Self Park Wipers

[big-boss]

DO you think your car will have less value now? Since it is not "original" Kirkham?

Sounds like a great thing to do, getting the crazy thing back at 100MPH is dangerous.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The other alternative is to NOT use your wipers. I haven't yet. No plans to either.

One trip along Skyline on an early morning and you'll find that RainX won't be enough....and you'll be reaching for the wipers.

[FatBoy]

Over here in the UK, you can't rely on any journey being completely dry.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by big-boss

DO you think your car will have less value now? Since it is not "original" Kirkham?

Hmm, perhaps... especially now that the SAAC has announced the inclusion of Cobras with rotary, self-parking, wiper switches. Frankly, it's been a long time comin'....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Hmm, perhaps... especially now that the SAAC has announced the inclusion of Cobras with rotary, self-parking, wiper switches. Frankly, it's been a long time comin'....

Although very reluctantly. "Those" Cobras will be "separate and distinct" from the rest at shows.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Although very reluctantly. "Those" Cobras will be "separate and distinct" from the rest at shows.

Yes, admittedly we have to sit at the back of the book. And we're prohibited from making direct eye contact with any of the aluminum cars. But at least it's a step forward....

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yes, admittedly we have to sit at the back of the book. And we're prohibited from making direct eye contact with any of the aluminum cars. But at least it's a step forward....

That's OK, us Kirkham guys aren't allowed to make eye contact with the fiberglass CSX owners. (per David K.)

[elmariachi]

I have that same switch and can't figure out if it permits the park feature. I gave up trying, I'll never drive in the rain.

Nothing worse than having a wiper switch that won't park on a replica that I can't call a replica.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

I have that same switch and can't figure out if it permits the park feature. I gave up trying...

It doesn't, you have to rig up the internals via a separate circuit board. Hopefully Bob P. won't yell at me for boosting this off the ERA wiring instructions and posting it.

[elmariachi]

Thanks Pat, I think I have that somewhere, but its #13 on my priority list now, right behind re-installing my Armando modified oil pan and testing my new fan. Did I tell you my timing and mixture is good?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Thanks Pat, I think I have that somewhere, but its #13 on my priority list now, right behind re-installing my Armando modified oil pan and testing my new fan.

I understand, but it's not as difficult as it looks and most of it can be done at the kitchen table. If I didn't have it already done for me I would just wire a small relay that powers the low speed (Terminal #5 on the Wiper motor) all the time, but route it through terminals #2 & #4. Those two terminals open the connection when the wipers are in the park position. Thus power gets cut when the switch is in the Park position when the wipers are down where they should be parked.

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Did I tell you my timing and mixture is good?

Uhhh, I don't know... I think you should pull your head gaskets and water pump just to make sure.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I understand, but it's not as difficult as it looks and most of it can be done at the kitchen table.

My kitchen door isn't big enough.

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uhhh, I don't know... I think you should pull your head gaskets and water pump just to make sure.

Both water pumps or just one?

Thread hijack over.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

My kitchen door isn't big enough.

The more I think about it the easier it is. You don't even have to crawl under the dash. You can do it right at the plug that goes in to the wiper motor. Here's the formula: If [3 OR 5] FALSE and [2 XOR 4] FALSE then PARK. You do remember what an eXclusive OR is don't ya?

[elmariachi]

Yep. I need to look at my notes but I think I tried that at the switch and it didn't work.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Pep. I need to look at my notes but I think I tried that at the switch and it didn't work.

You can't do it at the switch, 2 and 4 are on the wiper motor and are open for about 20 degrees of the motor's arc. That's when you park the blades; you use the open circuit between those two connectors to kill the motor. The more sophisticated circuitry of the ERA board prevents "momentum overrun" by creating the drag by shorting out the generator action. That's probably overkill, but I don't know. I think the motor would probably stop quick enough just having the power pulled on it.

[FatBoy]

I've been playing around with a couple of rotary switches that I bought off ebay. One is the original style (39156) 3 position switch, but that needs a external relay as used by ERA to get the self-park. The other is a Rover P6 wiper switch with 2 positions, plus a variable sweep position. This switch also has a press function, originally intended for washers.

I don't have washers on my car, so that feature was surplus to requirements. However, the three rotary positions don't allow for self park, so I decided to try using the washer switch as a "press to park" function and I'm pleased to report it works fine.

Position #1 is OFF, position #2 is high speed and the 3rd position provides a variable slow speed. Turn the wipers of and they stop at the position they were in when turned off. However, a brief press on the knob and they will self park.

Not exactly as original, but it looks right and they self park without the need for fancy relay boards. Result.

Paul

[patrickt]

Any chance of a pic?

[FatBoy]

What bit do you want a picture of?

[PANAVIA]

The 65-66 mustang switch may be able to do the same things. and you could add windshield washers to the same switch.

but then you probably would want roll up windows too.