Guest Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Hi everyone, I've found the current wipers supplied by Caterham to be very poor quality and dangerous in heavy rain. Can't imagine using them on the track in rain. Tried fitting new ones but they don't improve things. It's a shame as the ones originally fitted to the car when new in 2002 were perfect, Trico I think but sadly no longer available. I appreciate a lot of owners don't use their 7 in the rain. Can anybody help with a source of alternative wipers please? Thanks, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimh Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Following something I read on here I tried Rain-X and have been amazed at the results. I did a wet track day at Castel Combe and hardly needed the wipers. I have also found it excellent on the road and now seldom use the wipers at all. It does seem to work best if you keep the speed up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 RainX ..... other formulas are available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thanks for the advice, I've used Rain X and whilst it's very good, my point is that these are high performance cars which should be fitted with wipers that are adequate. They used to be fitted with really good ones and now they have very cheap very poor quality ones fitted. I guess nobody has found a suitable alternative wiper blade. I've contacted Caterham again on safety grounds and I'll let you know if I get anywhere. TADTS. Thanks anyway, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Hello CS Desk Hello sir ....... you mean you drive it in the rain ........ #sharp intake of breath# ...... sounds of warranty being found in filing system ........ and being torn in half Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin J Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 You boys with K series have at least got an intermittent wipe function I believe. They removed it on the sigma's. Another for rain x but I used Terry's alternative which did work but made the wipers judder across the screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 It was removed when k series was still being used. I understand it wasn't reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Intermittent doesn't exist on my 2002 car. I now have a new flick switch on the dash ..... but not sorted the connection yet. Tried my theory by connecting it to the switched supply cable from wiper switch to motor but popped the fuse. I recall a thread somewhere that advised connections on motor. Anyone got an easy guide to where to connect the momentary 12V supply for a single wipe ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surreptitious Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I have seen a few Caterhams fitted with the 8" wiper blades used on Westfields (normal tin top type of wiper) - Not sure if any mods to the wiper arm were made. Also believe that there were instructions on adapting a common or garden wiper blade in the L7C Hints and Tips many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimh Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 You boys with K series have at least got an intermittent wipe function I believe. They removed it on the sigma's I thought everything was intermittent on a K series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyH Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Our 2005 K has intermittent wipe... Flick switch on, wipe once, flick switch off. Wait a bit. Flick switch on, wipe once, flick switch off... 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Intermittent Ha Luxury, mine don't even self park, need to remember to switch off just in the correct orientation 😬 but actual they do clear the rain pretty well even without Rain X, although a set on the inside could also be useful sometimes, I suppose they could be the original set fitted though Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I use these but u will have to bent the arm a little bit. They are not bad but never as good as on your tin top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Ian, if you plug 12V into the Orange/blue wire ( slow wipe ) or orange black wire( fast wipe ) you should have 1 single wipe with a spring loaded switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Thanks Elie ... I will give it a try ...... I have some spare fuses ready ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative IanW Posted October 21, 2013 Area Representative Share Posted October 21, 2013 Here's a rough sketch of my single wipe button. The top 4 connections on the left are the existing switch and the bottom two are for the momentary push button switch to activate the single wipe function. The relay is a standard automotive changeover type. If you want any more details, just ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Thanks for taking the time to draw that. Do you know the wire colours for the wires onto the existing switch. Really looking forward to being able to use this spring-loaded flasher switch for a single wipe ....... I hate the feeling when switching the rocker switch on then off for a single wipe. I get the feeling it will seize one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmalcol1 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Sounds like a great idea. So more details would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative IanW Posted October 22, 2013 Area Representative Share Posted October 22, 2013 I've updated the picture and added some description here. I hope it makes sense 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Pearce Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Much clearer, thanks Ian. I imagine that, with the intermittent module fitted, this would serve to turn the intermittent mode on and off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Many thanks Ian ... that is very helpful. Will delve under the dash soon and see how I get on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 And here appears to be the perfect relay with base and wiring !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative IanW Posted October 22, 2013 Area Representative Share Posted October 22, 2013 Quoting Ray Pearce: Much clearer, thanks Ian. I imagine that, with the intermittent module fitted, this would serve to turn the intermittent mode on and off? Hi Ray, I don't know how the intermittent module is fitted or operates, so I can't comment. Do you have a circuit diagram showing how it's installed in the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Previous thread here which gives a part number for a wiper control, and me asking a similar question a few year back here which has some very useful information re intermittent wipe installation. I still haven't got around to doing this yet so still use the method recommended by AntonyH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted October 22, 2013 Member Share Posted October 22, 2013 When fitting wiper blades I recommend checking that they are short enough to miss the top edge of the windscreen frame. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now