Lucas

[RickB]

Ok, back on topic here... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

This morning the dash lights came on for the first time since I've owned Frank.
This is just strange! They came back on every time I flipped the light switch. And they come on in the center position without the headlights too. I didn't make any changes, I normally turn my headlights on in the morning on the way to work just to help those around me to know that I'm there.
Maybe it's all the bright shiny bits & the new floormats I put in a couple days ago - who knows?

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Maybe it's all the bright shiny bits & the new floormats I put in a couple days ago[/QUOTE]

You say that tongue in cheek but its possible that when you were working on something, you bumped a ground wire or jiggled a connection that caused them to start working....think I'd spend a few hours disconnection connectors, cleaning them & reassembling...plus unscrewing grounds, cleaning & reattaching to body.

 

[RickB]

Yes Tony, I know.

I spent 20 years as a licensed & working DC electrician, #1 field service tech etc...

I'd rather believe in the Good Lucas Fairy. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[jlaird]

Can I help drive?

 

[Steve_S]

It's usually the rheostat.

 

[Nunyas]

I usually jiggle the knob a bit and the lights'll come on.

 

[RickB]

No, I've jiggled the knob quite a bit over the past few months with no lights - I think it's more what Tony says. Connections, Connections, Connections...

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]It's usually the rheostat.[/QUOTE]

Take those wires off the back of the rheostat & hook them directly together!

 

[Stewart]

Well I'm back on the road Bosch conversion complete and a smith's volt meter installed where the cig lighter used to be so I won't get caught by surprise again. Now the question is how long will till this ford product burst's into flames. I must say that the ford festivous conversion is a very easy conversion to do and the alternators are 1/2 the cost or less than the original Lucas.

My subconscious must of known this was going to happen at some point as I actually had all the correct parts on hand to do the conversion including the nice alternator connector from British wiring that I bought by mistake last December

 

[DrEntropy]

Hush, Stew! I ~just~ put the FOURTH Bosch alternator on the Alfa... Rebuilds, all. Shoulda kept the original and done the thing meself. Kept the core this time and will do it up to have a spare onna SHELF. took a week to get one wot didn't put out 24V (!) sent to my supplier. gah. What was so WRONG with generators?!?

 

[Bugeye58]

What was so WRONG with generators?!?

Absolutely nothing, Doc. I think that as far as conversions go, there is a perception that alternators are just better because they're more modern. I've never had a problem with a generator that couldn't be fixed with $10.00 worth of parts.
Alternator repairs are pricier, but I still do all my own.
I won't be converting any of my generator equipped cars to alternators, and I've got four of them sitting on the shelf.
No stereos, or other unneccessary bling accesssories, either.
Jeff

 

[DrEntropy]

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

Even alternator bits aren't too bad. if the bridge is fried it can usually be either rapaired with discreet components or outright replaced. This Bosch has a brush set integral with the regulator so I'll be openin' up the li'l "black box" to see what they've hidden in there. VOM in hand.

Only thing I couldn't fix is if the field or armature wires got fried. And I even have a local winding service to fix that if it came down to it. I mistakenly *thought* it would be a simple swap-out. I'll be prepared on the next go. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif