Intermitent wiper

C

C-Wolfe

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Location
Anchorage
C Dory Year
2008
C Dory Model
255 Tomcat
Vessel Name
Valhalla
We get a lot of rainy day in my cruising area, and spray when its not raining. Anyone have installed or know if it will be possible to replace the wiper switch for intermittent switch. I'm considering moving the wiper switches for a more convenient location and will also enjoy and intermittent option.
 
Easy.

Just run and new + wire (red) from the hot side of the wiper switch on the DC panel to the + side of the wiper except interrupt that new wire with a push button placed in a convenient place. Then you have the best of both worlds. Both port and starboard wipers on my boat are set up that way and it works great.
 
I was wanting the same thing on my the old TyBoo for breezy days on choppy water when it didn't need to have a wiper running or even making a swipe at set times.

I installed a push button momentary switch near the floor on the helm bulkhead that I could bump or hold as needed. Just a kick would give the wiper one swipe and back to parked or hold it in for a second or three to give it a few wipes. After a very short while it got so I would do it without even thinking about it. Unless it was raining hard I rarely turned the wiper on with the toggle switch.

The button was close to the floor so I didn't have to lift my foot to kick the switch, I would just pivot on the heel to push it. Nobody but me seemed to think it was a good idea until they ran the boat and used the thing one time. I already told Will if he doesn't at least give it a try for a while before he takes it out of the boat he bought from me he would have to give the boat back.

I also put a similar button up high on the port side bulkhead so the passenger could fire the wiper over there for a couple swipes but not turn it on continuously.
 
I have done this too. I have a (on)-off-(on) switch mounted where I can operate it while still holding the helm wheel. One way for the port wiper, the other for the starboard wiper. Works great. I've only used this switch in the last few years to operate the wipers as needed. Usually a pass or two from time to time is sufficient. Haven't ever been in a situation where I needed to have the wipers run continuously. Mostly they are used to get spray off the windows.
 
Just run and new + wire (red) from the hot side of the wiper switch on the DC panel to the + side of the wiper except interrupt that new wire with a push button placed in a convenient place.

I have also done this. Original on/off wiper switches are left in place and I spliced in what is known as a momentary switch for both port and starboard wipers mounted near the top of the dash right behind the steering wheel that is very easy to access. Very easy to bump them as needed and if it rains real hard you can still turn the original switch on full time. I also mounted a separate momentary switch on the port side dash so my second mate can clear her window as needed if I get too busy. Works very well and is a simple inexpensive and reliable install.

Something like this
https://defender.com/en_us/cole-hersee- ... 8031-07-bp
 
Thanks for the responses, I'll try some variation of those, I do like the idea of a momentary switch at a more convenient location. It will be a lot cheaper then the intermittent option that I mention above, probably work just as good since it appear to be a common way of improving the issue and more reliable.

TyBoo, I need to give more thought to your idea. As of now, I can't figure out if it is really a good way to do it or if it was just a way for you to get your boat back 8)
 
Or you can run a wire from the +12 bus through a switch to the on (i.e. output) terminal of the existing swtich. Makes the two wiper switches in parallel.
 
Or you can run a wire from the +12 bus through a switch to the on (i.e. output) terminal of the existing switch.
Click to expand...
I messed up when I said above: "the hot side of the wiper switch on the DC panel". I meant to say to route the wire from the downstream (switched) side of the switch so that ALL power is withheld from the wiper circuit if the breaker is turned off. Most folks will assume that there is no power in any part of a circuit when the breaker is off. If you route from the positive bus, or somewhere else not controlled by the wiper's breaker, that assumption will be invalid.
 
I wanted intermittent wipers as well so I just replaced the on-off rocker switch with an on-off-mom rocker switch in the same package. Flip the switch in one direction and the wipers are on, touch the switch in the other direction and they make one cycle. The factory switch is not in the most convenient location but I was surprised how quick my hands learned were it was.
 
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