Wiper Switch for the Wife (Co-Captain)

J

John S

New member
Looking for some Advice

I'm adding a center windshield wiper to the Tomcat. Adding this wiper gives me an opportunity. I'm interesting in giving the passenger side of the boat a switch on that side to control that wiper.

I need help with where and how to locate and mount a switch in a place where there is no actual panel to mount the switch in. Anyone who has dealt with a similar challenge and has an idea or photos they would share would find me very thankful for their advice

Thanks,
 
The momentary wiper switch on our 22' is placed on the same bulkhead as Pat's photo shows but is all the way to the left near the cockpit wall. I think the way David did it is probably better as it is easily located by visitors, guests, etc. I highly recommend installing such a switch.
 
Thanks for the photo. It really helps visualize the description. The forward bulkhead area on my Tomcat is built a little different, basically no wall to drill. But......it did give me an idea of mounting the switch next to my 12 Volt plug located in the seat structure, by the passengers legs.

Did you really mean momentary switch? So you can't leave that wiper running?? Only comes on while the button is pushed?

Thanks for the input guys, looking for any other ideas.
 
I would strongly suggest momentary. Otherwise you get the other end of the "woudya" to turn it off. The pilot side should have the ability to turn it on continuously.

Merv
 
John,

My answer won't work ALL the time, but for 95% of the time I find that just using RainX eliminates the need to use a windshield wiper. The window remains clear as the water just slides off. No water sitting on the window, no complaining passenger, no having to use the wipers.

I'd try it first. It's a lot cheaper and easier than installing a wiper switch. If it doesn't work, you can always go to plan B.

Best of luck,
 
Sarge":3bw83ca9 said:
John,

My answer won't work ALL the time, but for 95% of the time I find that just using RainX eliminates the need to use a windshield wiper. The window remains clear as the water just slides off. No water sitting on the window, no complaining passenger, no having to use the wipers.

I'd try it first. It's a lot cheaper and easier than installing a wiper switch. If it doesn't work, you can always go to plan B.

Best of luck,
Click to expand...

Sarge,

We use RainX, but we only get around a half days protection from it. It just doesn't seem to work as well on salt water, in my opinion. It is incredible on the car windows though.

We're totally committed to the whole third wiper thing. $$$100's have been spent already and the motor is drilled and installed. So now it is just a wiring and switching problem to be worked thru.

Thanks,
 
John,

Well you tried plan A, so I agree it's time for plan B. :wink:

You've been given some great advice.

Once again, best of luck.
 
After this weekend I am ready to put a wiper on my center window (as well as wouldya and intermittent switches), but dunno how to do so and allow the window to open too. John S, does the TC24 center window open? If so how are you accommodating that?

Warren
 
Doryman":3cjth40a said:
After this weekend I am ready to put a wiper on my center window (as well as wouldya and intermittent switches), but dunno how to do so and allow the window to open too. John S, does the TC24 center window open? If so how are you accommodating that?

Warren
Click to expand...

Warren I had one of the FEW boats that came from the factory with the front windows tinted. Imagine the fun I had cruising thru glacier ice at dusk! My center window ALWAYS leaked and never opened. The window manufacturer told me about how they pleaded with C-Dory NOT to install an aft leaning sliding window.

So......We are rectifying the problem and spent close to $1000 to purchase a complete one-piece center window and new clear glass for the port and starboard side windshields. I've already got the center window installed and tested. Easier install than I expected. I am in the middle of the side window project and have removed both sides, but haven't reinstalled the clear glass with sealant yet. I'm waiting for a warm day. So......the wiper will work GREAT on the one piece center window now. We can even use an 18" wiper blade.

John
 
John S: Nice move on the switch out on your TC24. I really wanted to do that on FreeByrd too prior to selling her. I do a lot of night boating and those tinted windows were not in my favor at night. Kinda-sorta a help in the mid-day summer heat down here, but even then, when I found myself on extended day anchor rafted up, that I simply put some white sheets over the slanted forward windshield and that helped bounce out the heat well.

No more tinted windows on boats for me....that is why Costal Del Mar has a shop!!

Glad to hear your window work is going well.

Byrdman
 
John S, Patrick-

I have tinted windows all around, and have never found them objectionable, but that's on a 22. (Darker on the sides and rear than the front window.) Nice privacy addition!

They obviously installed them on the TC 24 to deal with the extra sunlight issue from the slanted front window (reminds me of the rear window on the '59 Chevy and other GM products of the same year!)

How about a pantographic windshield wiper on that center window? (Blade stays parallel to window frame like a bus, truck, or airplane.)

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Addendum to my post above for those not familiar with the TC255 center window: it opens like a hatch, from the top (does not slide) with the hinge on top and a locking support rod on each side.

So the question is whether it is possible to install a wiper above this window that will allow the arm and blade to rotate out (forward) approximately 90 degrees to accommodate the movement of the window being opened.

Warren
 
Joe,

I like the pantographic wiper and have a couple on my first boat. A Harbercraft that I still own. My concern was that this window is very long and I'm not sure how much coverage I could get. So far I was just opting for the largest wiper blade I could fit making a 110 degree sweep.

Byrdman,

I would appreciate your thoughts on installing the passenger wiper switch. The cabin space of the TC24 is kind of unique from the monohulled C-Dory's and I'm intereted in your thoughts having owned one.

Thanks,
 
Hey John.... Sorry for the delay...and I appreciate the email to let me know you were asking a question. About to depart home for about a month and just a bit scattered now...and attempting to heard cats kinda sorta to get ready to go!! Spring Boating Is Here!!!

I had a total CPU crash and lost all my interior photos of my TC24, and only have the ones on this site remaining. (note to self..back up TC24 pics from C-Brat site)...

So, sitting in the forward port dinette chair, facing forward, I had a small, portable TODD table mounted on a removable post.

Sea Wolf Joe is target on with the pantographic type wipers. That is what we are not using on the Rosbourgh windows to include the center window. Yes,...the front window of the TC24 is a big one...but, with the pantographic and it's side to side wipe motion, you get more bang for the buck...and,...you can even get a washer system too which should help in the salt water spay moments. I feel sure with a bit of searching, you can find large blades for these wipers....there are some commercial vessels with very large windows in the pilot house... just snoop about the internet a bit.

As far as the switch... I like the rocker type with all 3 controls on one switch. Rock it one way for a pulse or two...then the other for stay on and run. As far as a second set to control from the port side, I would almost bet they could be wired as to just have a duplicate like 3-way light switches in our home (maybe). That would be cool...if you do not have grandchildren that thinks it is cool to turn off the wipers and watch grand Dad's face change colors... but,...if you are busy with stuff.... a little help from Co-Captain/First Mate is very handy.

I feel it would have to be mounted on the port side wall. But be real careful of what really goes on in the area when going thru the drill of flipping the seat back to face fore/aft and/or make the dinette into a bunk and back... watch real close the swing angle of all ends of all moving parts... saying, the switch may need to be a bit forward as to stay out of the way...but able to be reached now and then... Not sure if you have seen the small table that mounts to the side wall of a CD-16 cruiser. But, something sort of like that but small enough to mount the switches..and...if you get to looking at it...and feel it needs to be a bit more secure for the things that happen in the ruff waters....maybe even some sort of "permanent" mount with about a 6" wide stainless hand rail as to catch yourself on if going that way rather than just having the switches a bit exposed. Sort of the same thing on a horizontal area that takes place with the "towel holder"/rug rails along the galley to keep us off the vertical walls. I guess picture a "very mini helm" set up....

I can not remember the overhead set up above the forward facing seat and up to the windshield. It has been a few years... can you snap a shot of the forward area where you think you may want to mount them?

I do like the idea or being able to work them from both sides...particuarly if the auto pilot is set and the berth is set up as a day bed...just slow cruising taking it easy...... and not having to get up and go alllllll the way over to the helm... :mrgreen: .... or just to lay back and watch it rain.

Some great naps just lying down in the forward and dinette berths just looking up at the stars....or rain. Great boat....many good times on her... Pic below of a nice rainy night ...just kick'n back, enjoying some beverages and a bit of Southern Rock.... Lynard Skynard of course....playing Freebird...on "FreeByrd."

Byrdman
FreeByrd_Nights.sized.jpg
 
Byrdman,

Thanks for the response. Appreciate your thoughts. The standard wiper is already on it's way with an 18" wiper blade. So I could keep it as a spare later when replacing it with a panthographic. We're having a new forward windshield canvas being made right now, with a wear strip being installed underneath for a standard wiper blade. So we'll see.

I'm really torn on the whole switch idea. They don't make the rocker switch in a 3 pole switch, so I would have to get a little fancy with an inline diode according to the wiring chart.

My wife REGULARLY needs her side wiped when I don't need my side cleaned and we don't have kids or grandkids to play with switches. I'm thinking about mounting the switch right next to her left knee as she is facing forward. Mounted into the seat box. You advice is good though about thoroughly checking for obstructions to the switch. Our seat back is always facing forward while underway. We put all eyes on log watch. I don't think there is a flat surface on the port side with a hollow area behind it and there definitely isn't anything overhead. I'm not with the boat right now and won't be for two more days, so I don't have any pics of the mounting area right now.

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas, I'll try to get a picture up before I start drilling holes in the seat box and making this permanent.

Thanks,
John
 
John S-

Take a good look to see if you couldn't mount a 3" x 5" or so black project box from some source like Radio Shack directly in the center above the v-berth doorway that would be accessible from both sides with just one set of switches. Mine's slightly off center toward the helms person, but can be easily reached by the passenger. Not sure about your Tomcat 24.

I did this in my boat, but don't have a forward facing passenger seat, so I'm not sure if it'll work for you, but it does for the helms person, so it ought to work for the passenger since the boat is symetrical. I just tip the toggle forward for momentary or continuous operation as desired. The package tray has a nice little forward beveled flat to mount the box to that tips it forward about 30 degrees or so.

My plan was to have three toggle switches in the top of the box for the three windshield wipers, and three more switches below, one master for the box (red lighted rocker), and one white lighted toggle for the defogger blowers and a second red lighted toggle to turn on the heating elements in the defogger blowers.

Works out pretty nice, except I never got the center electric wiper to work right because of the considerations I mentioned earlier. Maybe someday I'll make a cut out in the forward top of the electronics shelf and add a pantographic wiper set-up in the space generated.

Sorry, no photos currently available, and the boat's at the lake right now.

Just something to think about.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe,

Thanks for the thoughts. I REALLY need to get some interior photos posted. The TC24 is the "open" floor plan of boats. There is no V-berth door. There's just one huge queen sized mattress in the forward area of the boat, but it's all open. No overhead to mount anything on.

My helm panel is so full that I couldn't even mount my fuel flow meters on the panel a couple years ago, little alone the extra switches I would like to add.

Ok, I just found a photo that "kind of" shows the front of the boat. I'm posting it now.

John

DSCF7020.sized.jpg
 
Back
Top