago, one could purchase from car parts shops a device that could be fitted 'in-line'. But after searching high and low I am told they are no longer available. Does anyone know differently? Do you know where I might purchase such an item? Really appreciate any help. Thanks...

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than to like to be important.

 

[ongolo]

Yes sir, quite easy.

You need a 555 timer, two resistors, a capacitor, veroboard, a driver tranni and a 20A relay (obtainable from a scrapped Audi 500se for instance where I got lots of good stuf from) and a high school kid doing physics and interested in electronics or a friendly radio ham to solder the thing together.

If you learn to do it yourself, get the parts and ask for an application sheet for the 555 timer.

regards ongolo


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[William_H]

Hello Pelicanpete car windscreen wipers rely on the wiper system having a park function where when the wiper is away from the park position a contact is made. Power comes through this contact from the battery ( not via the wiper switch) so that when you turn the wiper off the wiper continues to run until the wiper parks and the contact opens. The intermittent wiper function gives the motor power for long enough for the wipers to move away from park position so that it will continue running until it parks again. As Ongolo says this is done with a timer chip 555 which will switch a relay on for a short period at a rate adjustable but typically every 5 seconds. If your wiper in your boat doesn't have a park function or is one of the rotating type then don't despair the timer circuit can switch the relay on for a while then off for a while the wiper stops where it stops. if you think you could tackle the electronics(a bit of fun in itself) let me know if you want help. You could try the electronics shops for beginners circuits inkit form. regards will

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[pvb]

£10 from Maplin...

Maplin sell a kit which is easy to assemble. See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.maplin.co.uk/?userid=Pricerunner&targetmodule=3182>here</A> for details.

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[andyball]

vehicle wiring products 0115 9305454 sell a "windscreen wiper intermittent timer-switches on every 5 seconds" for £8.04 + vat

expect furneaux riddall on 02392 668621 will also help.

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[pelicanpete]

Appreciate the help & advice from you all. Thanks
Pete

<hr width=100% size=1>It's more important to be liked
than to like to be important.

 

[magicdog]

I've got a kit to do this which I bought years ago for an old car I had but I never fitted it - if you still haven't got a solution I'd be happy to send it to you if you cover postage.

Reply if you want it.

HTH

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