Anyone here has one installed and do they like it?

http://www.heatedwiperfluid.com/default.html

 

actually my regular wiper fluid does just fine...

 

you might run the risk of cracking the windshield by spraying hot watter on the frozen windshield

 

And they also make windshield washer fluid designed to be used in the cold weather so it won't freeze.

 

Some GM cars have them for a while, no one has cracked their windshield yet.

 

But, only down to a certain temperature. I have them freeze on my windshield when the temperature gets to -20F or lower.

 

Most high end cars have heated nozzles, so that the fluid doesn't clog up. Usually winter mix washer fluid doesn't freeze below -30 F.

Oh, and GM has issues with those heaters overloading and causing engine fires. There was a recall on it.

 

Here in Canada most washer fluid is good to -45C

It would be smart if the container was close to the engine or it had some "heater" that used engine coolant to warm it.

 

-45C is around -49F... which is COOOOLD

To be honest, I can't imagine the engine would be able to heat up much... it's not doing a great job heating up the cabin in Single Digit temps without driving 15 miles.

... however, it would be nice. Clearing the windshield in the winter is a PITA and fluid that is heated (even to 50 or 60 degrees F ) would be helpful.

~SB

 

The de-icer fluid doesn't freeze in the tank in extreme cold. But once it's sprayed on the windshield it starts to freeze until the windshield has been warmed.

Maybe a chemist can explain the reason.

The point is not eliminate using de-ice washer fluid. The washer heater is useless if the washer fluid is frozen.

 

Son of a chemist... besides, this is physics, not chemistry. When the washer fluid is sprayed, it surrenders quite a bit of heat to the surrounding air. Assuming that alcohol is a significant part of the mix, the alcohol is more volatile, and evaporates faster than the water component, which raises the freezing point. Not much you can do until the engine warms up, and you turn both the temp and airflow dials all the way to the right.

 

I have it on my 09 FIT Sport AT/NAV for 2-3 months already. I bought it on eBay in the Summer for $47. It works as it should and I like it so far.

The engine has to run before using it. Otherwise, it will draw all of power from your battery. Then you might have a clean windshield without snow but you could not start your car. Ha ha ha.

 

No, I'm sorry I haven't used one. I'm from Texas. It was sunny with a high of 75F today.

 

I think your version has a switch. This one is automatic and doesn't run unless the voltage is above 13V when the alternator kicks in.

Thanks for the input.

 

Yes, mine has a switch.

Just for curiosity. How your version works? Since it connects directly to the battery as power source, the voltage is always above 13V unless your battery is dead. Does it have intelligent circuit to tell when the alternator kicks in?

 

Car batteries are 12V so the number of volts should only rise above 13 when the engine is actually on and the alternator is charging the battery/Providing additional power. The battery should never be above 13 volts when the car is off. If it is, the washer fluid heater would remain on until enough power was drained from the battery to get it down to 12V (the normal voltage for the battery).

~SB

 

I just measured voltage on a battery in my 09 FIT Sport and I got 13.05V on my multimeter while the engine is off. Base on Honda Shop Manual, the alternator provides 13.5V at 95A at normal engine temperature.

 

I measured mine and it's just little less than 12V. My Scangauge always reads 14+V when the engine is running.

It basically the same HOTshot model with improvements. I think they reformed and changed their name after the GM recalls that bankrupted them.

Automatic hot wash windshield cleaning system – Alpha Therm :: Sigma Automotive

AlphTherm Heated Wash Units