Gin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
- Messages
- 874
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-31 S
- Vessel Name
- Echo II (2019)
I've been surprised how little I used my windshield wipers on rainy nights during the Christmas Ships parade season. Part of that is that we move along at 4-5 knots most of the time, and the rain just doesn't drive hard against the windows. (Plus I treat them ahead of time with Aquapel, a Rain X like product). But there are times it helps to turn on the wipers. At those times, I'd really like to not have to worry about the two for the passenger. I stay focused on what I can see, and I'm on the VHF mic, so I don't want to think about when or how often the first made needs the wiper switches flipped. (I've been surprised at how often the rain is coming off to one side, and only one or two windows get much rain).
This year, I decided to add switches to the port side for the two port side front windows. I used small "flush" mounted toggle switches. After installing them flush, I decided they had a more ergonomically comfortable angle slightly raised. So I then mounted them in a teak block that I attached to the top of the helm. For fun, I used toggle switches with small red and green lights that illuminate when they are on. A sneaky way to teach others that green is starboard and red is port. 😉
It was an easy matter to add the switches. No complicated wiring. They are just wired in line with the original switch. But there was the problem of what to do with the wiring. I decided to use some teak "u channel" (actually, teak railing that was being recycled at a second hand store) for a wire racing above the opening to the V-berth. It worked fine, but I did have to be very careful screwing it into the cabin wall, which is thin in that area.
The first photo is of the auxiliary port-side wiper controls. The second is the teak racing that hides the wires.
Gini
This year, I decided to add switches to the port side for the two port side front windows. I used small "flush" mounted toggle switches. After installing them flush, I decided they had a more ergonomically comfortable angle slightly raised. So I then mounted them in a teak block that I attached to the top of the helm. For fun, I used toggle switches with small red and green lights that illuminate when they are on. A sneaky way to teach others that green is starboard and red is port. 😉
It was an easy matter to add the switches. No complicated wiring. They are just wired in line with the original switch. But there was the problem of what to do with the wiring. I decided to use some teak "u channel" (actually, teak railing that was being recycled at a second hand store) for a wire racing above the opening to the V-berth. It worked fine, but I did have to be very careful screwing it into the cabin wall, which is thin in that area.
The first photo is of the auxiliary port-side wiper controls. The second is the teak racing that hides the wires.
Gini