Features of electronic tinting of car glass

Electric tinting a detailed description and comparison.

With the introduction of the ban on toning the front windows of the car all do not like driving in an “aquarium” began to look for a way to use toning in such a way that would remain unpunished by the employees of the traffic police. Now on the market there are many ways to solve this problem, and we will consider and compare a few of them. Many pass off as electric tinting with double glazing, connected to the independent electric elevators, which is fundamentally wrong. So what is electronic tinting? Electronic tinting is a technology that allows the glass or film to change its transparency depending on the voltage applied to it. The higher the voltage, the more transparent the glass or film becomes. Below we will look at three options in more detail:

– Electronic tinting SPD technology – Monochrome tinting PDLC technology – Dual glass tinting – “electro-toning”.1. Electronic tinting SPD technology

SPD technology is native to the United States. This technology is patented by the American company Research Frontier. Producer of Cromolite automotive glass is an American company AGP, which bought the patent for the use of SPD technology.SPD electronic tinting technology video:

At the moment there is no production of such glass in Russia, so all the glass is supplied only from the manufacturer. Control unit, aka controller for management, you can connect directly to the onboard computer with a touch screen control panel and manage it with a tinted Vario Plus. This solution is really original especially because Vario Plus panes are used instead of original glass and are made according to VIN numbers, so there are no mistakes in dimensions and it is the most complete solution of adjustable toning at the moment. More technical details you can find on page Glasses Cromolite. Now about the application. One of the well-known Mercedes brand already uses Vario Plus glass in its “top” models of cars as an option. The same technology is used in architectural glass, for installation on yachts, boats, vehicles and in the military industry. The scope is very large, and most importantly it is an exclusive product of the highest quality with a guarantee from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, at the moment, from payment to receipt of the glass is one and a half to two months, but a product of this quality can wait.

2. Monochrome tinting PDLC technology

PDLC technology was developed, patented and introduced by the Korean company DM DISPLAY. DM DISPLAY produces monochrome film of two types: simple Smart film and adhesive-based film Smart Glass, and already in Russia it is used to produce triplex glass Smart Glass. It is this adhesive-based film that began to be used for tinting cars. Now let us briefly explain how a PDLC film works. The film consists of two layers, between which is a liquid crystal layer. At rest the molecules of the crystals are chaotically placed relative to each other and the light cannot pass through the film and the glass looks dull. When a voltage is applied to the film, an electric field is created that arranges the crystals along the lines of tension and light begins to pass through the film or glass made using this film. To learn more about the principles of operation and characteristics of monochrome Smart Glass film, click on the following link Smart Magic Film. Monochrome tinting PDLC video technology:

To apply voltage to the film or glass requires mounting two copper contacts to the film using silver paste. Then two wires are soldered and connected to a 100 to 110 V.(AC) power supply.

Of course, this is an advanced technology, but it is not widely used in cars, because in the opaque state, the film or glass is equally not transparent on both sides – it WORKS like blinds – you can see NOTHING INTO OR OUTSIDE. This film and glass on its basis are very often used for office partitions, cottages and dachas and its most important feature is such property as reverse projection Magic Film. That is, if you use this film, for example, in a store window, from inside the store to broadcast an image on it with the help of an ordinary cinema projector, then this image will be visible on the street.3.

Our craftsmen, as always, came up with the easiest way to make the glass transparent or not transparent by placing two panes of glass in the door – transparent and tinted. In one door, on one rail, using two electric motors and two switches, two panes of glass are raised and lowered. One of them, which is on the outside, transparent, and the second inner glass is tinted with a normal film. This option is only available for Lada Priora cars and models with the same doors as the Lada Priora

Power tinting video:

Here is such a simple solution of “electric tinting” is done by our Russian masters of their craft. This way is the cheapest but not the best and even it is possible to say “soviet”, therefore those who are interested in getting good product are invited to see following two points.

Electronic toning price

Now let’s compare the prices of electronic tinting:

– Electronic tinting SPD technology – two front windows + control unit ~ From 395 000 rubles to 450 000 rubles. – Monochrome tinting PDLC technology – two front glasses + control unit ~ from 55 000 to 80 000 rubles – Double glazing – “electric tinting” – two front glasses ~ from 40 000 to 50 000 rubles Conclusion

The better the technology, the more expensive it is. On this basis, everyone chooses for himself the solution that he is more interested and profitable. It is clear that nobody will install double glass with double window lifters in a premium car, but for the owners of budget cars, this is probably the only way out.

Electronic tinting of car windows

For tinting in the Russian Federation there is a fine of 500 or 1000 rubles with the obligation to remove it. In Europe, the smart option is widely used and allowed there. Electronic toning passes all inspections of the traffic police.

Electric toning: types and principle of work

One of the advantages of electric toning, in addition to the fact that it does not need to be glued, is that the car owner can change the degree of tinting of the windows. This is done using a key fob or a built-in controller.

Another advantage of the method of electronic tinting is that it is not regulated by law. It is only important that the light transmission is not less than 70%.

1. Electronic toning works from a 12V power supply. No power is supplied to the glass when the car’s ignition is turned off.
2. The glass crystals are in tidy condition and completely dark.
3. When power is applied, the crystals line up in a grid and the glass transmits more light. The more intense the voltage applied, the more transparent the window.

The car owner chooses the level of electronic tinting or removes it completely.

What types of e-tinting are there

There are several ways to produce electronically tinted glass:

• polymer liquid crystal composition (PLC);
• Suspended Particle System (SPD);
• Electrochromic or chemical coating;
• Vario Plus Sky.

PDLC is owned by South Korean developers. The technology is based on the use of a liquid crystal substance interacting with a liquid polymer. When power is applied, the special composition hardens. Thus crystals form areas on it changing transparency of a smart shade.

The production uses the “sandwich” principle, where the substance is encased in the middle of two layers. Power is applied through a regulator and automotive inverters to the transparent material, where an electric field is created. When power is applied, the crystals form a grid and light passes through them.

The film can be blue, white or gray. It is not recommended to use strong detergents when cleaning the glass.

With SPD, the electronic dye contains rod-shaped particles in the liquid. The film is placed between the panes of glass or fixed from the inside.

When the power is off, the glass is completely opaque. When power is applied, the crystals in the liquid align and make the glass transparent.

SPD technology allows the degree of light transmission to be adjusted quite precisely.

The peculiarity of the electrochromic tinting of automobiles is that the chemical composition, acting as a catalyst, is used for its production.

Adjusting the degree of soft light transmission. When the power is turned on, it darkens from the edge to the center. After that, the transparency remains unchanged. Inside visibility is still good, electric tinting does not interfere with driving.

Vario Plus Sky is a laminated glass with electro-toning manufactured by AGP. With the apparent thinness have been increased strength and reliability. Glass withstands pressure 4 times higher than normal. It is controlled by a special fob.

There are alternative proposals electronic toning from manufacturers in China, the price is 2 times lower, but when buying this film, you need to think about its quality, there is no guarantee of safe use.

Pros and cons of electric tinting

Advantages include:

• the ability to set any degree of glass transparency with smart tinting;
• additional protection from ultraviolet light;
• fuel savings when running the car’s air conditioner;
• A higher level of sound insulation and impact resistance due to the multi-layer technology used.

The disadvantages include:

1. Higher cost.
2. Impossibility to install the smart glass yourself. Installation can only be performed by a specialist.
3. The need for a constant power source to maintain transparency. This is bad for the battery.
4. Small supply on the market. There is no production in Russia.

Electronic tinting: installation price

Due to the fact that the production of smart dyes in Russia and the CIS countries is just beginning to gain momentum, it is impossible to give an exact figure. The price of the label depends on several criteria.

How much does electronic car tinting cost in individual cases:

1. If you install premium smart glasses, the price reaches 190-210 thousand rubles. In this case, the car owner gets the absence of pixels and gradient, 1.5 years of warranty and ignition speed up to 1.5 minutes.
2. When installing electronic window tinting on a premium car, the price ranges from 100 thousand to 125 thousand rubles. In this case, the installation period will be up to 5 weeks. The manufacturer gives a warranty of 1 year.

It is possible to make your own electronic tinting. For this you will need:

• a stationery knife;
• tinting film;
• tissues;
• rubber spatulas;
• a rule.

Tinting is carried out in several stages:

1. Measure the glass and make blanks with an allowance of 1 cm.
2. Remove the protective layer.
3. Apply electronic toning.
4. Gently smooth it out in a direction away from the center.
5. Cut off any pieces of film that have come off the edges of the glass.
6. Reconnect the regulator and inverter.
7. Remove the contacts under the skin, having previously insulated them.

A do-it-yourself installation kit will cost about 50,000 rubles.

What’s the bottom line

Weighing the positive and negative sides of the installation of electronic car tinting, you can conclude that it has more advantages than disadvantages.

Firstly, it is ease of use. The adjustment takes place at the touch of a button. Also, the tinting decorates the car, gives it a more serious look. Its presence hides from prying eyes everything that happens inside the car.