Log in

View Full Version : HotShots

Dan D 2
10-29-2008, 03:19 AM
Was going to purchase one before the winter but found out the company went bankrupt due to a major recall from GM....I guess the units can catch fire:crying: .
E-bay has some but really don't want to put something that can catch fire on my truck.
Canadian Tire used to have a similar unit for sale but I can no longer find it on their site. I'm still looking for one on their site though...

Anybody know of another manufacture that offers a heated windshield washer system?
OrangeCrush
10-29-2008, 03:43 AM
Was going to purchase one before the winter but found out the company went bankrupt due to a major recall from GM....I guess the units can catch fire:crying: .
E-bay has some but really don't want to put something that can catch fire on my truck.
Canadian Tire used to have a similar unit for sale but I can no longer find it on their site. I'm still looking for one on their site though...

Anybody know of another manufacture that offers a heated windshield washer system?

I wonder if it was a few isolated incidents. I had one in my H2 for the last 3 years and used it many times and never had a problem.

If I can get my hands on one for my new H2, I'm buying another one.

Mark
Cazador
10-29-2008, 03:05 PM
How good are you with electronics? All GM is doing for the recall is adding a wiring harness with an inline fuse. I would think instructions could be had from a tech and the necessary components purchased/assembled and installed DIY.

I'm thinking of doing this myself.
Intercooled
10-30-2008, 12:23 AM
I have the system and have yet to use it,( bought it used 6 months ago) I'm hopefull it works good considering I live here in NH. I just got the recall notice to have the inline fuse installed. Gm said parts wont be available until early NOV. I'll be taking it in soon.
mikejr
11-02-2008, 02:42 AM
when i was last at the dealer they pulled the fuse from the heated washer system so it could not be used until they got the updated wiring harness. I didnt have any issues with the system and used it frequently. Its great for clearing off the bugs in the summer.
blackhawk29
11-02-2008, 04:57 PM
i installed one on my 08' H2 and it worked great for a while, then it started going crazy and shooting hot steam at the windshield at random. Then one day it finally went nuts... hot steam came out of the washer nozzles, from under the hood, and it burned up the nozzles and the lines ! Now the washers don't work at all....i thought the truck was on fire ! which would not be a bad thing these days considering the re sale value.....:crying:
NJ H2
11-04-2008, 01:52 PM
I've had it installed for 4 years with no problems. When installing just make sure you have a good ground or it may not work properly.
timgco
11-04-2008, 10:50 PM
As far as I know, there is no solltuion to date. They told us to pull the fuse in our Tahoe and told us the comapny had gone bankrupt after the massive recall.

We have had no issues so far.
johndjmix1
11-05-2008, 08:45 AM
Many people have a much cheaper, and....I consider better, solution. Lengthen the lines that go between the squirters and the pump and wrap them around a coolant hose. Some use copper to do this. From what I hear it works awesome, and is more efficent and simple since you arent introducing additional electrical load and more components to fail.

--John
[__--MUD--__]
11-06-2008, 03:45 AM
Whole point of the system is to have instant clearing of snow/ice on windshield. If you need to wait for the engine to warm up so you could squirt your fluid, might as well gotten your lazy ass up and scrapped the windshield in the first place.

I dont see anyone needing the heated fluid after your already up to running temp...windshields gonna be warm at that point.
Dan D 2
11-06-2008, 04:03 AM
Well, I bought a unit from JC Whitney. I've bought some good stuff from them before and I've also bought some junk...We'll see. Looks like it's pretty decent quality. Pretty easy install, system automatically detects the flow of washer fluid so there's no switch that needs to be installed anywhere's. I'll take some pics of the system and post after install.
johndjmix1
11-06-2008, 04:42 AM
MUD: I guess you have never driven in really cold weather...i mean really cold, like in the mtns of wyoming or colorado. Even with the defrost on full blast the wipers and window can ice up. Heated fluid solves that issue, thats the main use for it I was thinking of.

--John
[__--MUD--__]
11-07-2008, 04:22 AM
yea.. our michigan winters arn't **** ;)
Dan D 2
11-16-2008, 02:08 AM
Ok, here's the kit

http://www.imagetex.com/albums/userpics/10048/Img_0290.jpg

Here's where I mounted it

http://www.imagetex.com/albums/userpics/10048/Img_0292.jpg

and here's a pic with it all hooked up

http://www.imagetex.com/albums/userpics/10048/Img_0293.jpg

As soon as we get a hard frost, maybe this coming week, I'll try it out and update everyone.
[__--MUD--__]
11-16-2008, 04:42 AM
ahhh... You have one of the kits that are prone to catching on fire... You can tell by the fuse size. The updated kits have a huge fuse on it like what you'd see run for a stereo amp.

http://auctionsound.s3.amazonaws.com/clients/auctionittoday/inventory/63507/1226435957.8951.jpg

Wasn't that the kit on ebay like 2 weeks back. Not many going through there anymore.

EDIT: Never mind, that one isn't made by microheat...
timgco
11-16-2008, 05:29 AM
Our Tahoe parts (NEw HArness) will be in next week. I'll get pics and see if I can get a part number as well. You should be able to use it with that kit you just bought.
Dan D 2
11-16-2008, 05:10 PM
Yeah I did not buy the "HotShots" from Microheat. Instead I bought a kit from JC Whitney. We'll see how it works out.
NewHummerGuy
11-16-2008, 05:46 PM
MUD: I guess you have never driven in really cold weather...i mean really cold, like in the mtns of wyoming or colorado. Even with the defrost on full blast the wipers and window can ice up. Heated fluid solves that issue, thats the main use for it I was thinking of.

--John

Also MUD do you drive an H2 and if so have you ever driven in snow?? The windshields being almost flat cause the snow to not slide up and over roof like more slanted windshields so it slides down and clumps on the blades and if really cold then refreezes. It sucks.
[__--MUD--__]
11-16-2008, 07:56 PM
Yea, michigans lake effect snow just must be different from everyone elses snow ;)

Maybe I never had this issue becuase I rain-x the crap out of my windshield and nothing ever sticks to it...I use the rain-x washer fluid also.
NewHummerGuy
11-16-2008, 08:20 PM
']Yea, michigans lake effect snow just must be different from everyone elses snow ;)

Maybe I never had this issue becuase I rain-x the crap out of my windshield and nothing ever sticks to it...I use the rain-x washer fluid also.

Well this winter i will try the rainx to see if it helps. Maybe spray some Pam as well :)
[__--MUD--__]
11-16-2008, 09:31 PM
Yeah I did not buy the "HotShots" from Microheat. Instead I bought a kit from JC Whitney. We'll see how it works out.

So there is no switch on this unit? It just heats as long as the ignition is on?
Dan D 2
11-17-2008, 03:29 AM
']So there is no switch on this unit? It just heats as long as the ignition is on?

It starts to heat as soon as it senses washer fluid flowing. You might waste a bit more fluid but as long as the windshield stays clean I'm all for it.