The equipment of a modern car is created in order to make the driver and passengers ride safe on the roads. Each device improves driving quality and increases visibility. The headlight washer is one such device that makes driving easier in inclement weather. A special hole is made in the bumper for its installation. It is impossible to notice the installation location of the device, since it is hidden and extends with the help of skids when turned on.
Washer materials
The design of the device consists of the following elements:
- Control block;
- Liquid tank;
- hoses;
- nozzles;
- Pump.
The tank is considered the main structural element. Water is poured into it, into which alcohol or a special liquid is added in winter, which does not allow it to freeze.
Hoses are used to deliver water to the sprayers. The length of the hoses depends on the location of the tank.
The nozzle is used for spraying liquid onto the diffuser and its rational consumption. The nozzle is produced in two versions. A simple version of the nozzle is a stationary sprayer that is mounted on the bumper. When installing such an atomizer, the fact that the design of the car will change slightly is taken into account. The telescopic nozzle is mounted in the car structure and opens only when the system is activated. In winter, work may fail due to freezing.
Also here you will find everything about, and why do it at all.
How to make a headlight washer with your own hands
The headlight washer is a lightweight design that you can assemble with your own hands. To assemble the structure, a set of jet washers is purchased. It consists of two nozzle bodies so that they can be adjusted to different types of bumpers. To assemble the washer, a tank is also purchased. You can use the tank that comes with the kit, but usually it is standard at two liters. If you need a smaller or larger volume, then the container is purchased additionally. For assembly, you will need a mounting plate for the tank. The place for installation of the structure must be carefully selected and measured. Now the build process starts:
- A 15 mm hole is drilled in the tank for the pump. A sealing gum is applied to the hole, and then a pump. If the pump housing is narrower than that of the tank brand used, then the pump is attached with electrical tape. After fixing the pump, the tank is installed. A tee valve is placed next to the tank to distribute water.
- Next, we move on to installing the injectors. They are recommended to be placed away from the center of the headlight if xenon is installed in the low beam. The installation location of the nozzles is carefully measured with a ruler for their exact fit. Having determined the installation location, a hole is drilled in the bumper. It is better not to make it large at once, but to gradually expand it to fit the size of the nozzle. Drilling is recommended from the outside of the bumper. In this case, the minimum amount of paint will rise. Then you need to fix the nozzles. Now you need to run hoses from the tank to the nozzles. It is advisable to choose the shortest path, bypassing the heating surfaces.
- After connecting the hoses, the structure is connected to electricity, and the control is displayed on the button. The best place to install the pump control unit is the ignition unit and the alarm column. The white wire is connected to the + side light. The red wire is routed through the fuse to the + power supply. The red and black wire, which is located next to the white one, is planted on the + and - washer. The blue wire is pulled into the cabin to install the activation button. The blue wire connects to + turn off the dimensions. It can also be connected to the backlight of the cigarette lighter.
Installing a headlight washer with your own hands: the nuances of the procedure
Installing a washer is a simple procedure for motorists who understand the device of a car. But familiarization with some of the nuances before installation will not be superfluous.
- Set. Some kits include a nozzle cover. It will help to do without drilling the bumper, since the tubes and nozzles are installed on this element.
- Tank installation. If the tank is to be installed separately, not in a glass cleaning tank, then a relay will need to be installed.
- Place for a tank. Before installation, you need to determine the place for a new tank. It is desirable to install it away from the heating components of the car. Motorists choose a place on the left side member above the gearbox.
- Place for injectors. Ideally, the nozzles are mounted opposite the optical center of the headlamp. This landmark is calculated from the pattern of the diffuser. The center is indicated by a circle. If xenon is installed in the dipped beam, then the nozzle installation location is shifted to the left.
- Bumper. Before you start drilling, you need to examine the interior space opposite the amplifier. There you can find regular holes that are placed in front of the upper platform of the spars.
- Mounts. The tubes must be put on fittings and tightened with tees.
Another option for installing a headlight washer (video)
You will learn more about installing a headlight washer in this video
Outcome
A headlight washer is a useful device that will make driving a car more comfortable and safer. It is useful to use them in rainy weather or off-road. If your car does not have a washer installed or has failed, you can always make and install it yourself.
A headlight washer is considered overkill in the design of a car, but this is far from the case, especially if you have xenon. Any pollution of lighting devices not only reduces the light transmission of the diffuser, but also changes the refractive index, which can cause blinding of oncoming drivers.
What is a headlight washer?
There are two types of this device, they differ in the principle of cleaning the diffuser. A jet headlight washer does this with a high-pressure jet of water that knocks out all possible dirt. No other intervention in the cleaning process is required. Today this is the most popular type of washer, and everything rests on modern headlights, now they are everywhere plastic. Plastic does not tolerate any friction, so traditional brushes are not suitable for it.
As it has already become clear, the second type of washer is a brush. Everything is very clear here, the process is similar to washing glass: water is supplied in a lazy stream to the diffuser, and the brushes, which are controlled by the headlight washer motor, diligently rub the surface. But in a modern car, such a rarity is no longer found, because only glass can withstand such a cleaning scheme, and they try not to make this material in the mass automotive industry. Therefore, you are unlikely to find such a kit on sale for self-installation.
Cover and headlight washer nozzle, as well as other elements of the device
The washer consists of the following parts: control system, water tank, hose and nozzle system, pump. It all starts with a tank, where there should always be a sufficient amount of washer fluid, usually water, but in winter it is mixed with alcohol, or a special “anti-freeze” is poured into the tank. Often, one tank is used to clean glass, depending on the flow rate of the liquid, it can be 2 liters, or maybe all 4. Usually, an increased volume is used if each element is cleaned not by one nozzle, but by several.
The pump provides the proper pressure in the system so that the liquid is sprayed on contaminated surfaces in the right mode. It obeys the electrical circuit of the entire car and responds to commands from the control system. Hoses provide fluid delivery to the spray elements, they can be of different lengths, of course, this is dictated by the location of the tank in your car. The headlight washer nozzle is responsible for the effective spraying of water on the lens and its rational use.
The nozzle can be of two types. The simplest in design is considered a stationary sprayer, it is constantly in sight, because it is mounted on the bumper, so when installing, count on some change in the design of your car. But the telescopic variety is hidden until it is used. The headlight washer nozzle cover carefully hides this useful attribute; it opens only at the command of the control system. But in winter, an incident can happen, this plug will freeze at some point and will not open "at your request."
You can control cleanliness yourself using a button, or you can install an intelligent control that will determine the need for cleaning in various ways, and according to its calculations, the headlight washer cover will open, setting the system in motion.
Do-it-yourself headlight washer installation
First you have to buy a washer kit. They may differ in the list of parts, depending not only on the principle of operation of the device, but also on the decorative preferences of the car owner and the shape of the bumper of his car. For example, some kits may include a headlight washer nozzle pad, this will save your bumper from drilling, since all communications, whether single nozzles or even brushes, will be installed on it. Also, you will always find in the kit instructions, hoses, pumps and a tank (if you do not crash into the main tank for cleaning glasses), the necessary relays.
Now everything is assembled, it's time to start. Installing any headlight washer kit starts with some decisions. We open the hood and examine the tank, whether it is possible to drill into it with an additional hose, this can usually be done in domestic cars, but foreign cars are more capricious. Therefore, we are looking for additional space for a new tank, it is better to place it away from heating parts. You have made the decision how to connect to the water source, now find a place for the nozzles. Ideally, they are placed opposite the optical center of the headlight, it can be calculated from the pattern on the diffuser, the center is indicated by a circle.
We drill a bumper opposite the center, make a small hole, then expand it for your nozzle, so it’s more rational than reanimating extra millimeters later. Drill from the outside of the bumper, so less paint will rise. Fix the nozzles, and if they do not match the color of the bumper, take care of this nuance in advance. Now we install the tank (if it is decided to install an independent one) and the pump. Each kit is individual, so the instructions included with the purchase will help you. It's time to run all the necessary hoses, take the shortest path, but beware of heating surfaces.
Now it's time for the electricians, the pump must be connected to a common electrical circuit and its control brought to a separate button or to a common windscreen washer. It is hard to say what is better to do, the opinions of motorists differ. The button will require a lot of trouble for connection, implantation, etc. But “sucking” to a regular washer means an increased consumption of cleaning fluid, because the headlights will be washed every time you want to arrange a wet cleaning of the glass. After making a decision and connecting the electricians, the installation can be considered complete.
Even the most powerful lighting devices will not illuminate the road if the headlight lenses are dirty. Consider how to install a headlight washer with your own hands to increase the level of safety when driving at night.
Washer selection
The headlight washer is a must when fitted with xenon headlights. In an article about installing xenon with your own hands, the easiest and cheapest way to equip a car with a headlight washer was indicated. But this method is well suited only to legalize the installation of xenon and not get a fine for improper conversion of the vehicle. From the point of view of efficiency, the use of a windshield washer pump is extremely inefficient. Due to the low pressure, the liquid will not effectively remove frozen or dried deposits. In order to somehow remedy the situation, you will have to run the washer for a longer period, which will lead to fluid overrun and a blow to the wallet in the winter.
Only a special high-pressure pump for headlight washers can ensure the effective operation of the system.
If a regular headlight washer was installed on your car in later years of production or in some trim levels, then you can buy an original kit. In this case, the number of alterations will be minimal, but the cost of standard devices often cannot be called humane. That is why we recommend that you opt for universal headlight washer kits, which can be of two types:
- telescopic - sprayers are pushed out of the hole in the bumper by the pressure of the incoming washer fluid;
- jet - sprayers are attached to the bumper near the headlight, similar to those used to wash the windshield.
Jet or telescopic
The telescopic version is much more pleasing to the eye and generally looks richer. But jet nozzles are easier to operate. In winter, frost sticks to the decorative covers of telescopic nozzles, thereby blocking their protrusion; also, as it becomes dirty and under the influence of frost, jamming of the mechanism may begin. Sometimes, in cases of cap blocking, due to increased pressure in the system, the hoses are torn off, which leads to fluid leakage. Also, retractable nozzles are more difficult to install, since their installation may require the manufacture of individual brackets.
In terms of power connection, pump installation and hose routing, jet and telescopic systems do not differ from each other.
What you need to install
The standard set of universal washers includes:
If you have one pump and two nozzles, all remaining items can be bought at an auto parts store. Instead of a control unit, a conventional 4-pin relay is suitable.
Standard set of mounting tools:
- a screwdriver, a drill for the nozzle (when installing jet nozzles, the diameter of the drill should be slightly smaller than the narrowest point of the nozzle body included in the bumper), as well as a drill for tapping into the tank, if necessary;
- needle files, a construction knife for giving the cutouts the correct shape;
- masking tape, pencil, ruler;
- pliers, keys, screwdrivers for removing the bumper.
Self installation
Power connection
When installing the power supply, follow the diagram provided by the device manufacturer. Carefully study the pinout of the connectors, the color scheme of the wires of the systems in which you will be introduced.
In a simpler, but no less functional, version, a conventional 4-pin relay is used to connect power. Take the power "plus" directly from the battery, placing the fuse of the required rating as close as possible to the battery (how to calculate the fuse rating). Connect the control "plus" from it. Screw the power minus to the “ground”, and stretch the control “minus” wire to the button in the cabin. The button should be normally open, without latching. Connect one output of the button to the control minus of the relay, and the second to ground inside the cabin. When the button is pressed, the contacts will close, causing the pump to turn on.
Dirty headlights are not as scary in daylight as they are in the dark. At night, even the slightest pollution will reduce the intensity of the light output of the headlights and significantly impair visibility. To solve this problem, there is a simple way - installing a headlight washer. Of course, the headlights will not be completely clean, but they can still improve visibility and increase comfort.
Any weather phenomena can be very unfavorable for car owners. But it is far from always possible to completely protect yourself from the vagaries of nature. The main thing is to minimize the impact of the consequences of natural phenomena. The main enemy of motorists is precipitation, or rather snow. Automotive optics, namely the main headlights, suffer from such phenomena the most. The windshield also suffers from precipitation, which instantly becomes dirty, especially when driving on highways. Headlights get dirty much more intense. The reason for this is their lower location, compared to glass, as well as a smaller angle of inclination.
The need for a headlight washer
For obvious reasons, the dirt on the headlights in daylight is not terrible for car owners. And at dusk and at night, the luminous flux from the headlights is significantly weakened due to the presence of even a small amount of dirt on them. In this case, the light will be scattered in various directions, including the oncoming traffic, thereby blinding other drivers. These factors significantly reduce traffic safety on the roads.
It is possible, and even necessary, to avoid serious consequences. There are several different ways to do this. One of the most budgetary options, which is simple and easy, is wiping the headlights with a damp cloth. The method, of course, is simple, but it is not always possible to use it. First, you must always have a damp cloth handy, or the ability to immediately moisten it. This can cause many difficulties. Secondly, in bad weather, you will have to make stops and get out of the car to wipe the headlights quite often. This will be especially unpleasant to do in heavy rain or heavy snow. It is also not always possible to stop. For example, it can be very difficult to do this on the track. The lanes are not always intended for an unplanned stop, and soaked mud is dangerous because it can easily fly into a ditch. If you are planning a long trip by car, then this method will obviously not be for you. Thirdly, after the first wiping of the headlights, the rag will become dirty and will no longer be able to perform its functions, but, on the contrary, will only aggravate the situation by smearing dirt on the headlights. In this case, you will have to look for a source of water, or constantly carry it with you, which is also not very convenient. Of course, there is such an option when you simply will not make trips at night in your car in bad weather. This is of course a very effective way, but not everyone can afford it.
From this situation, you can find a way out - install a headlight washer. With the help of such a device, it is impossible to achieve perfect cleanliness of the headlights, but it is still possible to significantly improve visibility and safety.
Types of washers
There are two types of washers: high pressure jet washers and low pressure washers with wipers. The second option is quite difficult to install on your own if it is not provided for by the design of the car. Yes, and in a professional car repair shop it will be difficult to do such work, because. significant mechanical changes to the machine will be required. The main difficulty is attaching the motors to the wipers and adjusting them with a specific headlight. If the car has headlights with a lens glass (non-flat headlights), then it will not be possible to install this type of washer. Jet washers have a simpler design. They are easy enough to install, and there should not be any difficulties in operation. And the appearance of such washers is much more attractive than the previous version.
Washer kit selection
For a competent choice of a set of headlight washers, you must first look at the design of the headlight glass (lenses) and the upper part of the bumper. This is a fundamental point, because. this will depend on the design of the washer.
Washers differ in the type of nozzles:
For flat bumper;
. for spherical bumper;
. for SUVs (high nozzles for large headlights located above the usual ones).
For some car models there are special kits. For example, for a Chevrolet Niva car, the nozzles have a rubberized base. Washers can be purchased both in regular car dealerships and in online stores. And in the latter case, you do not have to go anywhere. All you need to do is take a picture of your car's headlights so that it is completely in the frame, and take another shot of the headlight in profile so that the bumper also enters the frame. The photographs taken are presented to the consultant in the online store so that he can help in choosing a set of headlight washers.
In addition to the type of nozzles for the washer kit, the washer reservoir itself also matters. As a rule, it is not included in the washer kit.
Headlight washer reservoir
The important point is that you need to check if there is room for an additional pump in the standard windshield washer reservoir. If there is no such place, then you will have to install an additional tank (which will also require free space), or completely abandon the idea of \u200b\u200binstalling a headlight washer. But on domestic cars there are inexpensive tanks in which you can try to drill an additional hole for the pump, and in foreign-made cars it is better not to engage in such amateur activities.
If you still decide to install an additional tank, then you should correctly choose a place for it. It shouldn't overheat. And also must have access to it for refueling. It is recommended to place the tank as close as possible to the headlights, and definitely not in the trunk or other remote places.
Washer installation headlights
If you want to do everything quickly and easily, then you can simply contact a car service, where a washer will be professionally installed for you. You only need to buy a set of fixtures, and hand it over to the masters. But not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. Firstly, not all maintenance stations carry out this procedure. For many workshops, such work is considered very original, and far from everyone agrees to it. And, secondly, no one will guarantee that the work will be done with high quality, and will completely suit you. It is also possible that after buying a washer kit, you will understand that you do not want to install it yourself. And when you call the nearest car services, and you can’t find the masters for work, you may find yourself in a hopeless situation. You will have to look for familiar "masters No. who will agree to install a washer for you in their garage. And this is also not the best option. If you decide to do all the work yourself, then it is better to read the information to the end.
First of all, you need to remove the front bumper. The main work is to install the pump in a standard windshield washer reservoir (in foreign cars, it is usually located in the wing cavity behind the bumper), or in installing an additional reservoir and nozzles on the bumper. If anyone did not already know, the bumper will have to be drilled for this. If you are not sure about the quality of your work, then it is better not to start. After all, if the device does not work, or does not suit you and your car specifically, then the holes on the bumper will also have to be eliminated on your own.
The nozzles are installed opposite the optical center of the headlights. On the headlight glass (diffuser), this center is usually indicated by a circle. It is necessary to make markings in such a way that the nozzles are symmetrical to each other. First you need to drill a hole of small diameter, and then increase it in several approaches (3-4 times).
Drilling should be from the front side of the bumper, and in no case from the back, so as not to cause peeling of a large part of the paint. After that, the reliability of the fastening of the nozzle is checked.
It is worth noting that the nozzles are usually made in black, but the bumper can be of various shades. If such a color dissonance confuses you, then after estimating the holes for the nozzles, you need to remove them again and take them to the nearest car service for painting. As an example of body color, you can remove the gas tank flap. You can also paint them yourself.
After installing the pump and nozzles, the entire system is connected. It consists of tubes, valves and tees. Such a system is assembled and fixed, as a rule, without difficulty, following the instructions. After that, it remains to solve only the issue of electricians. The washer system is a hydraulic system, but the pump will be the consumer of electricity. And for its management it is necessary to connect the system correctly.
The pump can be connected in two ways:
To the standard windshield washer pump. In this case, the headlight washers will work every time you turn on the washer. To implement this method of connection, you must use an additional relay.
To the button in the headlight washer kit. In this case, the button must be installed in the cabin, in close proximity to the driver. When activated, the headlight washer will begin to function. With this type of connection, no additional relay is required.
The first method is considered easier and more convenient. In this case, it will not be necessary to pull additional wires into the passenger compartment, install a button (as well as find a place for it). And in a moving car, it is not always convenient to look for a button in the cabin. By regularly using the windshield washer, you will never forget the headlight washer, and the headlights will always be clean and visibility is good.
The only disadvantage of this method is that not every use of the washer requires washing the headlights. For example, during daylight hours, it may be necessary to clean the windshield from dust, but the headlights will also be washed. This leads to increased fluid consumption for glasses. But this shortcoming is not very critical. When using ordinary water, the car owner will not suffer any damage from fluid consumption during regular washing of glass and headlights.
After installing the headlight washer, you need to learn how to properly operate this device.
There are no difficulties in using the headlight washer, the principle of operation is similar to that of a standard windshield washer. But maintaining the performance of this device is more difficult. The main guarantee of long and trouble-free operation is cleanliness. Dirt that enters the nozzles and the valve from the reservoir adversely affects the operation of the washer, disabling it. Dirty nozzles will not be able to spray liquid, but will simply squirt it out.
To eliminate all the consequences, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the tank even at the stage of installing the washer. Various foreign bodies should not get into it. Only clean liquid should be poured into the system. It is not recommended to use tap water. You can use either boiled water or distilled water. In the summer, a neutral detergent (car shampoo) is added to the liquid to increase the cleaning performance of the system. With some pollution, ordinary water may not be able to cope, but only aggravate the situation. In the winter season, only antifreeze liquid should be used, without diluting it or adding any other reagents. The pump in the headlight washer will not withstand the freezing of the liquid, and will immediately fail. It is necessary to change the washer fluid in a timely manner when the season changes.
Nozzles should be regularly wiped and cleaned. You also need to periodically wipe the headlights themselves. The fluid in the tank will be consumed more intensively, so it is necessary to check its presence more often and top up periodically. The more liquid there is in the tank, the greater the hydrostatic pressure will be, and it will be much easier for the pump to work. You should also periodically check the fastening of all elements and monitor the quality of the wiring.
To keep the headlight washer in working order, you need to use it even when it is not necessary. Naturally, not so often. In this case, the nozzle of the nozzles will be cleaned, and there will be no breakdowns in the system.
This is general information about headlight washers for cars. Of course, with the help of such a device it will not be possible to keep the headlights in perfect cleanliness, but it is quite possible to significantly improve their visibility and visibility. Owners of cars with xenon headlights need a headlight washer.
Good luck on the roads!
