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Date night with the Sprite

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SaxMan

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I drove the Sprite to work today and then the Mrs. & I went out to dinner in it, joining up with a couple of friends. After dinner we drove around a bit on the way home, killing some time until we could get back when we told the sitter we would return. It was my first time driving the Sprite at night (and with the top down). I could not have asked for a better night: moderate temperatures and a full moon. All I could think was "Why did I wait so long to do this?". It was very cool! The Mrs. enjoyed it, too, but she got cold a lot more quickly than I did and ended up with both of our jackets on.

The only thing I noticed was that the standard incandescent headlights ought to be upgraded to halogens. Maybe add a set of driving lights if I end up doing more night driving.
 
It is pretty magical - congrats!
 
Sounds like a great night out. Best time for a convertible is a mild summer evening.
 
Halogens and a set of headlight relays will significantly upgrade night time driving experiences. Simple to add relays. Really made a difference in available candlepower.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
Halogens and a set of headlight relays will significantly upgrade night time driving experiences. Simple to add relays. Really made a difference in available candlepower.
Click to expand...

I agree Jim. After hitting a deer at night with my MGB many years ago the first thing I do to a new acquisition is to upgrade the head light's. Probably would have hit the deer anyway but a few second's more time to react might have made the difference. Know I would have been able to scrub off a little more speed.

Kurt.
 
I did find with Bugsy I that halogens, XM radio, lots of short < 2 miles to Kroger's at night did not allow the generator enough time to recharge that battery. I did need to pop the car on the charger every 3-4 weeks. I was losing juice somewhere as well due to keep alive on the radio. If car was not driven for 5-6 weeks battery would be totally dead. Solution alternator to resolve. But sold Bugsy I instead.
 
My two bits...all of the above but add an Elk years ago... went to "off the road" kick in the ass high beams bulbs in the Cibie's which give the day light feel...
 
Jim_Gruber said:
Halogens and a set of headlight relays will significantly upgrade night time driving experiences. Simple to add relays. Really made a difference in available candlepower.
Click to expand...

Do you just splice in the relays to the existing headlight wiring, or is there something else that needs to be done? Feel free to PM me with your response.
 
SaxMan said:
Do you just splice in the relays to the existing headlight wiring, or is there something else that needs to be done? Feel free to PM me with your response.
Click to expand...

I fed the relay switch from the wire harness but powered the lights with a line from the battery (actually the solenoid) Got the schematic here: https://www.advanceautowire.com/
 
And they want $90 for a headlight relay kit, LOL. I was able to get a couple of relays and relay sockets, heat shrink, heavy duty fuse holder, something like a 30 amp fuse for < $20 from Parts Express in Springboro, Oh. Web site is available and they have a similar wiring diagram. I ran two fused wires for power of of the solenoid lug. A source of direct power to the battery. All connections soldered and finished insulating with heat shrink tape. This connection needs to be fused!!!!

There is a ideal spot to install the relays on cover plate where master cylinder installs on a RHD car. Right there there is a Y in the wiring harness where the Blue/white and the Blue/ Red wires plus ground wires exit the harness and lead down the right side of the car going to the front for the headlights. Relay sockets mounted on the cover. Wires on the sockets are long enough that no extra wiring other than wires for power from the solenoid lug are needed. I zip tied wiring coming from battery and later covered with some flexible mesh wire cover that Trevor used available via Jeg's catalog to neaten things up.

Difference in night driving was Bugsy went from 2 dim flashlights peering down the road to modern headlights where you can really see at night. Get a wiring diagram so you make sure you are splicing into the correct wires. Additional correct colored wiring which you won't need for this one can be had from British Wiring.
 
Nice work, Jim. I'll do similar on my Bugeye one of these days.
 
If she's a little chilly open the trapdoor in the passenger footwell and more warm air will enter her side. Probably no need to turn the heater on.
 
I told her about the trap door, but with the new three point harnesses, it's impossible to lean forward enough to get to the them without taking the belt off, not something I want to do while driving.
 
Get a lap blanket for the car :smile:
 
Nice! I drove my MGB to work every day last week (eastern USA weather has been nice!). I think my favourite time to drive is in a Fall on a cool night. My Mrs. is a bit like your's....she gets cold quicker than me, so I always make sure she has a good coat (blanket is a good idea too!).
 
Or better yet a heated one that plugs into cigarette lighter. Hope you got a good alternator. Heated socks...
 
I always thought a date night created it's own HEAT! I know..you have to be a bit creative in cramped conditions....but doable...as I remember haha
 
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