Need Alternative to Stock Defroster

sparkplug188 · October 10, 2014, 10:08:18 AM

I need to come up with a working defroster for my Eagle. The existing unit and lines were in bad shape, so I removed them and caped the lines back at the engine. Does anybody know of a 12 volt (or 120 volt) defroster? Heat and air conditioning is already taken care of by 48,000 BTUs total from mini-splits. I just need something to satisfy the DOT requirement of a working defroster.

eagle19952 · October 10, 2014, 10:24:38 AM

i have given this a lot of thought, no conclusion. yet.

Stormcloud · October 10, 2014, 10:45:38 AM

Just tossing it out there.....

How about a 120 volt electric hair blowdryer? It can be ducted easily, most have lower heat settings,
120 volt is no problem you say.

luvrbus · October 10, 2014, 10:48:38 AM

Check out the DC Thermal site they make a lot of 12 v heaters but low watt and high amp draw I have one in a 05 but never used it so I don't if they work or not

Jeremy · October 10, 2014, 01:41:30 PM

I've seen electric defrosters advertised for kit cars and stuff - whether they'd be any good on something as big as a bus windscreen though....

It's also worth just trying to blow cold air at your windscreen as that will often go a long way towards defrosting it (depending on your climate and how dry the air is)

Jeremy

sparkplug188 · October 10, 2014, 02:31:52 PM

Thanks guys! By this time next week, my bus will have a DC Thermal defroster installed.

chessie4905 · October 10, 2014, 03:11:34 PM

Go to Red Dot company; They have many solutions for heat, AC, and/ or defrost that are used in commercial vehicles

Boomer · October 10, 2014, 08:42:07 PM

I put a DC Thermal unit in my Silverside, up where the destination sign scroll used to be. The PD3751 had factory heat duct slots cut in above the windshield so it was a slam dunk.

sparkplug188 · October 11, 2014, 03:52:51 PM

Boomer-- I am glad you mentioned that. Are you satisfied with the DC Thermal unit blowing from the top of the windshield? I have about 3 cu.ft. of unplanned space above my windshield... more than enough room for the DC Thermal unit.

Boomer · October 13, 2014, 07:29:52 PM

To be perfectly honest I have never used it. Don't drive in conditions that would need it. I went with the lowest CFM unit and it does not seem to blow at much velocity but may be enough if you needed them. Have a fan mid point above the windshields, the combination of the two are probably good enough.