24 replies to this topic

[PACINO]

I have the same problem. When the day is very cold, the heating is insufficient to demist the glass. I repaired and sealed the heater box a couple of years ago, and I noticed some improvement, but it's not enough.

Have I ever thought about whether it is possible to trick electrically by putting an electric multiplier or a booster right at the entrance of the wires that feed the engine so that the turbine rotates faster, and more air comes out towards the glass.

[Spherix]

I'm prototyping an improved heater to fit in the existing space over here: https://www.theminif...d-heaterblower/

 

Feel free to chip in as I'm looking for feedback/use cases :) Progress won't be that quick atm, as I'll need to do some junkyard trips to find suitable heater control panels, cage fans etc.

[PACINO]

I had not seen your post. Fantastic job and to award a trophy if you manage to complete your improved heater matrix.

My idea was to keep the original heater box but placing a variable resistance or potentiometer so that the fan rotates faster. With this I do not get the air to come out 'hotter' but it does in more quantity. What do you think?

Regards, Luis

[panky]

If you've got one of those shammy covered sponge demister things they fit perfectly in the down facing heater slot cutting it off completely, the heater air has only one direction left to go. Saves pulling the heater and bonus - it dries out your sponge as well

[ChrisDrew09]

Before my restoration I did have all sorts of damp/ leaks so that probably didn’t help. Thanks for all the replies, massive help cheers👍🏼

[Pops_Guild]

My JDM Mini has some sort of after market heater (and wiper) control system. 4 speed heater control and multi speed wipers too.

I couldn’t tell you if the fastest heater fan speed is slower/same/faster than normal though. It does push a good amount of air to the screen.

As mine does have AC I have considered modifying the AC ducting to also feed the windscreen, so it could work similar to how modern cars rapid demist. I haven’t done anything with that thought though, too many other things to play with 🙂

[ChrisDrew09]

I use a later type SPI heather and dash vents (they are bigger and more robust then the old ones).

The old ones are smaller, and the part blowing on the screen will most of the time disform due to its age. The later type does not have this problem.

On my car it works verry wel.

i did the same for mine. they seem much better and mines the single speed. however you could spalsh out for the twin speed if you wanted, i dont think they run faster but you can run them slower and leave it on the screen, also check the flap seal as they do work when closing correctly.

How did the pipes fit onto the heater if they’re bigger?

[jaysmini1983]

 

 

I use a later type SPI heather and dash vents (they are bigger and more robust then the old ones).

The old ones are smaller, and the part blowing on the screen will most of the time disform due to its age. The later type does not have this problem.

On my car it works verry wel.

i did the same for mine. they seem much better and mines the single speed. however you could spalsh out for the twin speed if you wanted, i dont think they run faster but you can run them slower and leave it on the screen, also check the flap seal as they do work when closing correctly.

How did the pipes fit onto the heater if they’re bigger?

 

 

By changing to the SPI heater with the correct size pipes

[skoughi]

Later windscreen funnels, smooth bore pipes with all joins taped up, tape up the floor vents on the heater box and any other leaks that are on the heater box. Seems to work ok after that lot! Once I decide if I'm gonna splash out on an AC/DC tig welder then spend ages learning how to weld aluminium then I think I might construct a heater box that's as compact as possible using the existing fan to vent the windscreen only, and try to get it to sit higher up behind the dash.  

[mattj99]

I did all the tricks mentioned here. I rebuilt the unit replacing all the foam. I used jubilee clips and tape on all the joints. After that it worked better but still not perfect. Then I got a heated windscreen and honestly it was the best thing I ever did to the car - the windscreen clears in seconds. It was about 150 quid but it made such a difference.