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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: alltech on September 23, 2009, 07:35:16 PM

Title: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: alltech on September 23, 2009, 07:35:16 PM
I am coverting my phneumatic windshield wiper motors to electric motors. I have looked at a couple of conversion kits, but they all involve a certain amount of fabrication. Quotes for the kits range from $500 to $1300. From my point of view if I have to do any fabrication to make these kits fit, I might as well do it all. I am looking for a source to procure a couple of 12 volt dynamic park drive motors. Does anyone have any suggestion on what motors to use and a supplier?

Regards,

Ross
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: Bob Belter on September 23, 2009, 08:08:21 PM
Ahoy, Ross,

Freightliner --  maybe 'millenium  ???' stuff is the windshield wiper system that I  used
for the conversion on my Eagle -01.
Reasonable price from Valley Truck Parts 800 598 5715 Fresno CA.  Serouus comercial
truck components, and you will be able to get parts for a long time. 
You must fabricate the mountings, but they work great, and have nice controls.

I now -- no longer -- wish to take a hammer and smash through the windshield
to slay those frantic air wipers!!!!!

Enjoy   /s/   Bob
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: bobofthenorth on September 23, 2009, 08:21:03 PM
I bought an electric wiper conversion from IBP the first year we were at Rickreall.  The system (http://autexacs.com/products_retrofit.htm) came from Autex in New York.  I know this because I ended up dealing directly with Miguel at Autex in order to get it working.  Mine came with some switches that had been on the shelf for a very long time in a very damp location.  Ultimately I was able to buy the switches locally at NAPA but it took a while to determine what the problem actually was.  I was well pleased with Miguel's support and assistance and once working the wipers have worked flawlessly.  PM me if you want more details but I'd call Miguel if I were you.


Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: alltech on September 23, 2009, 09:03:04 PM
Thanks for the information

I will check both these options

Regards,

Ross
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: gumpy on September 24, 2009, 04:42:06 AM
I just bought an IBP kit from a guy who had Newell. He was trying to install these but they wouldn't fit. He had started to modify the mounts before he figured out they wouldn't fit, so IBP wouldn't take them bak. I'll probably have to modify them to fit my MC9. The invoice was over $1400!!! I got them for substantially less than that  :)

Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: JackConrad on September 24, 2009, 04:49:05 AM
You might want to check with Fred Hobe in Madison, FL.  He has a kit that is great and much lower priced than IBP.  He will also install them if you take your coach to his place.  Jack
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: Melbo on September 24, 2009, 06:03:30 AM
I got mine out of a wrecked semi truck for 100 dollars but as noted took some fabrication and engineering to get it to work as desired.

Melbo
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: muddog16 on September 24, 2009, 06:27:15 AM
I agree with Bob, Miquel at Autex is the man when it comes to electric windshield wiper systems!
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: luvrbus on September 24, 2009, 06:34:43 AM
There is a outfit in Oregon called AIM that will build the system for you for less than 1/2 of what IBP charges with wet arms , no plastic on the arms and better motors.   


good luck
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: Len Silva on September 24, 2009, 02:15:12 PM
You might want to look at marine supplies.  Here is just one example:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&keyword=wiper+motor&Ntt=wiper+motor&N=377+710&y=0&x=0&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&keyword=wiper+motor&Ntt=wiper+motor&N=377+710&y=0&x=0&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch)

Using two motors would be much easier though more expensive and less cool.
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: mccarlk on September 24, 2009, 05:50:24 PM
what about about wiper motors and arms from a international school bus?
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: mccarlk on September 29, 2009, 03:28:01 AM
any thoughts on the international bus wiper motors, theres a yard with a few retired busses they are parting out , will these be stong enough?
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: gumpy on September 29, 2009, 05:22:17 AM
Quote from: mccarlk on September 29, 2009, 03:28:01 AM
any thoughts on the international bus wiper motors, theres a yard with a few retired busses they are parting out , will these be stong enough?

I think they would work ok if they are pantograph setup for the double arms. You'll have to fab brackets to fit your own install.

Actually, I thought Jack Conrad used wipers from an old schoolie, but maybe I'm mistaken.
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: luvrbus on September 29, 2009, 06:30:22 AM
Guys the air wipers can work as good as electric they have been on these buses for 20 to 50 years without any maintenance done what so ever except changing the wiper blades.
Service the motors,arms. replace the control valves and install a regulator before the air supply to keep the supply at the same pressure 90 lbs or lower depending on the speed you like and you will be amazed how good they work.  
There is a delay action available for air also for those who would like it



good luck
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: Eagle Andy on September 29, 2009, 05:19:29 PM
Hey Clifford , I was inpressed with mine after I reworked mine (one down one to go) It was rather easy . Anyway were can I get a delay ? Thanks Andy
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: TomCat on September 29, 2009, 06:29:17 PM
Call me "Old School", but I really like my air wipers.

When I'm alone at night on a rainy highway, the sound of my air wipers cycling back and forth...sometimes stuttering, sometimes slowing, they have to ability to transport me back in time.

They can take me back to a much simpler time, when I was growing up in Mobile Alabama in the 1950's, and the cars and trucks I rode in all were equipped with vacuum wipers.

That steady his back and forth hissing of the air wipers has the ability to let me forget the sad current state of the world, and be 10 years old again!
Am I ready to give that up? HA...Not likely!   ;D

Jay
87 SaftLiner
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: tomhamrick on September 30, 2009, 05:07:23 AM
I have put rebuilt motors on my air wipers and they work just fine.  I don't  use them much anyway because I keep RainX on the windshield and I don't need them. I use them just to keep them exercised.
Tom Hamrick
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: Eagle Andy on September 30, 2009, 05:16:34 AM
Hey Tom , Do you use the liquid rain X or the spray and what wos better for you ? Thanks Andy
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: luvrbus on September 30, 2009, 05:34:37 AM
Andy, the Aguapel is a far better product than Rainx it is used by the airlines.
A 3 parts vinegar and 1 part water mixture works good also 





good luck
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: tomhamrick on September 30, 2009, 10:00:50 AM
Where do you find Aquapel? I'll give it a try if it is better than RainX.  Andy, I have used the spray, but I wound up just spaying on the cloth to apply becuse it gave me better control. So I just buy the pour bottle.
Tom Hamrick
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: Just Dallas on September 30, 2009, 10:45:25 AM
Removed
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: tomhamrick on September 30, 2009, 12:54:48 PM
That's interesting. I'll give that a try. Thanks
Tom Hamrick
Title: Re: Electric Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion
Post by: NewbeeMC9 on September 30, 2009, 01:23:12 PM

When I use rain-x,  the drops tend to not go any where toward the center of the bus,  just kinda dance in one place :D.  Part of the brick aerodynamics I guess.