Hi Larry,
Steve's idea of using the headlight flash type turn switch is exactly
what I would have suggested.
The pull against the spring is strong enough not to do it accidentally -
if you think about it, instead of sounding the horn as you thought, you
may accidentally flash your head lights and encourage someone to cross
in front of you (that's what a flash of the headlights in the UK would
mean).
Just think, if Rootes and Lucas had conspired to make the spring weak
enough........
........ Rootes would have never gone under because of all the extra
front fenders they could have sold 8-)
As Steve says, a relay would be a good idea for switching the extra
current.
You could always check the parts book for the extensive number of relays
used by Lucas to switch the high current in the original wiring, I just
added them all up, total - zero if you discount the starter solenoid !
I guess that explains some of the smoke.
seriously, there is a spare set of contacts on these switches which
would suit the purpose ideally.
I have also seen both horn and flash activation by means of foot
switches mounted on brackets in the foot well which have been made to
also hold the main / dip beam switch.
I don't know how practical these are to use, but since I was converting
the car from LHD to RHD at the time it seemed better to keep it in the
drivers side foot well whichever side (but then if my wife was the
passenger ....... 8-)
As regards over drive switches, you will probably pay more for one than
you will for the horns and a tank of fuel.
regards
Jeff
In message <7062DD64AF2AD311B78F00104B929A000231EC09@us01usopex5.usop.co
m>, Wright, Larry <larry.wright@usop.com> writes
>-----Original Message-----
>> From: Steve Laifman
>> I presume the "Overdrive Switch" is for your Alpine, or did
>> you do something with your Tiger?
>
> Sorry. The Alpine went to the scrapyard nine years ago, less any
>salvageable parts. This'll be for the Garage Queen. The SV Alpine did not
>have O/D, so I don't have a "surplus to requirements" switch. At one point I
>had a 1" long "momentary" switch installed in the right-side "plug" on the
>column to operate the stock horns, but it was tough to get to. Somewhere, in
>some box, I still have the horns and the short switch; won't be reinstalling
>them.
>
>> Anyway, Jay has the Alpine overdrive (Laycock) and the switch.
>> If you recall, the stock position of the Turn signal was on
>> the right side of the steering wheel. Nearly everybody
>> switches over to the left side, as per American practice.
>
> My T/S lever was on the left when I got it, but probably would have
>moved it there anyhow. I guess, with the O/D on the left, you could operate
>the O/D and the shifter at the same time, get to half-step shifts?
>
>> The Overdrive switch was on the left side, and looks like the
>> turn signal switch, externally.
>> Another turn signal switch is available with a headlight
>> "horn", but I'd probably use a relay for the actual power
>> switching.
>
> I'm thinking that if I ever get one of those, I'd like to rig that
>for headlight flashing. Also, if I'm a bit hamfisted with the T/S lever, I'd
>rather not be setting off the horn accidentally.
>
> On another subject: I cannot hear the T/S flasher at all, and have a
>couple of times left the signal on (ick). Is there a plug-in flasher that's
>louder? And would it let out all the Lucas smoke if I used it? Just a louder
>'beep' would be fine, not a J C Junk unit that plays "Dixie". :^)
>
> Larry Wright
> "I can't get no-- Satis-Traction"
--
Jeff Howarth
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