Pantographic wiper install

[ak-angler]

Oops... I guess I never posted the final update for this project. Anyway, no time like the present.

The critical adapter piece came from a set of NAPA Winter Defense wipers, part # 60-1857. That particular set had the bayonette adapter shown in the picture below. But - be aware that other Winter Defense part numbers didn't include that adapter, so be sure to check the package.

Once I had the correct adapter, I simply installed a set of regular 10" Trico brand automotive wiper blades. And, so far, everything is working great!

[Hydro-Therapy]

AK this has been a very informative and interesting read. You have listed most of the how to and parts for the job. Even great detail with pictures. The one thing you have not listed was anything about the length of the pantographic  arms you used and where you got them or a brand and model number.If you could furnish this it would much appreciated . Thank You.

  H-T

[ak-angler]

You just missed it H-T. In the first paragraph of the first post... 

pantographic arms (AFI #33032A)

They are adjustable from 12" to 17".

Edit: I don't remember exactly where I bought them... probably Amazon.

And, I suppose to make the write-up complete, I need to get the measurements I used for the holes, add any other details I can remember, and maybe snap a couple of 'after' photos. It might take me a while to get it all together. So, if anybody needs any more details, let me know, and I'll see if I can get specific answers for you.

[Hydro-Therapy]

  AK Thank you My bad. With the arms being adjustable the exact location of the motor would not be that critical . Other than it being installed with enough angle to let the arms function properly.

   Thanks Again

  H-T

[Markshoreline]

Yes AK- great job on the procedures.  Thanks a lot for adding so much to our community

[ak-angler]

Awwww... shucks, Mark. Everybody here is so great at sharing ideas and information, I just try to give back some small fraction of what I gather from this site. :arms:


And, hey... no problem there, H-T. There's a lot of little details woven into this thread, and even I had to go back and re-read it to see if I had actually posted that info about the arms.

But, you're right. The adjustable arm means the position of the motor shaft isn't extremely critical. Just be aware that there isn't much 'extra' room to work with, especially if you're going to use the 110-degree sweep setting.

Still... if it wasn't below zero and dark when I get home from work these days, I'd go out and take a few measurements and snap a few pictures anyway. I'd say that I would take care of tying up those loose ends this weekend, but it looks like the weather is going to be good enough for my brother and I to get out deer hunting. We should be leaving on Thursday!

[ak-angler]

Here's some proof that the wiper upgrade actually works...

And, yeah... I think it was worth it!

http://www.youtube.com/v/I6-vP-m-i0c&feature=youtu.be

[Salmon King]

That's some pretty rough seas AK...
Di you go out in them on purpose or did they just come up while you were out?

Wipers look great!
That will be an upgrade on mine too one day.

[ak-angler]

On purpose? Not this time... Ha!

This little blow was the reason I cut my last deer hunt short. The marine forecast on the radio updates at 4am and 4pm. The day before, the morning forecast was OK, so I stayed out and kept hunting. The evening forecast called for some real nastyness to blow in overnight, but it was too late (read: too dark) to do anything about it, so I had to wait 'till morning to make the 20 mile run back in to Whittier. And... this is what I woke up to. Yeah, it was rough. But it certainly wasn't the worst I've been in, so I just kept slogging along. Besides, I knew the worst of it was only going to be for 3 miles crossing Wells Passage (where the video was taken). If it ended up being too bad to cross, I figured I was going to be holed up for several days waiting it out. And, while it wouldn't be the end of the world if I was stuck out there for a while, it would definitely be better if I could make it back before things got really bad... which is what the morning forecast was predicting. As it turns out, it wasn't so bad that I couldn't also run the video camera while I was driving... :whistle:

And, on an unrelated note... it seems like it takes forever to go 'just a few miles' when you're making way at only 8 miles per hour, as opposed to 24-25 mph. The porpoises were a nice break...

[Salmon King]

That's some pretty rough seas AK...
Did you go out in them on purpose or did they just come up while you were out?

Wipers look great!
That will be an upgrade on mine too one day.

[Threeweight]

Nice!  Have had some similarly bad days coming back down the Columbia River estuary on an ebb tide running against the wind. 

Bet that Suzi is a little quieter than your old Johnson at 8 mph. 

[Markshoreline]

Wow, those wipers really kept the rain off!   During the length of your video mt wiper would have made about three swipes...
Do you have variable speeds?

[ak-angler]

Mark - I've got the wipers set up on a pair of high/low/park switches. After using them a few times, I do kinda wish I had a variable speed system. For the most part, the 2-speed switch works pretty darn good (they're set on 'high' in the vid), but sometimes even the 'low' setting is  a bit too fast (still better than the 'turtle' speed of the factory wiper!). So either a 'mist' setting (push to swipe, release to stop) or an intermittent/delay switch - or both -  would be great. I will say that having each side on it's own switch is perfect for when the wind is blowing spray onto only one window. I'd definitely recommend a wiper system upgrade to anybody considering it.

3WT - The Suzuki is quieter than the old Johnson at any speed. Plus, I get better fuel economy with the Suzuki slogging through the slop than I did even in perfect conditions with Keith. Definitely don't regret that upgrade!

[AlAdams]

Funny Mark.  I was just thinking the same thing.  Only, I am thankful if mine decides to give me those three, pathetic swipes. 

[Salmon King]

The wiper motor on the FahrFrumWerken is mounted on the top of the window frame...
Will a pantographic wiper system still mount there?
...Anyone??

[ak-angler]

No idea SK. I can't imagine how any wiper motor would mount on the top of the window frame... Can you post a picture of your setup?

[Markshoreline]

AK
When you sweep through Seattle to pick up your new boat you wanna slap in a couple of pantographs on LiLi?  You can do one on the way and one on the way back! :biggrin:

[ak-angler]

Ooooohhhh.... Sorry, Mark. But, I'm not actually heading down to pick up my boat - a friend will be towing it up for me. So, sadly, I won't have the opportunity to help you upgrade your wipers.    

But, I'm sure you can git-er-dun without me!

[Salmon King]

No idea SK. I can't imagine how any wiper motor would mount on the top of the window frame... Can you post a picture of your setup?

Yup...I have a hole for the wiper motor shaft drilled right through the top of the windshield frame.
Looks to be a factory install and I kinda like it there rather than hanging down in the cabin.
I've never seen another Arima with it located there either.

Maybe Belinda knows if this was how they installed the wipers in the early days of Arima?

I'll see if I can get a picture posted this weekend sometime.

[Markshoreline]

AK
When are you going to get the new boat?
Is he going to pull it up the AK highway?

[ak-angler]

Yep - he's going to tow the boat up through Canada. He may come up through either Alberta, or BC (the plans have changed a couple of times, and may change again before he hooks up to the boat...). The target date for arrival here is April 23 - just 10 short weeks from today!

:dance:

[Markshoreline]

soooo, are you a little excited?   :arms:

[ak-angler]

Nope. I'm a LOT excited! And so is the missus. ... ... ... and so are my brothers... and my uncles... and my friends... and my neighbor... and a couple of my co-workers...  I think I'm going to need to hire a booking agent. :nono:

[Threeweight]

Have probably already thought of this, but you may want to have him cover the front windows with some thick cardboard or even thin luan plywood to protect them from flying rocks on the road. 

[ak-angler]

Thanks for the idea 3WT. But, all the glass is already under shrink wrap.