Do-it-yourself heated car mirrors

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In winter, when the air temperature is below zero, the side mirrors begin to become covered with condensate or ice. This impairs visibility. As a result, the driver has to regularly be distracted and wipe the windows. Today, some vehicle manufacturers install heated mirrors on their models that run a heating element with a defrost function. Of course, such systems are expensive, and not everyone can afford it. But if desired, you can install standard components. This will not only save money, but also equip the mirrors with a heating system. You can do it at home.

The benefits of heated mirrors

Heated rear-view mirrors have many advantages. The main reflectors contain only one element placed in a protective housing. It can be easily customized for the driver. Some car manufacturers add additional features to such products. This makes mirrors easier to use. Among these additions, it is worth highlighting an additional heat source designed to heat the side reflectors. This option is suitable for those who live in a cold region or do not havegarage where you could leave your vehicle in snowy weather.

Heated mirrors clean very quickly and easily. The heating element increases the temperature of the product, which leads to the melting of snow and the removal of moisture from the surface of the reflectors. It is worth noting that cars that are originally equipped with such products have a separate button on the dashboard designed to heat the driver's side.

Types of heating

At the moment, there are several main types of heating for rear-view mirrors:

1. Wire base heater system.
2. Heater based on printed conductors.
3. Film heater system.

Each variety has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Wire based heater

In this case, heated mirrors are equipped with a simple heater, which is made of wire. It is wound on the base or pressed between several strips of insulating material. Such a heater is fixed with adhesive tape, mechanical clips or glue on the back of the reflector.

It is worth considering that such a heating system has a rather low efficiency, since after its installation there are gaps between the reflector and the element itself, as well as air gaps.

Heater based on printed conductors

This heating system is a thin layer made with conductive pastes by screen printing. In the manufacture of such a heater, a printed conductor is laid between several layers of a heat-resistant polymer. The heating system itself is installed to the rear wall of the reflector using adhesive tape or glue.

There is another type of similar heater. In this case, the heating system consists of an insulating tape, on top of which printed conductors are formed. However, such a system also has low efficiency due to the intermediate layers.

Film heating system

Heated mirrors can be equipped with film heater. It is considered the most reliable. Such a system is made on the basis of a resistive film element. This is a kind of layer that conducts current. Such a heater is installed on reflectors using double-sided adhesive tape. The material allows a more even distribution of the heat flux over the entire area of the reflector. To start such a heating system, a separate button or a reflector heating button is used.

How to tell if a heater is present

Many drivers, having purchased a new car, do not know how to turn on the heated mirrors. First of all, you need to make sure that such a system exists. This can be identified:

1. According to the presence of the heating button on the dashboard.
2. Starting the car engine, touch the mirror after a few minutes. If the reflectors are warm, the system is installed.
3. According to the presence of elements and heating wires in the case.

If desired, the heated side reflectors can be connected to the heated rear window.

If there is no heater

If the heated side mirrors are not provided in the vehicle, then you can install such a system by purchasing ready-made components. The process itself takes a little time. Any motorist can cope with the installation. The main thing is to follow the instructions:

1. First you need to find the relay box. It is enough to open the hood and find a black box. In such a box there will be several relays. There must be a diagram on the lid of the box. Thanks to it, you can determine what each relay is intended for. There is nothing difficult in this. Having found and removed the desired relay, it must be replaced with what was included with the mirror element. Finally, connect all the wires and close the hood.
2. Actual reflectors should be removed by unscrewing all the screws that hold them. Old components must be removed and wires disconnected.
3. After that, install new components, connect the heated side mirror wires, and then reinstall the inner cover by tightening all the screws.

Now you know how to connect heated mirrors. The process is simple, and there is no need to contact specialized services.

Do-it-yourself heating

If you wish, you can make heated mirrors with your own hands. For this you will need:

1. Wire connectors.
2. Wiring.
3. Heat shrink or electrical tape.
4. Cable ties in different sizes.
5. Regular relay 30A 4-pin.
6. Electrical plugs or terminals.
7. Phillips screwdriver.
8. 12 and 10 mm sockets.
9. Rigid wire.
10. Wire stripper.
11. A hair dryer for drying plastic and a mirror element and a soldering iron.

Assembly process

Some drivers install electrically heated mirrors. This scheme is more complicated. Therefore, consider the simplest option. To begin with, it is worth removing the door cards by unscrewing all the screws in their ends and in the handle, as well as removing the speaker mounts. The analysis does not end there. You should remove the handle and unscrew all the screws that are hidden behind it. After that, you can remove the card, starting from the side of the mirror.

Now in the folded position it is worth removing the mirrors. First you need to unscrew all the screws that attach the reflectors to the door. The wires must be disconnected. In conclusion, it is worth disconnecting the mirror element by pulling on the bottom. Using a hair dryer, you can separate the reflector from the plastic housing. Now it's worth attaching the heating element to the plastic, and then cut out the holes for the contacts.

After that, it is necessary to remove the protective layer and attach the heater first to the mirror, and then to the plastic. Wires should be pulled through the body of the side reflector, crimping and connecting all the contacts. ATthe end is to install the mirror element, and then the entire structure on the turntable.

If the system is broken

What should I do if the heated mirrors do not work? To fix the damage, you will have to disassemble the reflectors. In this case, there is no need to remove them. It is worth lowering the mirror adjustment to the very bottom, and then remove the mirror itself by carefully inserting a metal object into the gap that has arisen, preferably a ruler. The reflector should be gently pushed towards you. As a result, the mirror will easily yield and be removed.

Now it is worth disconnecting the contacts on the reflector from the contacts, and then ringing everything with a tester. If everything is fine, then the problem lies not in the wiring, but in the heater threads themselves. To fix the problem, you will have to disassemble the reflector.

Old heater compartment

To replace the heating element in the rearview mirror, you need to remove it. This is a delicate process that requires patience. To separate the plastic protection from the mirror, it is worth lowering it into hot water. As it heats up, the element can be gently peeled off.

Under the plastic there is usually a soft material that securely fixes the filaments of the heating element. It also needs to be removed. To do this, the part is again placed in hot water. The material should separate. Residues of glue are recommended to be removed. You can use white spirit for this. The substance will prepare the surface for gluing a new heater. Many are afraid that white spirit can damage the mirror coating. But it's not. After all, the spraying isthe back of the part.

Replacing an old heating element is no different from installing a new one. The main thing is to purchase a heating system the same as it was before. After installation, all parts must be returned to their place, being careful. Inaccurate work can damage the mirror itself. At the end of the installation, it is worth checking the system to exclude connection errors.

Finally

Heated rear-view mirror is essential for those drivers who live in cold climates. When the temperature drops, frost and condensation may form on the reflectors. It is not always possible to remove moisture from the glasses at once. As a result, the driver does not always clearly see what is happening behind him. Heating allows you to easily clean the surfaces of the reflectors. The cost of finished components is quite high. To save money, you can install the mirror heating system yourself.