intermittent wiper control

chessie4905 · July 22, 2019, 08:23:00 AM

I have one of these kits not used. If anyone has an interest to add intermittent to their air wipers. Installed one on mine and it works great. Note: highly recommended to replace copper tubing in your system under dash to nylon to ease installation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sprague-Spartan-Scientific-Intermittent-Wiper-Kit-E-002-047-NOS/382383421205?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D57921%26meid%3Dff6418b4d2bc49709c12dda708c4f1f5%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D223564600503%26itm%3D382383421205%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

richard5933 · July 22, 2019, 05:21:52 PM

Sounds like something I need.

I'm going to be installing new nylon air lines to the wiper controls when I install the new valves, so I might as well get this thing installed at the same time.

The knob that comes with it does look just like the knobs on my new control valves that I got from Luke. I was trying to figure out how I was going to deal with the old washer knob not matching the knobs that came with the new wiper control valves, but this solves that. I think that I'll use the mounting hole from the washer valve to mount the new intermittent controller. That gives me two wiper control knobs and the intermittent knobs all matching.

For the washer I think that I'll take this opportunity to update and install an electric washer pump, and I'll just put a momentary switch in the dash in one of the existing unused switch mounting holes. Easy peazy.

Iceni John · July 22, 2019, 10:00:09 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on July 22, 2019, 05:21:52 PM
For the washer I think that I'll take this opportunity to update and install an electric washer pump, and I'll just put a momentary switch in the dash in one of the existing unused switch mounting holes. Easy peazy.

I did exactly this some years ago when I realized my Sprague air-powered washer pump was never going to work right. I use two cheapo (less than $20 each from Pep Boys) ACI pumps, one for the original wiper arm nozzles on both sides, and the other pump for some new nozzles above the windshields. Now when I push the washer switch I get plenty of water all over both windshields, and it works reliably every time! The original push valve's knob is now grafted on to a Momentary-On push switch so everything still looks 100% original.

John

richard5933 · October 06, 2019, 06:40:20 PM

Finally getting around to installing this intermittent conversion kit.

Couple of question...

Looks like I'll still use the original control valves to control the speed of the wipers, and the intermittent control knob just controls the frequency. Is that correct? If the intermittent control knob is in the 'off' position, does that turn off the wipers totally or just turn off the intermittent function?

If I understand the instructions correctly, the new solenoids go on the 'park' air line between the OEM control valve and the wiper motor. It also looks like there is a brass T fitting that taps into the 'main' air line feeding the wiper motor and connects to the new solenoids. Correct?

Looks like the new solenoids use the air from the 'main' air line that they get through this T fitting, and send it through the 'park' circuit to send the wipers on a single stroke. Correct?

It would be great if someone can take a few photos of the solenoids and intermittent setup installed so I make sure to get it right.

Thanks!

buswarrior · October 06, 2019, 06:58:56 PM

And for washer output...

Look to retrofit the wiper arm mounted nozzles from a newer prevost or MCI.

Totally blows the old school ones out of the water, puts the fluid where it belongs.

There are 4 little stainless balls in the mount that can be aimed, sprays both sides of the wiper if mounted correctly.

The lines can be attached to existing outputs.

Find a new bus near you and look closely at hoe easily you can do this.

Anyone that has tried to get the old washers to work both at highway speed and in the city will immediately see the benefit.

No hair trigger setting and re-setting in these.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

chessie4905 · October 07, 2019, 08:35:33 AM

I just piped water from the Sureflo pump via a 1/2" hose above each windshield😃

richard5933 · October 07, 2019, 01:42:10 PM

I will be installing an electric pump for the washer. Got that covered.

Are you able to confirm my assumptions regarding the installation and function of the intermittent function?

richard5933 · October 07, 2019, 05:03:24 PM

I'm thinking of switching to nylon air line for the wiper control valves.

Question: Do I need all new fittings?

Right now the copper is connected with compression fittings. Can the nylon be used in the same compression fittings, assuming that I use new compression rings and the tube end inserts? Or, will I need to replace the fitting altogether and get something different to use with the nylon?

If I have to replace the fittings, would I be better off just going with push-to-connect fittings?

Iceni John · October 07, 2019, 09:07:48 PM

Will these intermittent controls work with Sprague HP200 motors? The fourth photo of the eBay ad shows part of the Application List, but it only mentions SC and AP II motors (I guess Super Challenger and Air Push II?). I would like an intermittent option, but I don't want to change motors now that mine are working so well after being overhauled and adding inline oilers.

John

chessie4905 · October 08, 2019, 07:14:44 PM

Some models arent listed due to voltage. Richard, I replaced ALL the copper lines to the wipers from the air filter up. I used nylon dot tubing and ferrules and reinforcement sleeves. Reused nuts and tees. It is too cramped to make copper work easily and still get your hands up in there when needed to get to other things.
Turn off the intermittent knob when not using wipers due to battery drain if coach is parked, unless there is no power supplied to control unit when coach isn't running.

richard5933 · April 18, 2020, 02:51:40 PM

This project is obviously dragging, but I did get beyond just gathering parts by taking apart the original plumbing today. Got the electric washer pump installed, and am now prepped for putting in the intermittent units and new air lines to the wipers.

Question:

The air line filter that was on the firewall under the dash needs to be replaced. I attempted to clean it per the instructions in the manual, but the thing is frozen and won't open. When I took a light to it I could see that the screens and filter 'hairs' inside are starting to break down, and it doesn't make sense to even attempt to reuse it.

Luke was able to order a replacement that should be to me this coming week. The question I have though is if there is really anything special to this filter? Seems to me that any appropriately sized inline air tool filter could be substituted, like this one from McMaster Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/4414k71

Otherwise, I hope to have the new air lines in place in a day or so and then once the filter arrives I'll be able to leak test everything.

chessie4905 · April 19, 2020, 04:37:00 AM

Mine appeared to have horsehair in it. An inline fuel filter would probably work fine.

richard5933 · April 19, 2020, 06:49:56 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on April 19, 2020, 04:37:00 AM
Mine appeared to have horsehair in it. An inline fuel filter would probably work fine.

Yup - mine looked the same. A screen on each end with some type of filter 'hair' in between. The manual calls for using a particular type of solvent to clean the filter hair, but my screens were rusted and breaking down so there was no point trying to clean it. Sure enough those rust particles wouldn't be good for the wiper motors if they got loose.

Wonder why they used something like this for the filter, when even then there were more advanced pneumatic filter cartridges around. Were they going for some super high-flow rate or was it just the cheapest thing around?

Just realized my link was bad in the earlier post - here is the filter I found at McMaster Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/4414k71

chessie4905 · April 19, 2020, 10:58:48 AM

Interesting your filter screens were rusted. Mine were brass. I'm sure those filters were satisfactory to Sprague for their wiper motors.

richard5933 · April 20, 2020, 03:42:56 PM

Done.

Surprisingly this took me much longer than anticipated, even once I got moving on things this weekend. Just surgically removing the OEM copper lines and valves took a few hours - those things were tucked in tight under the dash.

The new valves are in, the nylon lines are run using the OEM canvas protective covers, and the intermittent control is in. Surprising difference just having new control valve - didn't realize how stiff the original valves were. The intermittent control seems to work well, and it will certainly be much better than using the super-slow speed alone.

The 24v washer pump I found was not going to work, since it was designed to stick into the bottom of a modern reservoir and couldn't lift from the top of the tank. Instead I just used a Trico universal 12v pump from O'Reilly which works well.

Overall, quite happy with the project and glad to have gotten rid of all the leaks in the control valves.