[880PEL]

1. Design and build custom made heater.
2. Install it.
3. Done!

A year ago my brother did the design and build part of heating element. It has 3 x 3W heating power. Each 3W section has temperature switch to optimize power acc conditions. Below there´s led indicators to show the current status of engaged elements.

Today we finally installed it. Heater looks like that:

It´s powered by front reading lamp section. Reading lamps are 5 + 5W normally. I´ve switched them to LED-s. So total max power consumtion should be no more than 11W. Still less than 1A.

With total thickness less than 3mm the heater fits perfectly under the plastic housing.

Outside there´s no visible signs of upgrade

Inside the only clue about something new is a switch installed to the light panel assembly.

First drive was a success. Now I´m curious to perform some more real life testing.

 

[880PEL]

Day II and still amused

-12 degrees outside, windscreen slightly icy inside (residual condensation from yesterday).
After 3km drive to gas station the windscreen looked like that:

 

[Sob]

Nice job.

Would you share the design with us? I think i want do the same at my astra.

 

[JariPK]

This is very interesting. This would be a great upgrade for your car.

 

[880PEL]

Thanks guys!

I think we have the circuit boards and components for at least 2 more heaters. Are you willing to buy the assembly?
I am not the owner of design and I know that a lot of hours were spent to create it. I must check up the price and get back to You in case of interest.

 

[Sob]

OK, let me know if you wanna sell one.

 

[James37518]

Great work, I think it should be tested on the facelift Astra K as I know that their windscreen moulds for front camera are different.

 

[JariPK]

Thanks guys!

I think we have the circuit boards and components for at least 2 more heaters. Are you willing to buy the assembly?
I am not the owner of design and I know that a lot of hours were spent to create it. I must check up the price and get back to You in case of interest.

Yes, buying would be of interest. I also have the option to do the component soldering myself.
My car is Model 2016.

 

[880PEL]

So, a week has passed quick.

Acc possible options the price for assembled heater element is 80€ EXW (Estonia).
I have 2pcs ready assembled heaters and the circuit boards for 2 more.

Heater fits LHD Astra K 2015-2019. 99% possibility that it fits to RHD car as well - it just has not been tested.
Heater has been tested by me in temperature range of +2...-18 degrees. It has succeeded in all test runs.

In case of intrest and possible group purchase of 30pcs I could get the price down by a little.
I enclosed the circuit scheme in case someone is inetrested in soldering job / building their own boards.

For more information You can send me direct message / write into topic.

 

[Shaky]

Nice job Even better that it doesn't look like an afterthought either......very impressed.

 

[880PEL]

Nice job Even better that it doesn't look like an afterthought either......very impressed.

Thanks for kind words! Lots of time and effort has been put into this So far, I´d say it´s totally worth it!

 

[Mr. Blomstrand]

Oh this could be very interesting.

 

[Sob]

Thank you very much for this work.

Can you share too the pcb gerber files?
I have a voucher and want to try a new pcb pool. This would be the perfect project to try it out.

 

[JariPK]

I ordered a heater.
Easy delivery to Finland, we are EU countries.
The price is not small, but there has certainly been a huge amount of work to design.

It arrived today.
The quality looks good.

Probably an installation on the weekend.
I look forward to the fogging problem gone.

 

[Mr. Blomstrand]

I ordered a heater.
Easy delivery to Finland, we are EU countries.
The price is not small, but there has certainly been a huge amount of work to design.

It arrived today.
The quality looks good.
View attachment 8108
Probably an installation on the weekend.
I look forward to the fogging problem gone.

Will you post pictures of where you're drawing power from ? thanks

 

[JariPK]

I installed the heaters today.
Courage is needed to disassemble the camera case.

I installed the heater with 3M-8926-12-40 2 sided heat conductive tape. (If anyone needs tape in Finland, I have a roll.)

I took the electricity from the dashboard camera wires. The easiest way to make them. I also installed a power switch.
I have a plan: The windshield heating will start at the same time as Webasto. I make this connection in the summer when it is warm and dry. Now just the easiest way.

880PEL advice was "I took power from reading the lamp section. It lamp connector outer pins."

The heater melted at least the snow from the windshield.
I look forward to frosting being history.

Thanks 880PEL !

 

[880PEL]

Well, some further notes:

Heater is perfect until external temperature is on minus side.

We have had warmer weather locally for a few weeks and car internal temp in camera housing increase up to level where all circuits are switched off. 3rd circuit cut-off temp needs to be raised (let´s say up to 25 degrees) to make the heater work in warmer conditions.

 

[JariPK]

In any case, the heater works.
After installation, the camera functions are not gone off.
A couple of mornings a week, the camera has been in the fog when I start the car. It opens up enough during that time when I clean the car of snow. The camera works when I start driving.
Adjusting the temperature limits will definitely improve performance.

 

[Mr. Blomstrand]

Well, some further notes:

Heater is perfect until external temperature is on minus side.

We have had warmer weather locally for a few weeks and car internal temp in camera housing increase up to level where all circuits are switched off. 3rd circuit cut-off temp needs to be raised (let´s say up to 25 degrees) to make the heater work in warmer conditions.

Here in Denmark my camera often fogs when the outside is 2-4 degrees and wet/moist.

 

[880PEL]

Here in Denmark my camera often fogs when the outside is 2-4 degrees and wet/moist.

Yes, these are the problematic conditions.
Luckily switch temperature adjustment is done by resoldering anothet resistor to circuit.

I will take it up in some time.