electric windows...dont curse me!

Post by **callyspoy** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:39 pm

hi folks, not really that interested in doing it(well a bit) but has it been done quite a bit? if so, what motor would you use etc. i'd love to know the basics. also, the thought of all four windows going down at the touch of a button...i like that! hehe! but as i said...not THAT interested...as it is probably beyond my capabilities...

Post by **youngun** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:06 pm

Probably more trouble than its worth, especially with the all the wiring and fiddling of mechanisms to be done.
Sorry to relieve myself on your parade!

Post by **polo2k** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:15 pm

these days it might be possible with big, simple servos (some do 9kg/m now!!!) so some brackets would be needed and some wireing, but i cant begin to imagine how odd it would look to see a minor rolling down all 4 windows at once lol.

(I just had an image in my head of how fast servos usually move in radio controlled cars. if the big servos move like that it would be quite hillarious to see the windows moving up and down!)

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:12 am

polo2k wrote:(I just had an image in my head of how fast servos usually move in radio controlled cars. if the big servos move like that it would be quite hillarious to see the windows moving up and down!)

Not if a body part gets in the way of the glass!

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:06 am

I adapted a spare MGB GT manual mechanism to electric.
I used the window motor off a Maestro, as I've already broken one (for Perkins Prima diesel engine to go into a LDV van), and it was lying around.
The teeth on the drive cog were the same as the manual cog so was an easy adaptation.
I intended to remove the teeth off the manual cog but leave the handle spindle in place. The idea was to then add stops, springs and microswitches so instead of touching a button on the dash or where ever you simply moved the original handle up or down a few mm.
Maestro motors are very slim, as I suspect are most, but I'm still not sure if they would work on a Minor.

This is another option -
http://www.sempal.co.uk/acatalog/SPAL_E ... _KITS.html

Paul Humphries

Post by **dunketh** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:29 am

In the case of my old mk1 (and 2) fiestas I found a drive cog inside the mechanism that would mesh with the cog on an electric window motor.

I had to split the mechanism into pieces, resulting in me losing the 'stub' that the winder attaches to and a couple of tension springs.

I dont know whats 'inside' the minor drive mech but if theres a cog theres a way!
I simply bolted a pair of motors out of an old sierra to mine - but then all Ford stuff comes form the the same parts bin. You'd have to check on the Minor.
Fords are also handy for the wiring as its so simple. Only 4 wires, two switching +/- and one live and one earth.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:08 pm

To be honest, though, the Minors windown are so easy to wind down- lightest windows I've ever winded on a car in fact-, is a powered window option necessary??? Its another thing to go wrong, more weight on the car etc and more drain on the dynamo.

Post by **dunketh** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:13 pm

I like the idea as part of a 'total closure' alarm setup.
The thing is its practically impossible to implement central locking, certainly on a 4 door, so that idea is no good anyway...

Post by **Peetee** » Tue May 06, 2008 4:24 pm

I like the idea as part of a 'total closure' alarm setup

But it still leaves the weak link - the quarterlights.

Post by **callyspoy** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:40 pm

quick responses...as i said, i was just thinking about it! as said by chickenjohn, the windows are stupidly easy to roll down, but i just thought it would be funny...!! and i like to drive with all windows down...

Post by **badfelafel** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:51 pm

electric windows?
total closure?
alarm?
on a dynamo?
now thats cool... better have a GOOD battery!

Post by **badfelafel** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:54 pm

paulhumphries wrote:This is another option -
http://www.sempal.co.uk/acatalog/SPAL_E ... _KITS.html

Looked at the site, which says

sempal.co.uk website wrote:Don't forget to order your electric window switches to suit your vehicle.

That got me thinking! What would you use? And where? Could get something really nice - perhaps a bakelite pull/push for up down?

Post by **Shawn** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:58 pm

There's a good guide on the Australian forum. It works on the "if there's a cog, there's a way" principle!

http://www.morrisdownunder.com/forum/vi ... php?t=2565

Post by **Packedup** » Wed May 07, 2008 11:37 pm

Peetee wrote:
I like the idea as part of a 'total closure' alarm setup
But it still leaves the weak link - the quarterlights.

That's where servos would be handy I reckon. Drive the quaterlights from below, with some sort of link to the bottom pin/ hinge.

Latching them would be tricky, they'd have to be driven in such a way they couldn't be moved by hand - Meaning electric quaterlights too!