Front Window demister

[Deszy]

Hi there,

I have a 1973 Gt beetle. Where I live it rains a lot and can get very cold during winter which can lead to poor visibility. My idea is to mount a 12v electric heater under the bonnet so that heat can get up onto the windshield. This will be wired to a cig lighter and will have a switch under the dash to turn it on and off. The fresh air box doesn't work and never has and the bonnet doesn't have the vents above the fresh air box to let the fresh air in. Would it be possible to take out the fresh air box and direct the heat from the heater into the hoses for the fresh air box and onto the windshield?
Has anyone had any success with a similar idea?

[flyboat]

Take the fresh air box and controls out and go thru them. Start from the rear with good heater boxes and controls, good insulation under the rear seat. No holes in the heater channels and you should get good heat to the front. the control cables and flappers need to fully open and close to achieve reasonable heat to the windshield.

I wouldn't put in a heater that worked on 12 volts. It might be too much for the 12 volt system on the bug. Better off making sure the system is up to snuff and add a booster fan.
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79 super Vert
62 Ragtop Bug
66 tintop Westy
Porsche 914
09 Z06 Vette track car

[alikatcraig]

You can fit a VW bug electric fan fresh air box. Will only blow whatever heat comes from your heat exchangers, but is stock VW and works great. Time to check your heating system I think - it should clear the screen pretty well if everything works as VW intended. If you have ever sat in a new bug with heating on screen you would find your eyes drying up. There are also electric front windscreens available.
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1967 Ghia
1971 Deluxe Microbus
1974 Convertible Bug
1973 Standard Bug
1998 Mexican Bug