This is one cool mod! I can't believe I never heard of it till now.

I have the AlphaTherm Windshield Washer Heater on our JK and it heats the washer fluid to 135°F. It has never cracked the glass or caused chips to start cracks in the glass.. Whats causes my glass to crack is rocks from semi tires..

This thing works in the winter and just as well as the summer! In the summer it removes bug guts like nothing else. As for the winter I never have to worry about my wiper blades icing up anymore.

The only downfall is it's $120.00ea. But for me it was free! It was a 2009 Christmas present! Still works perfect and I would definitely buy another if it ever fails.

 

i dont think my mod will get it to 135.. thats cool they actually make that aftermarket unit.. quite pricey though.. im into mine for under 10$

 

Call me cheap, thrifty, smart or whatever, but I like the $10 solution

 

Take a look at JC Whitney if you want a dedicated heating unit for the fluid. They sell it for $40, probably less with some of the coupons they send out. I had it in my shopping cart and ready to buy until I saw this thread. I'm going to try the wrap around the radiator hose instead to save space under the hood for whatever future upgrades may require the space.

 

i am gonna try to measure the temp of the fluid coming out of mine. i would think though when driving, especially in the winter, the air temp will cool it quite a few degrees before it hits the glass...
i can tell from how well it cleans and how quick it dries when its "warm" though..

one other thing. the upper rad hose is alot cooler than the heater core hoses because the hot engine coolant FIRST goes to the heater core. even if u grab the hoses with your hand u can feel quite a difference in temp.

 

Figured I'd update this. I still am running the setup and no issues. It defiantly helps to melt ice!

 

I can definitely use that mod here in Jersey during our winters

 

I wonder how warm copper tube coiled around one of the cats would get it.

 

Copper tubing around a cat might just get hot enough to actually boil the wiper fluid. Super hot steam plus frozen windshield might just equal a trip to the local glass shop.
We used to run the wiper hose around radiator hoses in CJs (when the washer pumps worked) and it worked just fine. Hadn't had a reason to do it here in sunny and warm Louisiana just yet and probably won't.
Put a little windex in your fluid. It acts as a sort of antifreeze and can help keep the fluid from freezing on your windshield...or just put a little antifreeze in it. Ground crews use the same sort of solution to deice aircraft before takeoff.

 

I kinda feel bad, I laughed when I read the title of this post because yesterday I was complaining about it raining and being 60 degrees and cursing because it wasn't sunny and 77 like the day before. Then realized there are people still figuring new ways to melt ice. Sorry guys and gals for being inconsiderate!