The best manufacturers of power windows
Content
Mechanical devices for controlling windows have long been “morally obsolete”. For convenience and traffic safety, an electric window regulator should be installed on the Gazelle and other trucks or cars.
Mechanical devices for controlling windows have long been “morally obsolete”. For convenience and traffic safety, an electric window regulator should be installed on the Gazelle and other trucks or cars.
Description and principle of operation of power windows
The principle of operation of power windows differs in the type of drive.
Mechanical
Outdated models, are set in motion manually. The advantages of this design:
- low price;
- work without the use of electricity;
- confidence that the glass will not spontaneously open and close without the knowledge of the driver.
The principle of operation of window regulators
Cons and inconveniences of this type of lifts:
- the driver needs to be distracted by turning the handle when the car is moving;
- to lower or raise the glass, you need to apply physical effort;
- mechanical devices operate slowly, which is inconvenient in case of unexpected rain or strong wind.
The main drawback is that it is impossible to block the windows with one movement, protecting children or pets in the car.
electrical
Power windows are installed on most modern cars, they consist of the following elements:
- a control unit that converts commands from buttons or an alarm key fob into signals understandable to the lifting mechanism system;
- drive module, consisting of an electric motor, worm and gear drives;
- lifting mechanism, which is located inside the door and performs mechanical work to move the glass.
Power window control buttons are located on each of the doors. But the driver can control any of them, as well as block the operation of the mechanism to protect small children or pets.
Power window control buttons
Also, automatic devices protect the car from theft - they cannot be hacked mechanically, unlike vintage models. For example, the Granat electric window regulator for a car is distinguished by a reliable and trouble-free drive.
Additional features
Additional functions of electrical mechanisms:
- one touch - auto-up of window glass, launched by one short press of a button;
- auto closure - an automatic closer that closes the windows of the car when the car is set to alarm;
- the ability to control the movement of windows from the alarm key fob;
- anti-pinch - opening a window if an obstacle is found in its path (to protect against accidental pinching), as well as in case of a car accident.
Extended power windows will provide the driver and passengers with comfort and safety.
The best manufacturers of power windows
The price of the lifting mechanism depends on its quality; you should not save on such an important detail. A window that has not been opened or, conversely, closed in time can become an obstacle to movement or harm the health of children or animals. And open windows in the parking lot will give car thieves or robbers access to the car.
Budget class
Budget no-name window regulators and accessories for them can be bought at car parsing, in online spare parts stores, or ordered on Aliexpress. For example, a “nameless” mechanism for one door on a VAZ or Gazelle of any model can be purchased online for only 300-400 rubles.
Budget power windows
When buying a device from a nameless manufacturer, you should carefully inspect it to make sure that the drive material and electrical circuits are reliable.
Middle class
Manufacturers of power windows for a middle-class car costing from 2000 rubles per pair (left and right) for the front or rear door:
- "Forward" is a domestic company that produces rack and pinion windows with additional guides for installing glass without distortions. The company is engaged in the manufacture of mechanisms for the domestic auto industry, as well as for many popular models of foreign cars. The rigid rail design helps the glass move smoothly, silently and at a steady speed, but its plastic parts wear out and wear out quickly.
- The "Garnet" window lifter for the car is also rack-and-pinion gear type, or with a wheel drive. The company produces both universal lifting mechanisms and models for most brands of passenger cars or trucks in Russia, as well as for old or inexpensive foreign cars. A simple and strong rack mechanism without fragile parts does not wear out for a long time, it works stably and smoothly, but the flexible rack can sometimes vibrate when moving. Wheeled devices are easy to install, but their glass lifting speed is uneven: slower from above than from below.
- Katran is a Russian company from Izhevsk, in the catalog of which you can find a window regulator for Gazelle Next, Barguzin, Sobol or other modifications of GAZ cars, starting from 1994, as well as for almost all models of Russian automotive industry.
- SPAL is a manufacturer of universal power windows suitable for most modern cars.
- LIFT-TEK is an Italian company that for 35 years has been developing and manufacturing only window regulators, both universal and for specific car brands.
Branded power windows for a car are not cheap, but by purchasing them, you can be sure of the reliability of the mechanism and additionally receive a guarantee from the manufacturer or store.
Premium class
The most expensive and high-quality power windows are produced by large automakers for specific models of their cars.
Premium power windows
You can buy them at a price of 5 to 10 thousand for a mechanism for one window, depending on the brand of car.
Installation recommendations
To install a new window regulator on a Gazelle or a passenger car, you need:
- Remove the plugs from the inner surface of the door and disassemble its trim.
- Thoroughly clean the area from dust and dirt.
- Unscrew and remove the old mechanism.
- Check how evenly and smoothly the glass moves: if it is not skewed and the guides are not damaged, then the glass should fall completely under its own weight and be easily raised with two fingers.
- Raise the glass up to the stop and fix it.
- Insert a new lifting mechanism into the holes in the door and fix it with the screws that come with the device.
- Pull the wiring through the holes and connect the contacts and power according to the instructions for the power windows.
- If necessary, secure the structure with silicone grease or cable ties.
- Before assembling the door, make sure that the moving parts of the lift do not catch the wiring.
- Check how smoothly and accurately the glass moves, assemble the door trim and install the plugs.
When choosing a lifting mechanism, you need to pay attention to its compatibility with the machine, the power of the motor, the speed and smoothness of lifting, and additional options. Universal models are inferior in quality to brand-specific lifts.
