Auto lights and wipers a year on
in [UK Drivers]
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From: Adrian on 6 Jul 2010 13:22 Mike Barnes <mikebarnes(a)bluebottle.com> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: > Actually my wipers start before the water hits the screen. Auto-wipers? How do they do that, then, given that the sensor works from the change in internal reflection caused by the water on the glass? > Both features leave more of my attention for other matters. How little attention does switching the wipers on require? Especially since the information "Oooh, look, water" informs other driving decisions that you can't easily abrogate to the elves.
From: Brimstone on 6 Jul 2010 14:06 "Adrian" <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:89h734FekbU1(a)mid.individual.net... > Mike Barnes <mikebarnes(a)bluebottle.com> gurgled happily, sounding much > like they were saying: > >> Actually my wipers start before the water hits the screen. > > Auto-wipers? How do they do that, then, given that the sensor works from > the change in internal reflection caused by the water on the glass? > >> Both features leave more of my attention for other matters. > > How little attention does switching the wipers on require? Especially > since the information "Oooh, look, water" informs other driving decisions > that you can't easily abrogate to the elves. That's where the Gremlins come in.
From: Mike Barnes on 6 Jul 2010 14:17 Adrian <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com>: >Mike Barnes <mikebarnes(a)bluebottle.com> gurgled happily, sounding much >like they were saying: > >> Actually my wipers start before the water hits the screen. > >Auto-wipers? How do they do that, then, given that the sensor works from >the change in internal reflection caused by the water on the glass? Ah, is that how they work? I live and learn. I guessed it was reflection from water drops in the air. Reinforced by the fact that they fail to come on if I start with a wet windscreen but it isn't actually raining. In any event, they do *seem* to come on before the water hits the screen, so I must assume that smaller drops arrive before the main deluge. It's also true that the wipers sometimes come on in response to rain that's so fine I don't even notice it. >> Both features leave more of my attention for other matters. > >How little attention does switching the wipers on require? More than none. -- Mike Barnes
From: John on 6 Jul 2010 17:48 "Adrian" <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:89gursF6n3U35(a)mid.individual.net... > "Mortimer" <me(a)privacy.net> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were > saying: > >>> I've never missed not having auto-wipers, but I've got variable speed >>> intermittent, which does make a huge difference. > >> How do you define the delay for variable-speed intermittent? > > Depends. On some it's a separate control, either a rotary cuff on the > stalk or a slider. On others, you flick intermittent on and off, pause, > then back on. To change the delay, off and get a "mark" wipe, pause, then > back on. > >>> Even so, several of the fleet don't even have fixed-interval >>> intermittent. <shrug> It's not the end of the world. You just install a >>> simulation of the delay relay in wetware. > >> You mean you press the flick-wipe control on the wiper stalk each time >> you need the screen wiping? > > Exactly that. > Don't for one minute think that Auto Lights and Wiper is for your benefit. It is a benefit for the manufacturers. A sensor connected to the car's control system costs less - once developed - than a switch with its cosmetic and rugged requirements and its wiring. Likewise TV remote control saved having lots of expensive potentiometers on a TV set. The makers then sell it to us a benefit - and it usually is.
From: John on 6 Jul 2010 17:49
"John" <Who90nospam(a)ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:JwNYn.144397$w51.74120(a)hurricane... > "Adrian" <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> wrote in message > news:89gursF6n3U35(a)mid.individual.net... >> "Mortimer" <me(a)privacy.net> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were >> saying: >> >>>> I've never missed not having auto-wipers, but I've got variable speed >>>> intermittent, which does make a huge difference. >> >>> How do you define the delay for variable-speed intermittent? >> >> Depends. On some it's a separate control, either a rotary cuff on the >> stalk or a slider. On others, you flick intermittent on and off, pause, >> then back on. To change the delay, off and get a "mark" wipe, pause, then >> back on. >> >>>> Even so, several of the fleet don't even have fixed-interval >>>> intermittent. <shrug> It's not the end of the world. You just install a >>>> simulation of the delay relay in wetware. >> >>> You mean you press the flick-wipe control on the wiper stalk each time >>> you need the screen wiping? >> >> Exactly that. >> > > Don't for one minute think that Auto Lights and Wiper is for your benefit. > It is a benefit for the manufacturers. A sensor connected to the car's > control system costs less - once developed - than a switch with its > cosmetic and rugged requirements and its wiring. > > Likewise TV remote control saved having lots of expensive potentiometers > on a TV set. > > The makers then sell it to us a benefit - and it usually is. > > Typo: The makers then sell it to us as a benefit - and it usually is. |