14 replies to this topic

[WanaGo]

Hi All,

 

Some years ago I got the A-Series electric window kit, and I regretted it immediately, however it has worked ok enough until about 6 months ago, and now the plastic cog inside the motor which gets driven by the metal worm gear, has stripped out.

I was going to attempt to 3D print another, but the design is quite complex in terms of the teeth for driving against the Worm, and its unlikely to last very long either with a 3D Printed part.

 

So I am looking for a new kit.

 

Seen the Minispares ones, and the WP one, and Somerford Minis one, and there are a few others, all very similar (unsure if they are actually the same or not - anyone know?), but I have not found ANY youtube videos of people showing them off, or installing them, or anything.

 

Like the Minispares MSSK2000 kit for example. Its expensive and I was hoping to find a video about it and show it working, but I just cant find anything.

 

Does anyone know of a video of these in use or being installed? Or any other kits other than the A-Series version, or custom versions adapted from something else? Looking for an off the shelf solution.

 

Has anyone tried any of these and found them to be no good, and changed to something else and found them to be good? I just dont want to be wasting more money on something which is sub-par.

 

http://www.minispare...s/MSSK2000.aspx

 

https://www.somerfor...de-impact-doors

 

https://www.moss-eur...t-wpa9220x.html

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255515838543

 

Its for my '79 Clubman

 

Thanks

[MikeRotherham]

Have you compared the A Series actuators with bog standard ones that you can buy for a few pounds each?

 

For example:

 

https://www.carbuild...actuator-5-wire

 

Compare the number of wires and the hole positions?

 

Perhaps you can modify the A Series aluminium mounting plates to secure the new actuator to.

 

I know you said you were looking for an off the shelf solution but this would be a far cheaper remedy with virtually no removal and re installation needed.

Edited by MikeRotherham, 04 April 2023 - 06:08 AM.

[stuart bowes]

that seems to be a door lock actuator and the OP is about window motors, unless I'm missing something ....

 

personally I'd probably just put the manual winders back in, but I realise that doesn't answer the question (I have no experience of the motors to base anything on)

[WanaGo]

Have you compared the A Series actuators with bog standard ones that you can buy for a few pounds each?

 

For example:

 

https://www.carbuild...actuator-5-wire

 

Compare the number of wires and the hole positions?

 

Perhaps you can modify the A Series aluminium mounting plates to secure the new actuator to.

 

I know you said you were looking for an off the shelf solution but this would be a far cheaper remedy with virtually no removal and re installation needed.

 

Yeah that is Central Locking, not Electric Windows. Not related, but thanks.

[WanaGo]

personally I'd probably just put the manual winders back in, but I realise that doesn't answer the question (I have no experience of the motors to base anything on)

 

Yeah, really thinking I might do that, as I am not sure I want to gamble that sort of money if I dont have good reviews or feedback from people to justify the spend.

 

For as long as these things have been available for, its somewhat crazy that there is essentially no videos or details available online about them... I cant find anything on Youtube.

[WanaGo]

This is the kit I currently have

 

Rubbish. Plastic gears, metal worm drive, not a good mix especially with how tight some of the mini glass can be in the doors - like mine, it just ate the plastic after a while.

Plus the metal cables that go from the motor to the door mechanism, stop the door cards sitting flush. Did not work out as nicely as I had hoped. 

The minispares etc ones are quite different though, so most of those issues are solved from what I can tell. 

[MikeRotherham]

Sorry about that.

 

It was the first thing I looked at when I got up this morning still half a sleep!

[Chris1275gt]

That kit you have fitted looks like a right Heath Robinson affair.
My 75 gt W&P has had electric windows from new but when I bought it the old motors were shot and no longer existed so I bought the moss Europe kit. I had to modify it as the centre of the window is moved over on account of the1/4 windows in the door but it was easy to modify and in 4 years still works perfectly. From what I can see all the kits are made by the same company. Follow the instructions and as it’s a 79 you won’t have the strengthening bar across the door to contend with. The kit itself works on a similar principle as the window wiper mechanism and is pretty solidly built. Without my modifying it would of been a very easy fit so I would thoroughly recommend it.
I use the car all year round so I would say it’s had a proper test.
As my doors were already cut about I did buy a manual winder mechanism and stripped all the working parts off it and just fitted the plain plate back onto the door.

Edited by Chris1275gt, 04 April 2023 - 01:09 PM.

[WanaGo]

That kit you have fitted looks like a right Heath Robinson affair.
My 75 gt W&P has had electric windows from new but when I bought it the old motors were shot and no longer existed so I bought the moss Europe kit. I had to modify it as the centre of the window is moved over on account of the1/4 windows in the door but it was easy to modify and in 4 years still works perfectly. From what I can see all the kits are made by the same company. Follow the instructions and as it’s a 79 you won’t have the strengthening bar across the door to contend with. The kit itself works on a similar principle as the window wiper mechanism and is pretty solidly built. Without my modifying it would of been a very easy fit so I would thoroughly recommend it.
I use the car all year round so I would say it’s had a proper test.
As my doors were already cut about I did buy a manual winder mechanism and stripped all the working parts off it and just fitted the plain plate back onto the door.

 

Nice thanks for the feedback. 

 

Curious how the kits differ, as they really do look very much the same, so quite likely are all from the same supplier as you said.

 

The minispares one is a bit cheaper than Moss.

 

Moss does have instructions and some photos so that is nice to see at least. Minispares has nothing on their website.

[Chris1275gt]

If you purchase a kit without instructions I can photo them and post them.

[WanaGo]

I just requested the instructions from Minispares, and I can confirm the instructions are 100% identical to the ones on the Moss website, so they are identical units it would seem.

Just FYI to anyone curious.

[Davidmt]

Great stuff - this is one of the items that I want to add to my car - it has had new replacement doors fitted.  I assume these don't have any strengthening bars and should be a realatively straight forward install - may as well do the central locking at the same time.

 

Doors are at the start of this video (2 mins in) if anyone has the time to check?

Mini 1275 (1400) GT More jobs finished, she starts for the first time in months and a plan is made! - YouTube

 

Thanks

[DeadSquare]

The hidden message in that bit of video says, "Unless you are more clever than me, send your doors to an expert".

[Davidmt]

The hidden message in that bit of video says, "Unless you are more clever than me, send your doors to an expert".

Not sure it was even hidden but the message was more about fitting the original internals to a new aftermarket door.  I have just ordered the Mini Spares electrric window kit plus the keyless remote central locking.  Will give me something to play with as a starter project.  I will update once I start fitting but have fitted electric windows kits before to a couple of car.

[Mini Manannán]

Mine were 'Heath Robinsonised' from Fiat Punto 'leccy motors 8 years ago, Apart from a spate of blowing fuses they've been great