Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Simon,

I know this isn't the reply you are looking for, but in case you haven't done
this yet, the best way to improve your wiper performance is to install an
alternator. I noticed a dramatic improvement when I completed this conversion
last summer. Besides working faster, the wipers continue to work at idle! They
even work without the aid of lubrication (rain). How many Elan owners can
make that claim? Big improvement.

Frank Howard
'71 Elan S4 SE

I've just had a look at my 68 Plus 2 and my 70 Plus 2S. The wipers on the 68 park on the left. The driver side wiper arm is cranked about 5 deg to the left so it lies flat at the bottom of the windscreen. On the 70 the wipers park on the right. Both the arms are cranked. Might be something to do with cheap job lots for the Lotus parts bin.

Imho, it makes sense to park on the left for visibility reasons, and it seems there is a choice.

Sean Murray

----- Original Message -----
From: ***@***.***
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 12:53 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Wiper Parking




On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 20:20:21 +0000 Steve Waterworth
<***@***.***> writes:
On my S4 dhc which is RHD as I live in the UK the windscreen wipers park
on the left. Is this normal? Surely they should park on the right?

I wouldn't run a dynamo and control box if you paid me!

_____

From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Sent: Wed, Mar 24, 2004 12:42
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Wiper Parking


Simon,

I know this isn't the reply you are looking for, but in case you haven't
done
this yet, the best way to improve your wiper performance is to install an
alternator. I noticed a dramatic improvement when I completed this
conversion
last summer. Besides working faster, the wipers continue to work at idle!
They
even work without the aid of lubrication (rain). How many Elan owners can
make that claim? Big improvement.

Frank Howard
'71 Elan S4 SE



<>










_____

You would also have to replace the wiper arms, as there is a slight
bend at the end so the blades will be parallel to the edge of the
windscreen when parked. If you simply parked them on the other side
the ends would be sticking up.

Mike G.
66 S3 Coupe'

--- In ***@***.***, Simon Knee <simon@a...> wrote:

Try wiping the rubber blades with Armour All. It acts as a lubricant.

Mike G.

--- In ***@***.***, Simon Knee <simon@a...> wrote:
...

--- In ***@***.***, "Michael Geiger"
<type36lotus@v...> wrote:

And it will smear the glass when they're used in the rain. The
best -- both for smoothness and for effectiveness -- is to use
Rain-X on the windshield and then wipe the rubber blade with
the Rain-X'd towel. The windshield will shed water without
even using the wipers, and when you _do_ use 'em (like when you
get a misting spray from other vehicles) one swipe gives you a
perfectly clear windscreen.

I know this from using Rain-X on my other cars. 8^) The Lotus
both get the treatment, but aren't (voluntarily) driven in the
wet.

Best regards,
Bob
________________________
***@***.***

You want the wipers to park on the passenger side of the windshield. This allows them to clear an area closer to the windshield frame
on the driver's side. If they park on the driver's side there will be a large area in the upper corner of the drivers side not cleared.

Steve B.
69 S4 DHC


--- In ***@***.***, Steve Waterworth <stevew@s...> wrote:

Speaking of wiper arms and blades - does anyone know what blades will fit or do I have to get official Lotus parts?

Steve B


--- In ***@***.***, "Michael Geiger" <type36lotus@v...> wrote:

Simon

If you reverse the polarity going to the motor it will certainly rotate in
the opposite direction, however since the rotary movement is converted to a
linear action via the eccentric and connecting rod, the end result will be
backwards and forwards instead of the original forwards and backwards.

Parking will still be in more or less the same place, but, the parking
switch and the motor thrust bearing is designed for one operating in the
original direction only.

Ian



-----Original Message-----
From: Simon Knee [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 11:37 AM
To: '***@***.***'
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Wiper Parking


Surely it'd go the other way Ian?
However I think your right and you'd need to dick with innards to do it
properly.

_____

From: Ian Phillips [mailto:***@***.***


Reversing the motor polarity wont do anything useful.

Ian Phillips

Long story, but I have my wiper motor out of my car and am reading the
service manual.

Section L, paragraph 28 (c)
Limit Switch Adjustment
The correct working of the limit switch is obtained when the setting pip
on top of the domed cover is in line with (in a position either nearest
to or furthest from) the central groove in the gearbox cover. Parking
of the blades in the opposite extreme position can be effected by
slackening the four gearbox coverscrews and rotating the limit switch
cover through 180 degrees before retightening the screws.

You can see the pip near the gearbox centerline in this picture. I
don't know if this position parks the wipes to the left or to the right.

http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/ela ... c/DSCN1147

BTW, anyone know how to get a wiper motor to work on the bench? My
freshly rebuilt wiper motor stopped working. Arrgh!

--
Jim
www.unibrain.org

? ?? on yours mike, but I have original arms that were on car when it
came to USA new - original owner. mine do not have bends. - all I did
was loosen screws, rotate can on gearbox 180degrees. George.

On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 13:48:21 -0000 "Michael Geiger"
<***@***.***> writes:
You would also have to replace the wiper arms, as there is a slight
bend at the end so the blades will be parallel to the edge of the
windscreen when parked. If you simply parked them on the other side
the ends would be sticking up.

Mike G.
66 S3 Coupe'

--- In ***@***.***, Simon Knee <simon@a...> wrote:

Right on, that's why I changed mine 30 years ago. George

On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 15:16:03 -0000 "Steve B" <***@***.***>
writes:
You want the wipers to park on the passenger side of the windshield.
This allows them to clear an area closer to the windshield frame
on the driver's side. If they park on the driver's side there will be a
large area in the upper corner of the drivers side not cleared.

Steve B.
69 S4 DHC


--- In ***@***.***, Steve Waterworth <stevew@s...> wrote:

No - any blades fit - as I remember( havn't bought in years) 15 inch. I
personally like Trico. Usual disclaimers. George

On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 15:22:24 -0000 "Steve B" <***@***.***>
writes:
Speaking of wiper arms and blades - does anyone know what blades will fit
or do I have to get official Lotus parts?

Steve B


--- In ***@***.***, "Michael Geiger" <type36lotus@v...>
wrote:
















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***@***.***

.

Right - just what I have been saying - loosen screws, turn cover 180
degrees. George

Re your question, Jim - Watch out - my unit is NOT like in the manual -
it is an el cheapo - the switch has a rheostat that reduces field coil
voltage due to increased resistance. IF yours is like mine --- it only
has 2 wires from the wiper motor to the switch - armature ground and
field ground. Put power on the green wire into the motor, ground the 2
wires that go to the switch - will run at lowest speed and maximum
torque. reduce field (Yellow/Green) voltage, motor speeds up and
available torque drops. Ground the motor case too, so you can check the
limit switch. Need any more help - just ask. George

On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 16:58:25 -0800 Jim Boone <***@***.***> writes:
Long story, but I have my wiper motor out of my car and am reading the
service manual.

Section L, paragraph 28 (c)
Limit Switch Adjustment
The correct working of the limit switch is obtained when the setting pip
on top of the domed cover is in line with (in a position either nearest
to or furthest from) the central groove in the gearbox cover. Parking
of the blades in the opposite extreme position can be effected by
slackening the four gearbox coverscrews and rotating the limit switch
cover through 180 degrees before retightening the screws.

You can see the pip near the gearbox centerline in this picture. I
don't know if this position parks the wipes to the left or to the right.

http://www.unibrain.org/motorsports/ela ... c/DSCN1147

BTW, anyone know how to get a wiper motor to work on the bench? My
freshly rebuilt wiper motor stopped working. Arrgh!

--
Jim
www.unibrain.org







Copyright) LotusElan.net and the author.








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***@***.***

.

I must respectfully disagree... Unless I'm missing something here, I don't see how
altering the park position will alter the swept area. Parked left or right, when in
operation the cleared glass will remain the same...

Regards,
-John
Seattle, WA USA
'69 Lotus Elan S4 DHC 45/8290
'74 1/2 Jensen Healey #18918