What is defroster / Defogger? What is glass resistance, exactly? Why doesn’t the glass resistor work? What causes the failure of rear window heaters? What is the working principle of a defroster/defroster? What types of defrosters are there?
What is Defroster?
You may find it difficult to prepare for your daily commute if you live somewhere with rainy and cold winters. Defrost your mirrors and car windows. You will be able to see your way and can drive safely. Nearly all cars have a defroster.
Many names can be given to the car defroster. The defroster is commonly referred to by its name, but it’s also known as a glass defroster or defogger. Whatever you call it it, it plays an important role in the driver’s field of vision.
The purpose of the defroster, is to remove condensation misting and icing. Modern cars have heaters that can easily remove condensation from the side, back and front windows.
Drivers had to be cautious when driving in wet and cold weather before the defroster was invented. The windows would become frosted in very cold regions, limiting the view. Both situations made it difficult for drivers to see clearly and keep their eyes on the road. Heinz Kunert (German Engineer and Inventor), studied the problem thoroughly and came up with a solution that eliminates water vapour in glasses. It was simple, but it worked. To avoid obstructing vision, insert fiber wires into the rear window. Then heat the glass using an electric current. To make driving safer and more enjoyable, automobiles began to have rear defoggers from the 1950s.
How does the defroster work? What are the different types?
There are two types of windshield defrosters. They are located on the rear windows and windshield. Depending on your vehicle’s year, make and type, the components that activate the windshield or rear window defrosters will vary. In simple terms, the rear defroster is powered by electricity and the front defroster relies on air circulation.
The front defrosters are also known as primary defrosters. They use the vehicle’s heating ventilation (HVAC), to remove the mist from the windshields and side windows. It draws in fresh air from outside. Then it heats it up by passing it through your vehicle’s heater core. It then sends the dense air it has created to the windshield via the ventilation holes. This changes the temperatures of both the windshield’s and side windows. It helps remove any mist and ice. It can also absorb most of any moisture that has formed on the glasses’ surfaces within seconds.
You can control fan speed and temperature with most tools. To speed up defrosting and demisting, some vehicles have a setting that directs the hot air to your windshield. Some vehicles split the warm air between the windshield or the floor.
However, the secondary vehicle defroster works in a different way. The secondary vehicle defroster doesn’t depend on the HVAC system to heat air. It uses electricity instead and relies on a number of wire grids, or resistors, attached to the rear window and mirrors. The glass will have fine lines if you examine it closely. These lines are made up of electrically heated wires embedded within the glass. By pressing the button on the front panel, the heater activates and defrosts the rear window. This gives the driver a clear view. Although it does not work the same way as the primary defroster it can clean your rear window and mirrors.
The greatest advantage of an electric defroster’s activation is when you turn the ignition key and start the vehicle. Pre-defrosters work only when the engine is warm. They require warm air. Many luxury vehicles and models with newer engines have electric windshield defrosters.
You should also remember to only use the defroster when absolutely necessary. By running your air conditioner unnecessarily, you will waste gas and cause your car to become hotter or colder that it should.
Some cars also have heated exterior rear view mirrors that are electrically heated to defrost and demist. The electrical wires on the rear window are not visible in the mirrors. Although these heaters do not produce heat that can burn your skin, they are effective in their task.
Tips
There are several ways to defrost and defrost windows more efficiently. Start your engine, and let it warm up for a few moments before you start driving. In winter, it is a good idea to keep an ice scraper and a defroster spray in your car. These tools can be combined with the defroster spray to easily remove ice or snow from your windshield.
You can also turn on the heater if your car doesn’t have a defroster. You should adjust the HVAC recirculation settings so your car can draw outside air. To get rid of moisture buildup in your cabin, turn on the HVAC recirculation setting and open the windows.
There are safe defrosting and demisting methods. However, there are some methods that you should avoid. Hot water used to melt snow or ice on windows in winter can cause cracks due to temperature fluctuations. You should also be careful to not use any makeshift tools to remove snow and ice from your car’s windows in order to not scratch the glass or paint.
Why Does the Defroster Not Work?
If the mist or frost remains on your windows after you turn on defroster, then there may be a problem. It can be difficult for you to identify the cause and pinpoint the source of the problem. These are the most common issues that can cause malfunctions in the defroster, and stop it from performing its task.
- – Defective heater core
- – Broken heating valves
- – A defective air conditioner system
- – Defective heater fan
- – Boiler pipes clogged
- – Non-working and stuck control buttons
- – Blown glass resistance fuse
- Cracking or breaking resistance wires
- – Low antifreeze levels (if too low, the vehicle will not warm up properly and may not allow the defroster heat up).
The problem can be diagnosed by you. The heater fan could be at fault if the air is not circulating in the vents. The broken wires can easily be found if you examine the rear windows. Broken wires can be repaired, but severe damage may require the rear window to be replaced. A professional mechanic can help you identify and fix the root cause.
