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View Full Version : Defroster wiring help needed



Demon I Am
09-30-2015, 11:22 AM
So my NB is wired for Defrost. I have these cute little piggies coming out near the Rollbar:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5789/21652012390_b77e37a923_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yZjdWs)pigs (https://flic.kr/p/yZjdWs) by Tony Driver (https://www.flickr.com/photos/demoniam/), on Flickr

The soft top I installed was purchased second-hand. It is a vinyl, glass window with defrost, and zip-out... almost a unicorn.

On installation, I find that this is how the glass looks. There are 2 nodes soldered onto the window, but no wiring to connect to those nodes.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5727/21653182229_75a5920fb2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yZqdG6)nodes (https://flic.kr/p/yZqdG6) by Tony Driver (https://www.flickr.com/photos/demoniam/), on Flickr

I would like to be able to use the defroster. If I get it done, I want it done correctly. My options are to either figure out who the top manufacturer is, and see if they have a source for the wiring, or homebrew myself a harness. I'm pretty sure the latter will be the easiest and cheapest, but I need guidance in making sure it is done correctly. I want to make sure that it can be disconnected easily during the Hard-top months. My hard top is an early model with no defrost, so that will make the job a little easier. I also want it to look as stock as possible. I hate hacking into wiring unless it is necessary and easy to revert.

Can anyone get me a pic of the Soft-top connector, from the window, to the harness plugs?



Is this really going to be as simple as:
1. Cut off pigtail connectors
2. Add extra wiring as needed
3. Add spade connectors to connect to the nodes
4. Make it look stock by using Heat Shrink and soldered connections

I tried fitting some of those generic spade connectors to the nodes, but those things are super thick, and the connector would not slide on.

Thanks for any help!

revlimiter
09-30-2015, 11:31 AM
That's how the OEM wiring connects to the defroster - tab disconnects (or quick disconnects). The hardtop and soft top both have the same kind of male tab you have on your window. The factory pigtail just clips on.

I *think* you have the right connectors. I'm not totally sure from the pix, but they look like the ones in my NB. Do they not just clip on?

As far as I know, there's no polarity on the defroster. So which wire goes to which tab shouldn't matter.

Demon I Am
09-30-2015, 12:12 PM
No, the pigtails have very small, almost pin-sized slots, where the tabs are thick and wide. That's why I thought there was some piece missing. Maybe the top is from an NA instead of an NB? Not sure if that part of the wiring would be different or not?

kung fu jesus
09-30-2015, 06:52 PM
The top I got from R Speed for the 10ae had those connector already on them. Shouldn't be anything terribly hard to make, I suspect.