Power windows

[Brett Proctor]

Thought I'd move this to here so it would be easier to find.
Started with GM qtr. rear window motors. The kind thats in their vans and suv's.

Marked out the area and drilled a hole for the shaft to come out of.

Cut an access opening for the motor ( slightly off. Will have to adjust)

Need to make the mounting brackets now.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Got a little more done today

brackets are made but not bonded in place. Cleco's hold them in place for now.

Got everything ready to be tested and when I powered up the motor I noticed the output shaft had a bunch of runout. I have no idea how one can bend that shaft unless it was made that way, so I checked the other unit that I had and it had no runout. So off to the pick a part yard to find another. I brought a 9v battery to make sure the shaft ran true. Well because of all that runout in the old shaft the new unit's shaft isn't centered in the opening. Just another thing to fix. When installing that, it never crossed my mind that the shaft might be bent and that it should be checked.

I still need to find some switches.
When I was at the yard for the new unit I looked for some but it started to rain so I cut my visit short.

 

[farfegnubbin]

Very clever! I’ve never seen any other Nova/Sterling/Eureka with powered windows. That’s an interesting solution.

Per your mock-up, am I seeing that you’re planning to split the window into a quarter window and a separate rear piece?

 

[Brett Proctor]

Yes the window will be in 2 parts.
My thinking for that is, with the hinges mounted on the "A" pillar and the angle of the windshield the side window deflects a lot of air, keeping it from entering the car.

Mounting the hinges on top of the window will deflect less air, and making it a 2 part window will lessen the load on the window and hinges.
As mention also I've figured a way to remove the windows very easily with no tools required. I'll post that when I get to it.

Still need to find some switches

Tried numerous times to load a video of their operation but they wouldn't load.
File size is less than 3mb each. One for opening and the other for closing. Only a few seconds long

 

[farfegnubbin]

That’s weird that it won’t let you load videos. I’ll double check things tonight if I remember.

One thought on the new window scheme: I grew up around airplanes, and a lot of two-seat tail-draggers have windows hinged at the top like that. Because the opener mechanism is near the rear corner there is a chance that the window might flutter a bit. I don’t think you’ll have trouble if it’s actual glass (due to additional stiffness.) Thin-ish Lexan might flutter. I hope I’m wrong. I like what you’re trying.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Tried again to load a video.
I hit the video icon, then select the file and the loading icon appears. Then it says loading but nothing happens.

Your 100% right on how flexible Lexan is. I got a 3/16 sheet of it so I can make up a mockup.
Tried different locations for the opening linkage and all spots had noticeable flex.
I have 2 choices I think. one is to make a steel frame for the Lexan window or make the window out of glass.

Went to the yard today. Found some window switches that I thought would work but after looking at the wiring diagram for them I'm not to sure.
Something as simple as a window switch and someone has to reinvent it.
Also got a new mirror switch to fit in the smaller space but that is wired different compared to the oem switch made for the mirrors that I'm using.

And the fun just keeps coming.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Boy! did I open a can of worms here.
Those switches that I got require a module to operate. Leave it to an engineer to complicate things.
Something I don't like to do but I ordered a universal switch and it will work.
Also I had to get a more compact mirror switch so the window switches will fit in the spot that I picked out.

So I had to seal the old mirror switch opening and cut new openings for the new switches.
Got baby sitting duties today and tomorrow so nothing will get done. Also my back went out on me and that slowed progress.

Need to install switches and run the wires and that part of the install will be done.
Still need to work on the hinge system.

I'll post some pictures when I get some spare time

 

[Brett Proctor]

Old mirror switch on the left, New mirror switch on the right

Universal window switches

Old mirror switch opening sealed up

Area marked out for new switches

Access hatch for window motor

 

[Brett Proctor]

Will have to go with glass windows. As Warren mentioned the Lexan has to much flex in it
This was just a test to see how well the system works. As you can see I haven't removed the protective film from the Lexan yet.

Had no issues loading this video.