Project "Melt Snow" - Snow / Ice Buildup on Headlights & Bumper Solution (DIY Writeup)

[jahansolu]

Hello Folks,

The time has come for me to post my build of installing a successful, yet prototype, "contraption" of melting snow on bumper. This will prevent the snow from building up and blocking the headlights.
Please keep in mind that this is just a prototype. In terms of functionality: it works. I live in Canada, so I apologize for my Canadian links, however I'm sure equivalents can be found.

Before listing the materials, everything is 48V compatible and can be controlled from the "Front Outlet" toggle inside the vehicle. Gone are those days of having to get out to clear the snow, I tested on Cyprus Mountain in West Vancouver, BC.

*** NOTE: I am not nor will be responsible or liable for any issues. Do NOT keep "Front Outlet" on for longer than 5 Minutes. Only use when visibility of headlights has degraded. ***

Parts:
- 18 Gauge Wire 2 Conductor Electrical Wire, 18 AWG Wire Stranded PVC Cord, 12V Low Voltage/Tinned Copper/Flexible/18/2 Wire for Automotive Wire LED Strips Lamp Lighting Marine (30FT-9.1M)
- Heat Resistant Acrylic Double Sided Tape Removable(Residue Free)/Heavy Duty/Weather-resistant/Clear Sticker for Car/Cell Phone Touch Screen Repair/Household(10 m×10 mm×1 mm)
- Motoforti Universal DC 12V- 48V 15Amp Car Circuit Breaker, with Manual Reset Inline Fuse Holder Protector, Durable, Metal, Black, 2pcs, Circuit Breaker - Amazon Canada
- 1~20 Meters 12V 24V 36V 48V DC Self-regulating Heating Cable Low Voltage Heat Trace Cable for Freeze Protection <<<<---- MAKE SURE TO ORDER 2 Metres (6.5 or more feet) and 48V!

Installation:
Red+Blue = Positive (+) Connection
Brown+Blue = Negative (-) Connection
(The polarity doesn't matter when connecting to the Heating Cable)
*Note: If you want to play it cautious, you're more than welcome to install fuse / circuit breaker though it's not necessary as the vehicle has its own*
Front Trunk at 48V with 500W max draw = 10.41 amps <-- hence the 15 amp (optional breaker)
It won't be using 10.41 amps as that's the max - so don't fret.
There's no need to disconnect the 48V or HV battery while working. Only make sure the Frunk Outlet slider/toggle is off - that's all.
*** WARNING: Do NOT wire the Heating Cable inside the Frunk. Use the 18 AWG extension cable to wire from 48V connectors, then feed through the side, as shown in the picture, then connect to the Heating cable which will run the span from driver side headlight to passenger. Do not forget to connect the (orange) cap to prevent any electrical short or arching. ***

Here's how you take the frunk liner out:
Remove Funk Liner To Access 48V
In the same video at the 7:24 mark of the video they also talk about the 48V wiring.

I will post my pictures of what mine looks like - Sorry the pics are not in order. If I find there are more questions than answers, then I will try my best to follow up with either a video or detailed post on this. However, I truly think it's pretty self-explanatory. It's a shame plans fell through with TesStudio as my hope was to create an easy to bundle package with everything a person needs in one box.

Merry (Early) Christmas Guys and Gals!

Sponsored

 

[mjezzi]

I would buy a kit if you made one.

 

[Crissa]

Wow, this looks good. Not sure how well it'll work, but good luck trying to test it!

When you can get some video/animatic of snow melting, that'd really show it's working!

-Crissa

 

[loganthefrst]

Good lord, guys.

 

[MyOtherTruck]

Sucks we need to resort to this

 

[HaulingAss]

Sucks we need to resort to this

Ummm, you don't HAVE to resort to this. It's optional. I have always manually removed snow and ice on all my cars as needed during heavy snow events at night. My Volvo S80 T-6 even had headlight wipers and sprayers but even those were not sufficient during the nastiest weather.

I applaud the ingenuity, but I will guarantee there are conditions where manual removal will still work better. In really cold conditions added heat can create it's own set of problems because the melted snow will refreeze in undesirable ways (depending upon driving speeds, winds, temperatures, etc.)

 

[dalton108]

Ummm, you don't HAVE to resort to this. It's optional. I have always manually removed snow and ice on all my cars as needed during heavy snow events at night. My Volvo S80 T-6 even had headlight wipers and sprayers but even those were not sufficient during the nastiest weather.

I applaud the ingenuity, but I will guarantee there are conditions where manual removal will still work better. In really cold conditions added heat can create it's own set of problems because the melted snow will refreeze in undesirable ways (depending upon driving speeds, winds, temperatures, etc.)

I just loved my S60! Can’t remember single situation where I needed to use the wipers but I loved that they were there.

 

[Incense]

Excellent. Really appreciate the ingenuity.

 

[jahansolu]

Wow, this looks good. Not sure how well it'll work, but good luck trying to test it!

When you can get some video/animatic of snow melting, that'd really show it's working!

-Crissa

Once it starts snowing again, I will post a video of it in action.

 

[TruckinCyberStyle]

Hello Folks,

The time has come for me to post my build of installing a successful, yet prototype, "contraption" of melting snow on bumper. This will prevent the snow from building up and blocking the headlights.
Please keep in mind that this is just a prototype. In terms of functionality: it works. I live in Canada, so I apologize for my Canadian links, however I'm sure equivalents can be found.

Before listing the materials, everything is 48V compatible and can be controlled from the "Front Outlet" toggle inside the vehicle. Gone are those days of having to get out to clear the snow, I tested on Cyprus Mountain in West Vancouver, BC.

*** NOTE: I am not nor will be responsible or liable for any issues. Do NOT keep "Front Outlet" on for longer than 5 Minutes. Only use when visibility of headlights has degraded. ***

Parts:
- 18 Gauge Wire 2 Conductor Electrical Wire, 18 AWG Wire Stranded PVC Cord, 12V Low Voltage/Tinned Copper/Flexible/18/2 Wire for Automotive Wire LED Strips Lamp Lighting Marine (30FT-9.1M)
- Heat Resistant Acrylic Double Sided Tape Removable(Residue Free)/Heavy Duty/Weather-resistant/Clear Sticker for Car/Cell Phone Touch Screen Repair/Household(10 m×10 mm×1 mm)
- Motoforti Universal DC 12V- 48V 15Amp Car Circuit Breaker, with Manual Reset Inline Fuse Holder Protector, Durable, Metal, Black, 2pcs, Circuit Breaker - Amazon Canada
- 1~20 Meters 12V 24V 36V 48V DC Self-regulating Heating Cable Low Voltage Heat Trace Cable for Freeze Protection <<<<---- MAKE SURE TO ORDER 2 Metres (6.5 or more feet) and 48V!

Installation:
Red+Blue = Positive (+) Connection
Brown+Blue = Negative (-) Connection
(The polarity doesn't matter when connecting to the Heating Cable)
*Note: If you want to play it cautious, you're more than welcome to install fuse / circuit breaker though it's not necessary as the vehicle has its own*
Front Trunk at 48V with 500W max draw = 10.41 amps <-- hence the 15 amp (optional breaker)
It won't be using 10.41 amps as that's the max - so don't fret.
There's no need to disconnect the 48V or HV battery while working. Only make sure the Frunk Outlet slider/toggle is off - that's all.
*** WARNING: Do NOT wire the Heating Cable inside the Frunk. Use the 18 AWG extension cable to wire from 48V connectors, then feed through the side, as shown in the picture, then connect to the Heating cable which will run the span from driver side headlight to passenger. Do not forget to connect the (orange) cap to prevent any electrical short or arching. ***

Here's how you take the frunk liner out:
Remove Funk Liner To Access 48V
In the same video at the 7:24 mark of the video they also talk about the 48V wiring.

I will post my pictures of what mine looks like - Sorry the pics are not in order. If I find there are more questions than answers, then I will try my best to follow up with either a video or detailed post on this. However, I truly think it's pretty self-explanatory. It's a shame plans fell through with TesStudio as my hope was to create an easy to bundle package with everything a person needs in one box.

Merry (Early) Christmas Guys and Gals!

A clever approach to mitigate this issue!

 

[tingmo13]

what about Global Warming & Climate Change?

 

[bosshog]

i agree totally sucks to have to do this . Just to be able to drive in winter snowy conditions .

 

[Crissa]

what about Global Warming & Climate Change?

Well, that's why I don't need it, but apparently random west coast storms are back after being absent for most of the last century. And mountains exist.

-Crissa

 

[cybergriz]

Hello Folks,

The time has come for me to post my build of installing a successful, yet prototype, "contraption" of melting snow on bumper. This will prevent the snow from building up and blocking the headlights.
Please keep in mind that this is just a prototype. In terms of functionality: it works. I live in Canada, so I apologize for my Canadian links, however I'm sure equivalents can be found.

Before listing the materials, everything is 48V compatible and can be controlled from the "Front Outlet" toggle inside the vehicle. Gone are those days of having to get out to clear the snow, I tested on Cyprus Mountain in West Vancouver, BC.

*** NOTE: I am not nor will be responsible or liable for any issues. Do NOT keep "Front Outlet" on for longer than 5 Minutes. Only use when visibility of headlights has degraded. ***

Parts:
- 18 Gauge Wire 2 Conductor Electrical Wire, 18 AWG Wire Stranded PVC Cord, 12V Low Voltage/Tinned Copper/Flexible/18/2 Wire for Automotive Wire LED Strips Lamp Lighting Marine (30FT-9.1M)
- Heat Resistant Acrylic Double Sided Tape Removable(Residue Free)/Heavy Duty/Weather-resistant/Clear Sticker for Car/Cell Phone Touch Screen Repair/Household(10 m×10 mm×1 mm)
- Motoforti Universal DC 12V- 48V 15Amp Car Circuit Breaker, with Manual Reset Inline Fuse Holder Protector, Durable, Metal, Black, 2pcs, Circuit Breaker - Amazon Canada
- 1~20 Meters 12V 24V 36V 48V DC Self-regulating Heating Cable Low Voltage Heat Trace Cable for Freeze Protection <<<<---- MAKE SURE TO ORDER 2 Metres (6.5 or more feet) and 48V!

Installation:
Red+Blue = Positive (+) Connection
Brown+Blue = Negative (-) Connection
(The polarity doesn't matter when connecting to the Heating Cable)
*Note: If you want to play it cautious, you're more than welcome to install fuse / circuit breaker though it's not necessary as the vehicle has its own*
Front Trunk at 48V with 500W max draw = 10.41 amps <-- hence the 15 amp (optional breaker)
It won't be using 10.41 amps as that's the max - so don't fret.
There's no need to disconnect the 48V or HV battery while working. Only make sure the Frunk Outlet slider/toggle is off - that's all.
*** WARNING: Do NOT wire the Heating Cable inside the Frunk. Use the 18 AWG extension cable to wire from 48V connectors, then feed through the side, as shown in the picture, then connect to the Heating cable which will run the span from driver side headlight to passenger. Do not forget to connect the (orange) cap to prevent any electrical short or arching. ***

Here's how you take the frunk liner out:
Remove Funk Liner To Access 48V
In the same video at the 7:24 mark of the video they also talk about the 48V wiring.

I will post my pictures of what mine looks like - Sorry the pics are not in order. If I find there are more questions than answers, then I will try my best to follow up with either a video or detailed post on this. However, I truly think it's pretty self-explanatory. It's a shame plans fell through with TesStudio as my hope was to create an easy to bundle package with everything a person needs in one box.

Merry (Early) Christmas Guys and Gals!

I love you!

 

[Deleted member 17810]

You'd think the hi tech cybertruck would have heated elements in the recessed led headlights.

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