Variable intermittent wipers

[Stefx]

Hi

I'm interested in buying a Smart (in Canada) but the lack of variable intermittent wipers is a show-stopper for me.

Does anyone know how they could be added aftermarket (something that wouldn't like too horrible)

Thanks

[lkchris]

Looking at the UK Smart Website, it appears the optional package called "comfort package" includes something called "comfort windscreen wipers."

Whatever this is, it is probably retrofittable.

Might be helpful to contact http://www.mbenznl.com/

[Stefx]

In my search on the internet, I did stumble up on this "comfort wiper" system and at first I though I had found what I was looking for... Actually, this "comfort wiper" system is just a speed-sensitive wiper system (car goes faster, wipers go faster).

What I am looking for is a conventional knob with which you can vary the delay between "wipes" as most cars have (except basic economy cars)

Regards

[Don350SDL]

Many years ago - mid 1970's - Popular Electronics published a simple design for a retrofit variable-delay wiper. IF your car has the kind of wipers that return t the park position after you switch them on for a split second (never seen one built after 1980 that didn't), then this kind of circuit will work.

Basically, you get a device that puts out a pulse every so often, the time between pulses controlled by a rotating variable resistor. You use that pulse to momentarily switch on the wiper, which then completes its cycle and returns to park.

A circuit like that could be made for well under $10, from Radio Shack parts. A 555 timer chip would be the heart, and I'd use a simple relay to switch the wiper. You may need to use a 556 chip (two 555s in a single chip), the first for the timing interval, the second to give a long enough pulse to get the wiper moving.

Radio Shack sells a "555 timer cookbook" for about $6 with a suitable circuit. Go look at it, if you like, buy.

IF you are not at all handy with electronics, find a local Ham Radio operator and ask them for some help. (To find a ham, either look for big antennas and knock on the door, or look online at the University of Arkansas / Little Rock web site http://callsign.ualr.edu/callsign.shtml and search by zip code. Again, just knock on their door.

Don

[mark cummins]

Hi

I'm interested in buying a Smart (in Canada) but the lack of variable intermittent wipers is a show-stopper for me.

Does anyone know how they could be added aftermarket (something that wouldn't like too horrible)

Thanks



The Intermittent Wiper Mod CAN be added....Even Rain Sensor can be added
its a Smart OE Item


IF you have Not purchased the Smart I Would Recommend that you wait for the 2008 Model Year Smart..Its Worth the Wait!

[Stefx]

Thank you for the suggestion

I won't ask "what's new" in the 2008 version as I imagine this has been asked a dozen times. Do you however have a good link that summarizes the changes for the Canadian model (I did find a link for the 2008 Smart changes, but it wasn't clear if it covered all countries

Aso, when does it come out in Canada?

It's weird that the salesman replied "no" when I asked him if variable intermittent wipers were available or not.

[Stefx]

Well Smart Canada has confirmed that "variable intermittent wipers" are not available on the Smart. What they have are "Comfort Wipers" that are speed-sensitive intermittent wipers. Here is an extract of their email.

The smart fortwo passion is equipped with comfort windshield wipers. The
interval time for the windshield wipers is governed according to the car's
speed. The interval times for various travel speeds are as follows:

11 seconds = 0 - 20 km/h
7 seconds = 20 - 75 km/h
5 seconds = 75 - 120 km/h
3 seconds = Above 120 km/h

Also they told me that cruise control isn't available, but it might be on the 2008 model coming late this summer or early this fall.

[lkchris]

What I am looking for is a conventional knob with which you can vary the delay between "wipes" as most cars have (except basic economy cars)

Actually "most" cars don't, at least Mercedes, which is the object of this forum.

Both ours have rain sensors that control the variable wipe position--faster if it "sees" more water, etc.--and it's not driver adjustable.

Previous E-class owned--W123 and W124--did not have varaible delay wipe at all.