Power Window Tech Tip

Was at a shop yesterday doing a story on power windows, and found a pretty good tech tip:
When you're wiring up power windows, run them to a hot lead that IS NOT switched. This way you can run the windows up or down anytime, not just when the key is on.
It's still fused, so it's safe if something does short at some point.
Most of us just go to a switched hot lead out of habit, but there's no reason to with the windows.
-Brad

 

I'd bet the main reason for manufacturers to go to an ignition/accessory switch source of power is to keep kids from getting hurt.

There were choking incidents back in the day and you still hear about them.

 

I vaguely remember I think it was a 50's Tbird was wired that way?
It's a security risk too.
All ya need is a stiff piece of wire and wiggle it in a door jamb and push/pull the switch and the car is open...
But that coud be a plus if you locked your keys inside!

As for kids getting hurt...
The Darwin principle says that kid was gonna get hurt anyway, some how....

 

Does that drain you power? or cause electrical issues? I have some original power windows on my 57 and evven with the engine on those motors drain power and the go somewhat slow.

 

Most new cars have the feature where the radio and windows will continue to operate after the key has been turned off, they are disabled only after a door is opened.

 

[ QUOTE ]
It's a security risk too.
All ya need is a stiff piece of wire and wiggle it in a door jamb and push/pull the switch and the car is open...
But that coud be a plus if you locked your keys inside!

[/ QUOTE ]

Locked my keys in a modern car with power windows and locks a couple years ago. After trying for an hour or two to get in my self, called AAA. The second person they sent got smart and used the fancy special bent wire to operate the lock ****on instead of fighting to get the door handle.

 

I don't know about the security risk factor: Seems like if someone's gonna break in the car or steal it, they aren't gonna waste time with a coat hanger trying to hit the window toggle switch. Not any more than they'll try to hook a wire loop around the head of the door lock knob.
Smash a window, or slam through the door lock with a screwdriver. At least that what they've done to my cars in the past (*******s)

Power drain? Electricity has to go somewhere for it to leak and kill the battery. Something has to be on or lit or whatever. If the power window switch is open, then the motor isn't using juice. Don't know about the old-style ch***is ground lifts, though. Think of it like a light switch in your house--if the switch is open, the room is dark and you're not using electricty. Close the switch (ON) and the bulb lights up and you're using electricity.

Safety issue is a good point, though. Hadn't thought of that.
Then again, a kid playing in the car in the driveway is also in danger of shutting himself inside it, slamming his hands in the door, knocking it out of gear and rolling down the driveway, etc. Not trying to justify my point for the hot lead, just saying an unsupervised kid can get hurt in a car a lot of ways.

Now, wiring the radio to un-switched hot would kill the battery the first time the radio is on but the volume is off and you don't know it's using electricity.

-Brad