DD itself is not an invention of Japanese automakers: such systems have been tested on cars Americans since the middle of the twentieth century, but have not received wide distribution. The invention was tried to be introduced by the companies of the GM concern.
Engineers wanted to install the sensor on the flagship Cadillac Eldorado, but could not bring the technology to mind, so only a limited edition of such machines was mastered. Now the presence of a rain sensor is positioned as an advantage for golf-class and budget cars: the business and premium segments are equipped with technology by default.
The development has gone far beyond the automotive industry: rain sensors are used in agricultural complexes, security systems, technological chains on industrial enterprises, in Smart Home systems.
The full name of the functional element is “rain and light sensor”. Its task is to automatically activate the wipers in a mode sufficient to completely remove moisture from the windshield. The purpose of introducing the component can be called improving traffic safety in bad weather: the driver does not waste time activating and selecting the operating mode of the wipers; he is completely focused on driving. Also, the device will not only activate the wipers: it will automatically turn on the headlights when the light changes.
One of the typical complaints about rain sensors is the unstable operation of the described electronic system on cars manufactured in the early / mid-2000s. Even on premium brands like BMW or Audi, the meter did not work correctly and did not start the wipers. To date, the operation of the device has been brought to the reference level: DD works stably even on domestic budget cars.
What is the sensor made of?
The design of the rain sensor is quite simple. The automatic glass cleaning system works due to the presence of:
- groups of photocells: the system includes a photodiode of external lighting and a remote photocell;
- LEDs;
- relay block;
- control block;
- infrared emitter.
The sensor components are enclosed in a protected plastic case, which is placed inside the interior rear-view mirror.
How does it work?
The mechanics is tied to the permanent analysis of incoming / outgoing light rays by electronics. The memory of the control unit contains information about the parameters of light rays in clear weather under normal lighting. Constantly falling raindrops refract the light wave, which is recognized by the control unit as a deviation from the norm. Reverse pulse technology is also involved: the device generates light fluxes and receives them. Let's say we have a certain amount of light emitted by the sensor. In dry and clear weather, the number of incoming waves will be approximately equal to the number of outgoing waves.
If the discrepancy is significant, then the meter activates either the wipers or the head optics.
The output LED is designed to respond to changes in the intensity of precipitation. The purpose of the outdoor light sensor, we think, is clear from the name. The relay, in turn, controls the automatic switching on of the wipers and, if necessary, activates the washer.
If the car is equipped with the described device, then the car owner will have to get used to such a phenomenon as unauthorized operation. It can occur due to contamination of the “lobash” (especially when it is located in the wiper stroke area).
The sensor can be provoked by stains, adhering insects, waste products of birds, sweat traces.
Rain Sensor Myths
The massive introduction of this technology into the automotive industry has generated an incredible amount of enchanting misconceptions about how the rain sensor works in a car. Let's take a look at the craziest ones. The first place is out of competition. It has not been established for certain who developed the theory that DD does not measure incoming / outgoing light flows, but (attention!) The intensity of raindrops hitting the windshield surface. In this situation, it is enough just to imagine how much such “smart” glass would cost and how much trouble it would be with its installation and connection.
Myth No. 2: DD is non-functional during frosts and seasonal colds. Indeed, during this period, certain deviations of the functional state are noticed. But this does not mean that the sensor is frozen. It's just that the device reads the readings in a different way when snow lies on the windshield and ice forms. The parameters of refraction of rays change radically. However, if filaments are built into the glass, then the meter works normally.
Bad weather is a huge hindrance to comfortable driving. That is why the car contains a lot of elements and sensors that react to the environment and regulate the operation of systems in accordance with the incoming data. This allows you to make driving more comfortable by adjusting the headlights, turning on the wipers and many other elements. Especially such a system is relevant in the rain.
Purpose of the rain sensor
The rain sensor is an element that reacts to the appearance of drops on the windshield. It is necessary to automatically turn on the wipers, close the sunroof, windows and other elements of the car. It allows you to react to bad weather without the direct participation of the driver, which greatly simplifies driving.
The rain sensor is located on the windshield inside the cabin. Often it is mounted on suction cups or on the back of the rear-view mirror. Such a mount is convenient in that it becomes visually invisible. But practicality is important, not beauty.
Such components become an indispensable part of the car. Often they are in the basic configuration of many cars, but they are recommended for installation on any model. After all, they significantly increase driving comfort in seasons when the weather is changeable. That is why they are so popular.
The principle of the element
All common models are based on a sensitive light sensor. They are a structure that includes:
- infrared emitter;
- photodetector;
- Control block;
- frame;
- relay block.
The design contains a control unit in which the necessary data for operation are built in, as well as commands when rain is detected.
The principle of operation of the device is the refraction of light. The sensor regularly scans the surface of the windshield, analyzing the results with embedded indicators. The baseline results are loaded into the control and are data obtained with dry and wet glass surfaces. If the computer did not notice the change, then the sensor continues to operate normally. If the refraction of light is noticed, which happens when water hits the glass, then the system closes the relay unit and sends a rain signal to the car. In this case, the windshield wipers are turned on, the windows and sunroof are closed.
Interesting! The rain sensor is often combined with a light sensor. The second is necessary to adjust the brightness of the headlights depending on the time of day and weather.
Some models of such devices are able to determine the intensity of precipitation, adjusting the intensity of the wipers based on this data. The same applies to the light sensor when adjusting the brightness of the headlights. However, this is only possible on a car where the possibility of such a function is provided.
This is the whole principle of the device. Its additional adjustment or adjustment is practically not required. Some models combine additional functions like determining the degree of glass contamination and others, which also greatly simplifies the life of the driver.
Features of the sensor
It is important to note a few nuances that are worth remembering when using such a sensor. This will greatly simplify further work with it, because no mechanism can be perfect. It is worth remembering this and providing more control over the car.
First, the rain sensor must be placed vertically. It is located in the part where the wiper blades reach. It is important that there are no deformations or damage to the glass at the installation site.
Important! If there is an infrared filter on the glass, this may interfere with the operation of the device.
Most models of this device work only in the first position of the wipers. In this case, they regulate the intensity of their work. In other cases, the sensor does not affect their activity.
It is also important to ensure that you have control over your windshield wipers. Some drivers completely shift this task to the sensor, but this does not always help. Often there is local contamination of the glass, such as splashes from a puddle that have fallen on only part of the car, or bird droppings. If the sensor does not see this, then the wipers will not turn on.
Often, the sensor can be triggered by various little things, including:
- spray;
- insects;
- leaves;
- shade from trees.
Such minor details can cause the wipers to turn on and work on dry glass. This should be avoided by turning off the device in dry and cloudless weather.
All these nuances should be considered when purchasing and using the sensor. This approach will greatly simplify handling and optimize its performance.
DIY rain sensor
It is quite difficult to create a working rain sensor on your own. Although the principle of its operation is quite simple, only an experienced electronics engineer can make it without outside help. Soldering skills are needed here, as well as the acquisition additional elements, the cost of which can be compared with the cost of a new device. When choosing such a solution, it is better to purchase a ready-made version that will be more reliable and efficient.
If you still need to make a sensor yourself, then there is one solution. It is based on current conductivity and two contact plates. Often the plates are made of foil or printed on textolite boards in the form of tracks.
The design idea is simple - it is necessary to cut the foil in the form of two plates with a serpentine path in the middle. Then connect one part to the battery, and the second to the relay. When it rains, water will fall on the plates, closing them. This will activate the relay.
Important! Although rainwater has low current conductivity, imperceptible dust particles will increase this figure, allowing the circuit to work.
To create such a scheme, you need to take:
- aluminum foil;
- dielectric substrate;
- glue or other fixative;
- wires;
- relay;
- power supply.
It is necessary to cut the foil according to the example above, and then stick it on the dielectric substrate. The size should be made small about 3x3 centimeters. Next, you need to connect the wires to the foil. This can be done by screwing in two conductive screws. After that, the relay and power supply are connected. You can test the device immediately, if necessary, reducing the distance between the segments.
It is worth noting that it is much more efficient to make such a circuit on a textolite board. Having done enough complex scheme with narrow traces and a small gap between them, it is possible to increase the reliability of the sensor to a high level.
However, it does not give a high guarantee of operation. Yes, and it is quite difficult to place it imperceptibly. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase ready-made options which are much more reliable.
Rain sensor installation
Connecting the rain sensor takes place in several stages. This is a fairly simple process, but it is worth paying attention to the details, which will eliminate problems in operation due to improper installation. The following steps are noted in the process:
- Holder connection.
- Application of a special gel.
- Connecting the sensor to the car.
- Checking the installation.
The first step is to install the holder. This is a simple element for fixing the sensor on the glass. Done with glue.
Next, a special gel is applied to both working surfaces on the sides of the sensor to ensure the most accurate transmission of light from the outside of the glass to the sensors. After applying the gel, the sensor itself is fixed on the holder by means of a self-tapping screw.
After all the connection steps, it is worth checking the sensor area for bubbles, debris and other elements that interfere with the normal operation of the sensor. If they are not there, then you can start connecting the device to the car.
Often the sensor has four pins. Red is power and is connected to the wiper control system. Blue is used as a ground, it must be connected to the car body.
The remaining contacts can be of different colors and are responsible for the operation of the wipers. Their purpose and connection depends on the device manufacturer, so you should read the instructions here.
Therefore, the rain sensor is a useful element that will significantly increase driving comfort. It uses a light sensor to detect droplets. Although it is possible to make a DIY alternative, it will not be as effective as the original device. Therefore, it is better to purchase a real sensor that will work reliably in bad weather.
For a better understanding of sensor installation methods, it is recommended to watch this video. All the nuances of this process are described here, which will allow you to place this element without errors:
Many car owners consider the rain sensor to be an extra device that they can do without. To understand whether it is really necessary, it is worth learning about the features of such devices.
The described device is a device that determines the appearance of precipitation and includes wipers. Typically, the sensor also responds to light and is used to automatically turn on the headlights.
Rain sensor
This device is designed to solve several problems:
- determination of the presence of rain or snow;
- turning on the wipers when it rains;
- determination of the degree of contamination of the windshield;
- turning on the headlights if the sensor is also designed to detect the level of illumination.
The installation of the described device is carried out between the windshield and the rear-view mirror. The rain sensor is designed to create more safe conditions while driving in the city or on a busy highway. If it starts to rain or snow during heavy traffic, the driver has to make unnecessary movements to turn the wipers on and off, while distracting from the road. This contributes to a loss of attention and can lead to an accident. In addition, the device allows you to provide excellent visibility in the presence of a large number precipitation.
Rain sensors have several disadvantages:
- False or inappropriate positives. In some cases, just one drop helps turn on the wipers, although the rest of the glass remains dry. In this case, the sensor often does not work when part of the glass is flooded with water and dirt, but the drops do not fall into the device's coverage area.
- Turning on wipers without glass washer. Because of this, the dirt is smeared on the surface, causing a deterioration in visibility.
- Operation due to windshield defects. The presence of scratches and other defects on the surface may cause incorrect operation of the device.
- Response delay. In some cases, the rain sensor is triggered within 1-2 seconds after raindrops appear on the windshield.
To avoid such problems and pre-configure the sensor to desired level sensitivity, it is enough to splash water on the place where the sensor is installed. If it works correctly, it will automatic switch on janitors.
The rain sensor is fixed under the windshield on reverse side rear view mirrors. During the installation of the device, the following nuances are taken into account:
- The sensor must be located on the windshield in such a way that it does not interfere with the driver's view of the road. At the same time, it is important to install it in the area that is cleaned by the wipers during their work. Otherwise, the device may not function properly.
- There should be no cracks or other defects in the sensor location area, since the efficiency of its operation depends on this.
- Before fixing the device, you need to make sure that the wipers effectively clean the windshield and do not leave dirt.
The sensor can be installed both in a service center and independently. Moreover, it is quite easy. No special tools are required for installation.
Below we provide instructions for installing a simple rain sensor DDA-35.
First you need to "aim" - choose a place with inside windshield where the sensor will be glued. As mentioned earlier, it should not interfere with the driver's view. For beauty, it is advisable to align the place and install the sensor at the top in the middle, next to the mirror mount.
Purchased rain sensors most often come with a special cloth for wiping and degreasing glass. Thanks to this, the sensor is attached better.
If there is no such napkin in the kit, you can use any glass napkin.
Carefully wipe the place on the windshield where we will glue the rain sensor.
On the inside of the sensor, remove the protective film, thereby opening the fasteners that will hold the sensor on the glass.
After that, we apply the rain sensor to the place chosen on the glass and carefully press the device to the glass. We try to make everything work out smoothly, because we will not have a second chance. With each detachment, the holder will stick worse and worse to the surface.
We push the wire from the sensor under the upholstery of the ceiling.
If there is not enough space under the upholstery, then slightly loosen the screws securing the visor.
We remove the pad from the rack and lay the wire under it. After that, we put the lining back on.
We go below. Gently push the cable under the rack seal.
Open the fuse box different models he is in different places), and install the rain sensor in place of the wiper control relay (be sure to observe the marking and key position). If we do not know exactly where to install the relay, look in the documentation.
The rest of the cable, if necessary, can be wound up and left in the mounting block.
This completes the process of installing the rain sensor on the car. It remains to check its performance by splashing water on the windshield (with the car's ignition on, of course).
Checking the operation of the rain sensor
You can also watch a video about installing a rain sensor:
After connecting the device, the wipers can also be controlled manually. This may be necessary when moisture gets on the glass from under the wheels of the vehicle in front, which does not reach the sensor's coverage area. In this case, the driver turns on the wipers manually.
It is necessary to set up the device immediately after installation, so as not to be distracted by such actions while driving. DDA-35 has 3 operating modes - standard, rain and snow. Modes are switched by pressing a single button in turn.
Built-in rain sensors adjusted using the steering wheel switch. The power handle has 5 positions as standard (sometimes more and less). In position "0" the device is switched off. Numbers from 1 to 4 indicate the degree of sensitivity of the sensor. When you turn on the device in mode 4, it will operate in the maximum sensitivity mode. To turn off, simply turn the knob to position 0.
Rain sensor adjustable via steering column switch
The principle of operation of the rain sensor
The described device consists of an LED and several light-sensitive elements (photodiodes). The light from the LED reflects off the glass surface and returns to the photosensitive elements. If there is rain or snow on the surface, the degree of reflection changes and the sensor turns on the wipers.
The more wet the windshield, the less refracted light will be reflected. Photocells react to the change and after that the wipers turn on. That is why it can happen false alarm when insects get on the glass or if there are defects on the surface. To prevent untimely switching on of the wipers, it is enough to turn off the sensor in dry weather and install the device only on undamaged glass.
Turning on the factory rain sensor after installation is quite simple - to do this, turn the stalk lever to position from 1 to 4. Turning off occurs when the lever is switched to position 0. In case of problems with the sensor, you should not try to turn it off yourself if you do not know how to do it right.
Rain sensor setup example.
To turn on, move the stalk to position 1. Dial A must be set according to the desired sensitivity (bottom - minimum, top - maximum).
To disable the rain sensor, move the stalk to position 0.
The main mistake of many drivers is to turn off the device most in a simple way- cutting wires. Such actions can cause a malfunction of the onboard power supply control unit. If the sensor does not respond to small drops, first unscrew the knob to position 4, in which it will work in maximum sensitivity mode.
To safely disconnect the sensor, simply remove the connector from it. In this case, an error will be displayed in the on-board power supply unit. If you need to completely turn off the device, you should contact a car service.
Many rain sensors are universal and can be installed on any vehicle. All of them work on the same principle, so any driver will be able to set up the device on their own.
How much is the rain sensor
The cost of many rain sensors is about 2 thousand rubles. The price depends on the sensitivity of the device, as well as on whether the electronic relay in the car or it is removable. This depends on how the sensor is connected.
Many universal models have a cost of no more than 2 thousand rubles. Such sensors are the most common and are installed on a variety of machines. If the sensor is installed in a service center, experts select the most suitable device for the car.
Rain sensor - what it is, how it works, how to install
5 (100%) 4 votedEveryone is already accustomed to the fact that in a modern car there are a lot of things that are incomprehensible and difficult from the point of view of understanding a simple layman. Motorists are divided into two camps: those who are trying to understand the structure of "all this" and those who are indifferent to all this, because there are specialists who "know what's what" ...
Rather, I belong to the first type of people and try to at least superficially delve into the device and principle of operation of a particular node, so that in case of an unforeseen situation I have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat is happening with my car or at least understand when they try to me at the service station cheat by "selling me some kind of game" veiled under buzzwords and terms... 🙂
In my article today I want to talk about the rain sensor, which is also sometimes called the rain sensor, how it works, what it is, how it works, and about the myths that surround this device. Interesting? Then let's go!
As the name implies, the rain sensor has something to do with precipitation, namely rain. So it is, this sensor, unlike the other sensors that are stuffed with a modern car, is responsible for the timely automatic switching on of the wipers. That is, as soon as this sensor detects that there are drops on the windshield, the wiper blades immediately turn on and the glass is cleaned.
But how does this magic happen, you ask? I, and you, probably, have puzzled over this more than once and tried to explain the principle of operation of the rain sensor by the presence of some sensors that are triggered when interacting with moisture or something like that ... But in fact, everything is not so The rain sensor works in a completely different way.
Rain sensor device
As a rule, such a sensor consists of several light-sensitive elements (photodiodes) and LEDs that work in tandem. The sensor itself is a small board enclosed in a plastic case. All this economy is attached in the area of \u200b\u200bthe salon rear-view mirror, or rather in front of it. The sensor is located in the cabin and is attached to the windshield using a sealant or alternative adhesive.
How does the rain sensor work?
The principle of operation of this sensor is based on the law of refraction of light. Built-in LEDs emit infrared light that passes through the windshield and reflects off the outside of the windshield. After that, the reflected signal is captured by a photosensitive element or a photodiode, which analyzes the quality of the received signal. If the signal received by the photodetector is clear and strong, the wipers do not turn on, since the special controller "understands" that the glass is clean and there is no need to "clean". If the glass is covered with raindrops, the signal sent by the LEDs will begin to refract and return with delays and a completely different content. In this case, the controller concludes that the glass is covered with raindrops and, guided by certain algorithms, turns on the wipers at a certain frequency. The more it rains, the more the signal will scatter and the less signal the photodetector will be able to receive, therefore, the wiper blades will work more intensively. Thus, at any intensity of rain, the glass will be cleaned effectively.
The rain sensor works according to such a tricky principle. More advanced sensors are able to analyze not only precipitation, but also the degree of illumination, and, if necessary, turn on the headlights.
And now, as promised about the myths that the rain sensor is shrouded in, it is also a rain sensor.
Myth one : "The rain sensor does not work at night!". This is not true, since infrared sensors do not need light to work, and they do not depend on the degree of illumination in any way. environment. For example, let's take any control panel that works on the same technology. As we know, he doesn't care when switching channels, day or night, he works properly!
Myth two : "If you replace the windshield, you will have to say goodbye to the rain sensor!" As a rule, most automakers, if not all, when releasing windows, take into account the likelihood that you will want to install a rain sensor or you already have it installed. Therefore, special "windows" are provided on the glasses for such devices.
Myth three : "In winter, the rain sensor is useless!". Perhaps in part this is true, the sensor does not really respond to snow. But as we all know, snow, lying on the warm glass of a warm car, will certainly melt and turn into water, which the sensor can easily detect and take measures to eliminate it. If the windshield is cold, then most likely there is no one in the cabin, which means there is no need for wipers. In all other cases, the temperature in the cabin during snow will be higher than outside and the windshield will somehow be warmer than the environment, which means the snow will melt and the rain sensor will work, and with it the wipers.
I will end with this. Thanks to everyone who read to the end! I look forward to your feedback on this invention, as well as comments on the topic: “What is a rain sensor for you: fashion chip or a useful and necessary thing? All the best and see you at.
Modern cars are becoming more and more automated. The central computer controls almost everything: both fuel injection into the engine combustion chamber, and operation brake system, and airbags, when it determines the strength of the impact received by the car. touched automatic control and the operation of the wipers, as well as the hatch door, which was made possible thanks to the installation of a special rain sensor. What kind of sensor is this, how to install it on your own car and do you need to do it at all? Look for answers to all these questions in the article below.
1. Why do I need a rain sensor in a car?
The rain sensor differs from conventional sensors in that it does not only work as an electronic device with sensitive membranes. It also has an optical element capable of responding to the presence of moisture on the car glass. It is needed so that the car can automatically control the wipers and other car mechanisms that are responsible for closing the sunroof and door windows. Since it is the humidity of the atmosphere that is important to the sensor, it is installed on the windshield.
But why do all this automatically if the driver himself, seeing raindrops on the windshield, can turn on the wipers and close the windows? According to the designers, such a system can significantly increase traffic safety in cars, since no atmospheric changes can distract the driver from the road, because he will know that the car will do everything for him.
It is also worth noting that similar device is a fairly new invention, and previously it could only be found on executive car models. Today, such an innovation is becoming more accessible to ordinary car owners, and it can even be installed independently at will (separate installations are sold for this).
2. What is the working principle of the rain and light sensor?
Such a sensor consists of two main elements:
- emitter;
A small photodetector.
In order for the sensor to correctly read the weather conditions behind the windshield of the car, the electronic units of the emitter and photodetector have their own parameters for the dryness and humidity of the glass. Therefore, when a lot of raindrops appear on the glass, or dirt is smeared on it, the sensor reads this as a change in the path of refraction of sunlight rays.
This condition of the windshield surface causes a corresponding reaction of the entire rain sensor system, as a result of which the wipers automatically turn on. At the same time, the intensity of their work is even regulated: if the glass is flooded with intense downpour, the wipers will work very quickly and continuously, but if only small and lonely drops of rain, they will turn on at short intervals. The rain sensor is very sensitive, so even if a few drops of dirt get on the glass, the wipers will react almost instantly.
However, Special requirements are also imposed on the sensor:
- placed on the windshield, it should in no case close the view for the driver, otherwise it will automatically turn from a means that increases safety into a means that interferes with it;
The sensor must be located in the area of action of the brushes, that is, it should analyze exactly the area that the brushes can and should clean.
If you decide to buy a rain sensor for your car, keep in mind that its kit consists of a control unit and a relay. In this case, it will depend on the control unit whether the wipers will work at the right time or not, since it is he who reads information from the glass and gives a command to other electronic devices of the car.
It is worth noting that Putting a rain sensor on any glass will not work. The fact is that if there is at least one minor crack on the windshield, this can already serve as a reason for the sensor to turn on the washers and wipers, since it can recognize the crack as dirt on the windshield. You will also have to constantly monitor the condition of the wiper blades. The fact is that if they are worn out and clean the glass very poorly, the sensor will make them work for a very long period of time.
As for the relay block, which is also included in the rain sensor kit, this device is considered to be an executive one. It is the relay that controls the washer. But this is not the only function of the relay: thanks to this unit, the driver may not be afraid that due to a power drop, the rain sensor will burn out and fail. The relay can be located in any place convenient for the driver, but it is often mounted in such a way that it is most convenient to connect battery power to the unit.
3. How do I install the rain sensor myself?
It is most acceptable to install a new rain sensor if your car already had such a device installed, but for one reason or another you decided to replace it. If there is no such sensor on the car, then the possibility of installing it on the car must be discussed with specialists. It should be understood that in some cases the rain sensor can play a very negative role for your safety.
But if you have weighed all the pros and cons, and as a result, you still came to the decision to install such a sensor on your car, then we present for you detailed instructions doing this kind of work for two the most common models of this device – RAINsensoe (RS-22) (American production) and DDA (Russian version).
Installation features of the rain sensor RAINsensoe (RS-22)
This option is almost universal, since it can be installed on any car whose electronics operate on 12 V. In order to install it on the windshield and connect it to the electronic system, you must:
1.
Since this sensor model comes with a special holder, only the holder needs to be attached to the windshield. Often, it immediately has double-sided tape, therefore, removing protective film, the holder will simply need to be pressed to the intended place on the glass.
2. On both working areas of the body of the device, it is necessary to apply a special gel that comes with the device. It is necessary in order to equalize the refractive index of the light rays and ensure the most reliable operation of the sensor.
3. Using self-tapping screws, which should also be included in the kit, attach the sensor housing to its holder.
4. It is very important that after installation in working area there were no air bubbles between the sensor itself and the windshield that could interfere with its operation.
5. We connect the sensor to the switch of operating modes of the car wipers. You need to do this according to the following scheme:
- a blue wire is connected to the body of the car;
It is necessary to connect the red wire from the sensor to the contact "I" of the switch, having previously disconnected the yellow wire with a green stripe from it;
The wire disconnected from the “I” contact must be connected to yellow wire sensor;
We are looking for contact “53” with a blue wire on the switch block and connect the black wire from the rain sensor to it.
But keep in mind that this sensor model still needs to be adjusted to the parameters of the windshield of your car. How to do this, read the instructions for the device.
Description of the connection procedure for the rain sensor DDA
The Russian version of the rain sensor is slightly different from the one described above. In particular, when creating it, the designers tried to achieve the following goals:
- make the device as easy to manage as possible;
Ease of installation of the sensor, which will allow motorists to do it on their own without special experience;
The ability to connect the device without any intervention in the integrity electrical wiring car;
Opportunity manual control wipers in parallel with the operation of the rain sensor;
Affordable price for the Russian consumer.
It is also worth noting that the Russian rain sensor is also able to respond to the speed of the car - the lower the speed, the less the intensity of the wipers will be. However, it is still better to use such a sensor only for cars of the Russian car industry. To install such a sensor, you will need to perform the following steps:
1. The rain sensor itself must be attached to the inside of the windshield. You can attach it both with double-sided tape and with a special fixing gel.
2. In the mounting block of the car, you need to find a relay that is responsible for the operation of the wipers and the washer. This relay must be disconnected and removed from the mounting block, and in its place, install the relay block that comes with the rain sensor. When installing, it is very important to observe the necessary markings and the location of the key.
4. After the sensor is fully connected, it must be adjusted in accordance with the instructions.
4. Pros and cons of using.
Ideally, the presence of a rain sensor on the car gives the driver a lot of benefits. And first of all, the advantage of using it is that the device does not allow even a small amount of moisture to appear on the glass - it immediately activates the wipers, which remove all unnecessary. Thus, the driver always has a clear view of the road, and for this he does not need to press any levers or buttons.
But human intelligence is not inherent in an electronic device, so very often the operation of the wipers occurs arbitrarily, which, on the contrary, can very much annoy the driver while driving. Due to the high sensitivity of the rain sensor, it can work even if air bubbles just appeared on the windshield, or someone left a fingerprint.
Only a thorough washing of the windshield of the car will help to cope with the false activation of the sensor. In addition, you can also try to reduce the sensitivity of the sensor to this kind of "irritants" by adjusting it.
It is also worth mentioning that there are a lot of myths among motorists, because of which a slightly wrong idea has formed about this device. It concerns the following functions:
1. Many motorists do not install a rain sensor on their car for the reason that they believe that supposedly it is not able to function in the dark. Actually, it is not. The sensor receives information about whether there is dirt on the windshield thanks to infrared rays, so the degree of illumination does not affect the operation of the rain sensor in any way.
2. There is a myth that the rain sensor cannot be used on tinted glass. This is also incorrect. The only caveat in installing a rain sensor on tinted glass is that a small hole must be made in the tinting film specifically for the device, which will not even be noticeable outwardly.
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The statement that it is generally better to turn off the sensor in winter is also mythical. In winter, the rain sensor does work a little worse, since such a device, first of all, is configured to remove raindrops from the glass, not snowflakes. However, if an additional glass heating device is installed, the operation of the rain sensor in winter during snowfall will be as effective as in summer during heavy rain.
4. If for one reason or another you need to replace the windshield, this does not mean at all that you will have to buy a new rain sensor and reconnect it to the wipers and to the new glass.
If the old sensor worked properly before the glass was replaced, then it can be easily rearranged to a new one. At the same time, new glass can be purchased with a special window for installing the sensor. It is also worth noting that in the event of a failure of the sensor itself, only the device will need to be changed; this procedure will not affect the windshield in any way.
5. Another myth about rain sensors is that this device breaks down very quickly and for this reason you constantly have to buy a new sensor. Such a statement is again erroneous, although it has some grounds. The reason for the failure of the sensor may be its contamination: if a lot of condensate and dust have accumulated on its surface, they simply need to be removed, and the sensor will resume its work.
Thus, a properly installed sensor makes it possible to significantly increase the safety of driving, since it relieves the driver of the responsibility for turning on / off the washers and wipers, as well as adjusting the position of the windows in the car doors and in the hatch opening.
