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Re: Car mirror heater pad

Subject: Re: Car mirror heater pad
From: "Dave Plowman (News)"
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:29:26 +0100
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.repair
In article <2%ZSg.4674$N4.1668@clgrps12>,
   Homer J Simpson <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Space is a problem. The glass is glued to a thin frame which clips
> > onto the motor assembly. There is some space in the centre of the
> > mirror, but some form of thin heating mat as original would be best.

> Then use the 240 Volt radiator element and some fibreglass tubing and
> make up a 12 volt heater that way.

That's another thought. My idea for using NiChrome resistance wire was to
weave it through some thin flexible sheet - but don't know what sort of
sheet would stand the temperature. First thoughts were mica.

> Unless a wrecker has these your chances look pretty slim. 

Thing is I believe it's still the way heated mirrors are made so someone
must still make the elements. The size isn't critical as the original only
covers about 1/2 of the area. 

As regards secondhand ones, the stupid wiring has the element on all the
time the car is running, and the youngest cars are now 20 years old. When
I do find a solution I'll think of a better way. Either switched by the
heated rear screen circuit, or incorporate a thermostat.

> I doubt that cutting down the RS Components pads will work.

My feeling is also that their heat output per area is too small for this
app.

-- 
*Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? *

    Dave Plowman        dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx           London SW
                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

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