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Author Topic: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.  (Read 16998 times)

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TopNotch

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I have developed a fix for the "phantom wiper" problem. You know -- you're driving down the road, and your wipers make one swipe of the windshield. Or you turn on your turn signal, and get a wiper swipe.
My fix requires no soldering or disassembly of anything. You just connect one wire from my little box to one of the wires on the connector to your delay wiper assembly with a clamp-on splicer, and connect the other to an existing screw. In 5 minutes or less, your problem is solved.
I have not decided on a price for this, but I'm thinking $15.00 post paid in the US, and maybe $20.00 elsewhere.
I will not sell any of these until I actually have some made (no "pre-orders" taken, like some have done -- I got suckered by one of those myself.)
I only have the prototype now (on my 86 SE, and working fine), but I will make more if you indicate an interest.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

Fierofool

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2010, 08:57:54 pm »
Patent it before you let it out.  Somebody will copy it and undercut your price.  I'll take one for my 85.
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

Rat Pee 86

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2010, 09:02:54 pm »
Pat,

I would also be interested in getting one of your wiper fix boxes.  The phantom wiper thing is getting worse in my car by the day.

Tom Ott

TopNotch

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2010, 11:46:39 am »
I went to Frys during my lunch break yesterday and found enough parts to make a few of these. I have ordered more parts online, because quite a few people have expressed an interest.
The final (non-prototype) version looks like this:


Installed in a car, it looks like this:

You can see that one wire is clamped to one of the wiper control wires, and the other is grounded using one of the HVAC fan mounting screws.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

TopNotch

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2010, 11:57:13 am »
Patent it before you let it out.  Somebody will copy it and undercut your price.  I'll take one for my 85.

Since I work in a high tech company, I know what a hassle it is to get a patent these days. I think I'll just take my chances. Besides, I think my only market is 80's GM cars. I haven't had any trouble with phantom wipers on other cars.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

TopNotch

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2010, 05:28:50 pm »
If you bought one of these at the meeting today, and like it, maybe you could give me a good word in this thread.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2017, 11:17:16 pm »
The link above didn't work.  I don't have this issue, but bought something similar, I think from Chief.  What happened to this?

TopNotch

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2017, 07:44:21 am »
I got tired of making them and published the schematic on Pennock's, so you could make them yourself.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2017, 07:47:51 am »
Thanks.  I guess I do remember seeing that.  I guess Chief made his from that.  I never installed his.

What is/was the significance of 5 minutes?

TopNotch

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2017, 09:54:02 am »
What is/was the significance of 5 minutes?
If you're referring to the first post, that's about how long it takes to install the device.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

f85gtron

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2017, 12:32:12 pm »
I think Pennocks got reorganized at some point and 404 congress up for your link (for me, anyways).  Could you post the schematic here? 
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TopNotch

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2017, 01:17:11 pm »
This is all there is to it...

For best results, use a mil spec capacitor.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

f85gtron

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2017, 04:45:40 pm »
Wow!  That's it?! Cool!
85 GT manual NOW powered by 7730
3.4 bored to 3.5, cammed out and DIS'd
F23 connecting power to ground
My wife won't ride in it. It's "the other woman" ;)

GTRS Fiero

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Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2017, 05:47:58 pm »
How did the box mount?