Wiper Door-- electric conversion questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Wiper Door-- electric conversion questions
I've searched the old threads on this topic and have found where some of you guys have converted the wiper door operation from vacuum to electric operation, but I can't find any posts that actually have photos of what you used. I'd love to see some photos of what you have done.
If you have done it, which way did you go: linear actuator rod or rotary actuator and why?
If you went with the linear set up, what stroke length?
I look forward to seeing some examples of your mods.
If you have done it, which way did you go: linear actuator rod or rotary actuator and why?
If you went with the linear set up, what stroke length?
I look forward to seeing some examples of your mods.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
As large as the vac actuator is and the long rubber boot that covers the rod..........I would fit a screw jack actuator inside the vac valve and boot and no one would know it was their.
I just fixed my wipers and door but next time I will go the electric route for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
linear actuator. Used 2 relays to change polarity. The actuators internal limit switch stops at closed. I use a dpdt microswitch instead of the spst wiper door switch to limit the door open, and energize the wiper motor. Works like a charm.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
I eliminated all but the main arm of the mechanism and used a 2" acuator.
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=136
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=136
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I used a ~6" actuator, Chris, 69myway, got it for me, I used Radio shack burglar alarm contacts with magnets on the door itself, the reason is they are waterproof, microswitches are not waterproof, and in the wet may well fail....the contacts are readily available and cheep too....
the relays are basically easy...I used 3 of them, could go Solid state if I wanted to, but why bother?? the red WSW wiper motor wire is not needed, I put in a more 'normal' GM wiper motor setup, sans the pump action, used a 15 buck aftermarket pump and a button for that action...
I glued one contact to the windshield, and the other to the grill in front, two magnets on the door....4 wires through to inside behind the map pocket area where the 3 relays are glued/wired together with the main power relay support bolted to the cowling...ground to another bolt, one of the relays is a reversing relay, sole purpose is to reverse the polarity of the motor +- wires, the others are to turn on/off, and interact with the switches to limit the travel....
been there about 4 years now...
the relays are basically easy...I used 3 of them, could go Solid state if I wanted to, but why bother?? the red WSW wiper motor wire is not needed, I put in a more 'normal' GM wiper motor setup, sans the pump action, used a 15 buck aftermarket pump and a button for that action...
I glued one contact to the windshield, and the other to the grill in front, two magnets on the door....4 wires through to inside behind the map pocket area where the 3 relays are glued/wired together with the main power relay support bolted to the cowling...ground to another bolt, one of the relays is a reversing relay, sole purpose is to reverse the polarity of the motor +- wires, the others are to turn on/off, and interact with the switches to limit the travel....
been there about 4 years now...
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I used a ~6" actuator, Chris, 69myway, got it for me, I used Radio shack burglar alarm contacts with magnets on the door itself, the reason is they are waterproof, microswitches are not waterproof, and in the wet may well fail....the contacts are readily available and cheep too....
the relays are basically easy...I used 3 of them, could go Solid state if I wanted to, but why bother?? the red WSW wiper motor wire is not needed, I put in a more 'normal' GM wiper motor setup, sans the pump action, used a 15 buck aftermarket pump and a button for that action...
I glued one contact to the windshield, and the other to the grill in front, two magnets on the door....4 wires through to inside behind the map pocket area where the 3 relays are glued/wired together with the main power relay support bolted to the cowling...ground to another bolt, one of the relays is a reversing relay, sole purpose is to reverse the polarity of the motor +- wires, the others are to turn on/off, and interact with the switches to limit the travel....
been there about 4 years now...
the relays are basically easy...I used 3 of them, could go Solid state if I wanted to, but why bother?? the red WSW wiper motor wire is not needed, I put in a more 'normal' GM wiper motor setup, sans the pump action, used a 15 buck aftermarket pump and a button for that action...
I glued one contact to the windshield, and the other to the grill in front, two magnets on the door....4 wires through to inside behind the map pocket area where the 3 relays are glued/wired together with the main power relay support bolted to the cowling...ground to another bolt, one of the relays is a reversing relay, sole purpose is to reverse the polarity of the motor +- wires, the others are to turn on/off, and interact with the switches to limit the travel....
been there about 4 years now...
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I guess I'm going to have to look into this but is there any reason you couldn't set this up like power door locks,push the toggle and it opens then push the toggle to close ? (no relays )
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
That's the easiest solution. I just wanted mine to work off the factory switch. Besides, relays are cheap, a couple bucks each, and the dpdt limit switch was under $10 and fit perfectly where the original wiper door switch fit.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I eliminated all but the main arm of the mechanism and used a 2" acuator.
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=136
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=136
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Thanks for the added info.
I had found the Fegelli actuators on the internet, and also saw some from AutoLoc, part # 6179E, that were only about 6.25" (158mm) long. I'll have to go back and look at the FA's but I think they were almost 10" long for the 2" stroke.
Keep the info coming!
I had found the Fegelli actuators on the internet, and also saw some from AutoLoc, part # 6179E, that were only about 6.25" (158mm) long. I'll have to go back and look at the FA's but I think they were almost 10" long for the 2" stroke.
Keep the info coming!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Oops....website is www.route66supply.com
Thanks for the added info.
I had found the Fegelli actuators on the internet, and also saw some from AutoLoc, part # 6179E, that were only about 6.25" (158mm) long. I'll have to go back and look at the FA's but I think they were almost 10" long for the 2" stroke.
Keep the info coming!
I had found the Fegelli actuators on the internet, and also saw some from AutoLoc, part # 6179E, that were only about 6.25" (158mm) long. I'll have to go back and look at the FA's but I think they were almost 10" long for the 2" stroke.
Keep the info coming!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 8
From: Scarborough Qld
I did mine over 25 years ago. I didnt know about actuators then, so I used a Mazda RX7 pop up head light motor.
I welded its mounting bracket to the vacum mounting bracket, modified the vacum shaft to fit on the rotary arm of the headlight motor. Then used a DPDT relay to sense power to the wiper motor to lift the wiper door when power goes to the wipers & more importantly not close until the wipers are parked.
I havnt touhed this setup in 25 years & it works every time.
If you want to go down this path, I will try to post some pics.
Otherwise, goodluck with whichever method you decide to use.
Cheers from Aus.
I welded its mounting bracket to the vacum mounting bracket, modified the vacum shaft to fit on the rotary arm of the headlight motor. Then used a DPDT relay to sense power to the wiper motor to lift the wiper door when power goes to the wipers & more importantly not close until the wipers are parked.
I havnt touhed this setup in 25 years & it works every time.
If you want to go down this path, I will try to post some pics.
Otherwise, goodluck with whichever method you decide to use.
Cheers from Aus.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Thanks Andrew. I'm guessing the linear actuator is smaller than the Mazda setup, but if you can post a pic I'd love to see how it looks. I have not ordered anything yet, but I need to within the next week.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
I did mine over 25 years ago. I didnt know about actuators then, so I used a Mazda RX7 pop up head light motor.
I welded its mounting bracket to the vacum mounting bracket, modified the vacum shaft to fit on the rotary arm of the headlight motor. Then used a DPDT relay to sense power to the wiper motor to lift the wiper door when power goes to the wipers & more importantly not close until the wipers are parked.
I havnt touhed this setup in 25 years & it works every time.
If you want to go down this path, I will try to post some pics.
Otherwise, goodluck with whichever method you decide to use.
Cheers from Aus.
I welded its mounting bracket to the vacum mounting bracket, modified the vacum shaft to fit on the rotary arm of the headlight motor. Then used a DPDT relay to sense power to the wiper motor to lift the wiper door when power goes to the wipers & more importantly not close until the wipers are parked.
I havnt touhed this setup in 25 years & it works every time.
If you want to go down this path, I will try to post some pics.
Otherwise, goodluck with whichever method you decide to use.
Cheers from Aus.
pics please
