Heated screen...

Post Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:13 pm

One of the next (maybe) things on my list is fitting the heated windscreen I have in my lock-up!!!

So my question is, basically, how would I wire it up???

I'm assuming I can copy how the rear screen works - i.e. use an identical/duplicate switch - should it just be fused and connected to the switch, or are there some relays, etc that I should also be duplicating???

Any advice/diagrams welcome!!!

Post Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:55 pm

Need to know some details about it. How many circuits (= connections) does it have?
What sort of power does it take (amps or watts)?

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:51 am

I'll have a look in the next day or two when I'm next at the lock-up!!!

As for amps/watts - never noticed any labeling, etc, on it??? Any way I could tell/test???

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:00 am

If it's a simple circuit, you could power it up from a 12 volt battery and measure the current with a meter. Even a simple cold resistance measurement would give some idea.
What screen is this? I thought that Ford had the patents on these pretty well sewn up legally, and were keeping the technology to themselves.

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:12 am

There was a company selling them for the M3, I think for rally/race cars. Not sure if they were legal for road use, but I was looking at getting one for my Sport a few years ago, but I wasn't sure if I could use an M3 screen that needs bonding in on a non M3 and didn't have space to store a screen.

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:08 am

Bought it off someone on here a number of years ago - no idea who it was unfortuantely!!!

Think a batch were made and sold and thats it as far as I know - I took the last of them and it's sat in my lock-up since!!!

Was just sold as an E30 windscreen, so hoping it's a straight fit, as standard, or it prob won't be going in!!!
Bought new rubbers, trim strip, etc, so just need to get it fitted up!!!

I'll try and test the resistance when I get over there!!!

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:59 pm

I had one on my m3, but never wired it up before it got cracked

From memory there were two wires each side, so two separate circuits, and the current draw was quite high so would definitely need to be fused and relayed, probably separately for each side.

M3 screen will fit all e30s, it'll just have a black border around the edge. Not sure how the wires would sit if the screen was fitted with a standard e30 rubber seal.

Tbh, it would have been nice to have working, but I found the wires a little too obvious and distracting, and once you've seen them they're impossible to ignor. I wouldn't bother buying another one.

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:07 pm

Brianmoooore wrote: What screen is this? I thought that Ford had the patents on these pretty well sewn up legally, and were keeping the technology to themselves.

You can even buy heated windscreens for Morris Minors!

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 64598f687c

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:34 pm

On the screens ive fitted to track/race cars ive used a BMW relay and a fused feed (30A fuse) for each side of the screen, as per the standard diagrams they send with the screens. One twin output relay would probably be fine TBH

Post Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:52 pm

DanThe wrote: One twin output relay would probably be fine TBH

Depends on the total load. A standard car type relay is rated at 30A total load, not 30A per circuit, unless it has two pin 30s as well as two 87s.
You would need to wire the 30's directly from the battery or main feed at the fusebox, via fuses, but take the control circuit from the purple ignition switched circuit.

Post Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:19 pm

I am having a batch of 5 screens made, and will be done in a few months time.

We could only find heated screens available for the E30 M3 and wanted one for a normal E30.

They are brilliant things arent they !!

Post Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:19 pm

Speedtouch wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote: What screen is this? I thought that Ford had the patents on these pretty well sewn up legally, and were keeping the technology to themselves.
You can even buy heated windscreens for Morris Minors!

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 64598f687c

How weird, this is where I work! Never thought I'd see it linked to on E30Zone

Post Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:11 pm

Good to hear that there are other BMC 'deviants' on here!

Post Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:17 am

Speedtouch wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote: What screen is this? I thought that Ford had the patents on these pretty well sewn up legally, and were keeping the technology to themselves.
You can even buy heated windscreens for Morris Minors!

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 64598f687c

They are a factory fitted option on modern Minis. My 05 Copper has one and its very effective.

Post Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:20 am

Loads available off the shelf - http://www.heatedwindscreen.com/

Post Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:30 am

That's not a bad price!

Post Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:04 am

Brianmoooore wrote: I thought that Ford had the patents on these pretty well sewn up legally, and were keeping the technology to themselves.

I think the exclusivity thing expired a few years ago IIRC. Of course, they were in Volvo's, Jags, Astons and Land Rovers as they were all subsiduarys of Ford in the 00's, but I'm fairly sure they only had a 20 year deal or something.

I may be chatting bullshit though. It was a while ago.

Post Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:11 am

DanThe wrote:Loads available off the shelf - http://www.heatedwindscreen.com/

That is who we have comissioned to make the non m3 ones