TR2/3/3A Tr-3 front park light wireing

[AweMan]

What to do?
Looking in the V.B. and Moss catalogues they don`t show or say if the wireing comes with thier front park light assemblys
{yea mine have seen better days} I am resolved to ordering repros from one or the other! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cryin.gif
I guess the question is, where can one get the correct color coded wires needed to instal these assemblys. I can/will make my own harnesses I just need to know where to purchase the color coded wire.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

Aloha Kerry,

I don't think the wiring will be included with the lamp assembly. You could always call or e-mail them to be sure.

Here is a source for lamp harnesses:

https://www.britishwiring.com/CAT28_29.PDF

I have used British Wiring in the past and been very pleased with them and their products.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

A year or 2 ago I picked up a used TR4 wiring harness on eBay (ever wonder who would buy a used wiring harness?).

Anyway, it has proven a handy supply of correct color wires, connectors, light sockets, Lucas inline fuse holder, etc.

Just a day ago I picked up (also from eBay) a pair of the lights you are wanting. These can go pretty cheap -- mine were $9.99 for the pair and had the complete assembly & wires. Might be worth trolling for.

Why did I get a second set? I will use the double filament base in the turn signal location -- then wire it so I still have turn signals there but when I brake all 4 rear lights illuminate.

I don't worry much about driving into someone/something but I do worry about the guy behind me seeing my brake lights.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

Why did I get a second set? I will use the double filament base in the turn signal location -- then wire it so I still have turn signals there but when I brake all 4 rear lights illuminate.

So which circuit is going to get the "dimmer" of the two filaments (I'd suggest that the brake light circuit be the "dimmer" one)? I understand what you're trying to do, but I'm not convinced it will have the effect you desire.

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

So which circuit is going to get the "dimmer" of the two filaments (I'd suggest that the brake light circuit be the "dimmer" one)?

Has to be that way, otherwise the turn signals will be invisible when the brakes are on.

I understand what you're trying to do, but I'm not convinced it will have the effect you desire.

I did it on my TR3A some years ago. It does work, although I can't say it helps a great deal. But the guy who rear-ended me admitted he wasn't looking at the road at all, and didn't notice the high center light on the SUV in front of me either, so it's not much of a test.

One caution, though, my brake light switch burned up shortly after adding the extra filaments. A standard replacement didn't last much longer. From that, I deduce that the stock brake light switch won't handle the extra current. I solved the problem by converting to a mechanically-operated switch, mounted to the brake cylinder bracket (ala TR4), and picked the switch from a car that had a "high center" brake light.

However, I also use high power bulbs in the rear (2357 I think), so perhaps it wouldn't be a problem with ordinary 1157 bulbs.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

Thanks, good to know. I already use a magnetic-base towing light as a 3rd brake light (probably an 1157 in there) so maybe I wil exceed the current draw that hydraulic switch can handle... I'll keep an eye on it. The mechanical switch is probably better anyway as I think the hydraulic doesn't always come on during light braking.

Actually I once followed a British car (non-TR) that the brake lights would come on every time the clutch was depressed (some problem with the pedal mounted switch). Had to admit it was a fairly effective deterent to following to close.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

So which circuit is going to get the "dimmer" of the two filaments (I'd suggest that the brake light circuit be the "dimmer" one)?

Has to be that way, otherwise the turn signals will be invisible when the brakes are on.

And that's exactly my point! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif I think it's too much of a trade-off either way. If you want to add a third brake light, I think the only logical thing to do is what you (Geo) say you're already doing: use a "high-mount" light of some sort. Frankly, all the lights across the rear of a sidescreen TR are pretty low compared to most any modern vehicles.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

I see your point... OTOH, I don't think turn signals are nearly as important to the cars behind you (compared to oncoming and side traffic) whereas brake lights are all about the guy following.

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

If you want to add a third brake light, I think the only logical thing to do is what you (Geo) say you're already doing: use a "high-mount" light of some sort.

Which was going to be my next step; just hadn't quite figured out what I wanted to do. Was looking for something unobtrusive that I could attach to the top edge of the windscreen, like maybe some of those ultra-bright LEDs (the ones that warn you not to look at them !) mounted in acrylic.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

I see your point... OTOH, I don't think turn signals are nearly as important to the cars behind you (compared to oncoming and side traffic) whereas brake lights are all about the guy following.

Excellent point. However, here in New York, I'm not sure how my local shop would take to dimly flashing rear lamps during our annual safety inspections. But the L594 glass lenses don't deteriorate and do pass light fairly well. So, with good bulbs, maybe.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

But the L594 glass lenses don't deteriorate and do pass light fairly well.

FWIW, I switched to the amber lenses, which seem to pass more light than the red ones do. After a few years, some of the amber color flaked off too, which also helped.

But at least with my setup, it wasn't a matter of the dim filaments just looking dim with the bright ones on, they are flat-out invisible. The change from 40 candlepower to 43 CP doesn't show to my eye at all.

IMO your only hope of passing inspection is that the inspector doesn't try the turn signals with the brake lights on.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

...Was looking for something unobtrusive that I could attach to the top edge of the windscreen, like maybe some of those ultra-bright LEDs...

Have you seen these. Haven't used one but the price is such that one wouldn't be out much trying them:

https://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16180

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

Have you seen these. Haven't used one but the price is such that one wouldn't be out much trying them:

https://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16180

No, I hadn't seen those. Not quite what I was thinking (unobtrusive-wise) but I'll pick one up anyway and try it.

Eventually, that is, once I get a TR on the road again /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[YankeeTR]

Re: Tr-3 front park light wiring

Has anyone tried the replacement LED bulbs that simply plug into a stock 1157 socket? I have used them and they would certainly negate the effect of having too high of a current draw and helping to kill a brake light switch.

The hydraulic brake light switches seem to be of a really poor quality in the last ten years or so. Many hotrodders have gone to a mechanical switch even on early Fords that had the Hydraulic switch as standard equipment.

I still prefer the hyd. switch for its simplicity and original look. I would guess ther are some that are better than others but I don't know how to tell the difference.