Post-War Other Triumph Mayflower

[twodzusfittings]

Anybody on the list own a Triumph Mayflower. Looking to add additional indicators with flashers and could use some help sorting this out.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Theoretically, you might do this with the original front side lamp and rear stop/tail lamp. However, it would require a relay in addition to a flasher, and the front lamp in particular is rather small (and I don't believe that the original Lucas L489 lamp is available with a dual-filament socket).

I think I'd want to go with separate flasher lamps such as these Lucas lamps from Holden in the UK.

If you're not so hesitant to modify the bodywork, you could use any of several larger front side/flasher lamps, and I've seen Mayflower owners add an additional taillamp housing on the rear, above the original (assuming you can find a pair of housings) and then add another L488 lamp, with either red or amber lens, on the back.

All these lamps are available from Holden as in the links above. As for wiring, I imagine you could "combine" the circuitry from the Mayflower and a TR2/3, since they share essentially the same control head on the steering wheel.

 

[TR3driver]

Well, I don't have a Mayflower, which is probably why I don't understand the question. But modern relays are cheap and can be hidden in a variety of places. If just adding a few relays will accomplish your goal without modifying the bodywork, that is the way I would go.

For example, I added a pair of relays & resistors to my TR3 so that the rear turn signal filaments could do double-duty as brake lights. I'm quite pleased with the result:

and the relays are well hidden under the dash, mounted to a simple bracket fastened to an original bolt. If you look under the hood, there is a new subharness visible from the firewall to the junction area near the LH horn, but there were also no changes to the original wiring harness.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Well, I don't have a Mayflower, which is probably why I don't understand the question.

Other than what I noted in my reply, the major problem with the Mayflower is that it only has "trafficators" in the B-post.

Here in the 21st century, those are not the most recognizable or visible means of signalling a turn!

 

[TR3driver]

Aha! That clarifies things considerably! Thanks, Andy!

One way forward with those L489 lamps would be to have a bright LED bulb made up to fit them (the folks at Litezupp appear to like challenges so I'd talk to them), and then use a series dropping resistor when operating as a marker lamp. Because LEDs use less current than incandescent bulbs, the dropping resistor wouldn't waste much power (though you'd still want a suitably rated power resistor). Then a single relay, or even just a pair of 'steering' diodes would power the lamp through either the tail circuit and dropping resistor, or the new turn signal circuit without the dropping resistor (for full brightness).

The result would simulate a dual-filament bulb without having to change the lamp.

Assuming you want to keep the trafficators functional, the easiest approach might be to use two turn signal flashers, one for each side.

 

[trrdster2000]

twodzus, I just set you a PM. Just click on my stuff and then message.

Wayne

 

[Andrew Mace]

Interesting concept, Randall; I'm sure something like that could be done. My only reaction to that is that, no matter what sort of bulb is in that front side lamp, it's still a very tiny lamp unit. I can't measure at the moment, but my Lucas Catalogue notes that the rim diameter of the L489 is 2 and 5/16", while the rim diameter of the L488 (as per the original rear taillamp) -- or the L594 (your typical glass "beehive" lens lamp) is 2 and 23/32". Also, the typical L489 lens is "clear, lightly shot blast inside"; the L488 lens usually is "clear" inside. I just wonder if, even with a bright LED bulb, the L489 is big enough to serve well as a flasher lamp. There would be no such problem with the separate lamp assemblies that I initially suggested (with at least as large -- maybe larger -- lens as the L488 or L594), and they could easily be mounted on a bracket that bolts to a bumper bolt without modifying anything else. Either way, of course, I'm sure a separate subharness and flasher(s) could be added to the car without "butchering" anything. Those lamps wouldn't be all that cheap, but what price visibility? :laugh:

 

[TR3driver]

I just wonder if, even with a bright LED bulb, the L489 is big enough to serve well as a flasher lamp.

Could be an issue, I guess. Still, if you can get the same number of lumens (light output) out of the lens, I'm not sure that the fixture size has that much to do with visibility. And they've got some seriously bright LEDs available these days. I was reading an article a few weeks ago talking about using them for headlights!

But of course it's all up to the owner. I was just trying to present an alternative path.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I was just trying to present an alternative path.

And there's a very good chance it would work just fine. Regardless of its size, at least the original side lamp is separate from the headlamp unit. I see too many new cars where the headlamp(s), side and flasher lights are all part of one big (and, I'm sure, very expensive to replace) unit. With so many headlamps being as bright as they are nowadays, I often find that I simply do NOT see a flashing turn signal in the midst of all that headlamp brightness! :madder: