Windscreen washer heater - Anyone tried this?

[Azzimuth]

I found this on John Craddocks website TFHWJ - TERRAFIRMA HEATED WINDSCREEN WASHER JET WORKS AUTOMATICALLY WITH YOUR WASHER SYSTEM - Defender 90/110 Parts & Discovery 1 Parts & Discovery 2 Parts & Range Rover Classic Parts

Ive read about quite a few people making up their own systems by wrapping pipe round the rad pipes, but this the first time I've seen a proper unit.

A bit out of my price range at the moment, but might have to go on the wish list

 

[discool]

It's been around for years first introduced for trucks in Sweden. If you feel u have a need for 'hot wash' system make your own with a piece of copper pipe in line with the heater hose and rapped with a layer or two of washer hose.

I believe heated jets would be more usefull

 

[lorri789]

you mean **** on the windows?

 

[Azzimuth]

It's been around for years first introduced for trucks in Sweden. If you feel u have a need for 'hot wash' system make your own with a piece of copper pipe in line with the heater hose and rapped with a layer or two of washer hose.

I believe heated jets would be more usefull

Yeah heated washer jets seem a better bet, I saw some on fleebay off a Range rover I think, but missed them and wasnt sure if theyd fit?

 

[Azzimuth]

you mean **** on the windows?

Yeah that ought to give the neighbours something to talk about :lol:

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Think MR NOISY was looking at doing a diy one of them!

Daz

 

[Goody8]

I have something like this in the garage, I removed it from a car when I worked in a breakers yard it is a piece of copper tube with a small bore copper tube wound around it housed in rubber, should fit if I can find it....

 

[Azzimuth]

A bit of micro bore tube might work then? Ive got an old intercooler top hose to wrap round it.
The feed to the heaters probably the easiest to wrap it round i guess.

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Think you could use some copper pipe spliced into the heater pipe with a length of brake line coiled round it for the heat transfer part

Daz

 

[landowner]

Think you could use some copper pipe spliced into the heater pipe with a length of brake line coiled round it for the heat transfer part

Daz

Or round the turbo or exhaust, the heated water would naturally rise to the washer jets and be ready for instant use, maybe need a return as well

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Think that might heat the water up too much mate!
You'd be boiling the water and melting the washer pipes

Daz

 

[landowner]

Think that might heat the water up too much mate!
You'd be boiling the water and melting the washer pipes

Daz

You're probably right but I think I'' try it and see what happens

 

[discool]

This is my 'hot wash' that I don't use now but it was given away in a car magazine many years ago.
If I was to make a DIY item then I would use something like the black tube that used in garden watering systems available on e-bay it's a little bit stiffer so doesn't collapse like normal washer tubing. how it workes when hot ...I don't know.

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

COOL - don't forget the pics mate!!!
Anyone know the internal diameter of the heater coolant pipes?
Might have a go at the copper plumbing pipe and brake pipe coil idea

Daz

 

[landowner]

Spose neoprene pipes and hot water are not a good idea

 

[vilguy]

exactly the same thing for 100 quid less

HeatShot | eBay

 

[dogsbody]

These were in accessory shops thirty odd years ago.
A copper pipe through a plastic bottle. You cut your heater pipe and inserted the copper pipe then cut the washer pipe and connected to nipples on each end of the plastic bottle.

They were crap. If you didn't have enough anti-freeze additive in the washer then it either froze in the jet or the moment it hit the windscreen. Well it certainly did in my MkII Granada just outside Aberdeen!! Couldn't see a bloody thing, swung into a layby, touched the brakes and slid straight into a tree smashing the nearside headlight.

Ah, the good old days.

 

[dogsbody]

You're probably right but I think I'' try it and see what happens

Boiling water hitting a frozen windscreen?
Could be interesting.

 

[discool]

There must be a fine line on the temp too hot could crack the screen so just warm is all thats required, when I used mine steam came off the screen.
The warm water only lasted for two or three squirts on the screen but that gets rid of any smears which cold water wouldn't and five min it's warm again.. and the jets work. Brilliant

 

[Azzimuth]

Good idea to splice the copper pipe in Daz, if I can find my torch i might solder the coiled pipe to it. I reckon 15mm pipe for the heater pipe?

I reckon using the exhaust idea would be ok as a looped circuit into the washer bottle somehow....? Id be a bit concerned it might steam cleam my window lol.

The heated jets might be easier though. Anyone know what RR's they were fitted too?