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Lucas Defroster Installation

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theleisure

theleisure

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I just bought a Lucas Defroster bar and I'm curious about how to install it (or if it will even work in my Sprite). Here's a link to the item on eBay.
First of all, I'm nervous that I might have bought something that was 6v intead of 12v, is that a possibility? I didn't even think about that until after i bought it, of course.
I found this installation flyer online:
lucas-demister-installation1.jpg
Take a look at the connector at the end of the wires. I've never seen one like that before. How do I adapt it for use on my neg. ground '66 sprite?
 
Interesting Item. Polarity my not matter. Voltage will. Not sure about the connector, or your wishes to keep it original. There may be screw terminals where it is attached to the connector so that you could remove it. Or cut it off..and wire it into your harness.


m
 
The MG TD uses a 12V system and those connectors plug into the dash on the TD. Pos/Neg ground should not be an issue, in fact the heater probably doesn't even matter which is connected to which, it would be easy to find which is supposed to be positive by looking at the TD diagram. Those connectors were used for accessories similar to how you see the cigarette plugs used today.
 
I bet that thing draws some amps. I'd run heavy gauge wire straight to the source (control box) for fear of overloading a circuit.
 
Here you can see the connectors that the heater would plug into on the right of this picture:

p_pothier_dash_letters.jpg
 
I'd think a somewhat oddball accessory like that might be a sought after item? No? Still $50 isn't free.
 
Besides, if you have those cool plugs in your dash you can use them for your spy decoder and a turntable and a rocket launcher and all manner of cool stuff.
 
The one accessory that I have for my MGTD that uses those plugs is an original trouble light. What a great idea, could be very useful in a spridget too.

Looks just like this one, has a chain to hang it up and the wires run to the plugs on the dash.

Here is a good sight to see what else was available: https://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_accessories.htm

Trouble_Lamp.jpg
 
LOL a teapot...


ROFLMAO

m
 
Today I installed the defroster bar. I got power from a terminal on the solenoid (power always on) and grounded to a terminal behind the dash. Here's a look at the wiring I set up:
img_0712.jpg


If you follow the wires up from the bar this is what you'll see:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]2 original cloth wrapped wires ending in new male 1/4" spade connectors. one to ground, one to power [*]new ground wire with new female 1/4" spade terminal and new O-ring terminal. one to defroster, one to ground behind oil pressure gauge. [*]new 14gauge fusible link with 10 amp fuse with new 1/4" female spade terminal connected to 14gauge wire which terminates on the other end with a new 1/4" female spade terminal. one to defroster, one to spade connector on solenoid.
[/list]
good news is that it works and i didn't burn anything up!
img_0717.jpg

img_07131.jpg
 
that is bizarre and cool at the very same time! congrats
 
Always on? 24/7?
 
I hoped there was a switch in the mix somewhere!
 
That's really a neat little option. With my luck the suction cups would fail when it's good and hot and it would wind up in my lap. Make sure you clean the inside of the glass well when you put it on, that will help it stay secured.
 
Tullamore said:
How hot to the touch does it get?
Click to expand...
well, i only needed it for a few minutes at a time so i can't tell you for sure. after a minute it was nice and warm but definitely not hot enough to burn my hand. It has two coiled elements inside, just like the ones in a space heater. I don't think they'll get glowing hot like space heater coils though. I could be wrong... We'll see.
 
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