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Re: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch

To: BJ8Healeys <sbyers@ec.rr.com>, "Healey, Forum" <healeys@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch
From: "josef-eckert@t-online.de" <josef-eckert@t-online.de>
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2019 14:49:22 +0200 (CEST)
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: healeys@autox.team.net
Importance: normal
References: <c279aa00-dd41-3126-576c-7f9695a59ae1@comcast.net> <321339040.44880918.1564337599141.JavaMail.zimbra@mailid.telus.net> <5e1ae689-3694-223a-3d99-ef2c27b931c1@comcast.net> <CAPTa0B6ikuZ7tu79Nt+qaSNRPykeDg8gWMtocnxAaJs1ceJRqA@mail.gmail.com> <010101d5460a$29ab09f0$7d011dd0$@rr.com>
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=20
A hydraulic pressure switch is changed in 5 minutes. I do not bother with=
=20
tat. It takes much more time to install a mechanical switch and still not=
=20
sure if it works propperly and how long?.
=20
Josef Eckert
Germany
=20
=20
=20
-----Original-Nachricht-----
Betreff: Re: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch
Datum: 2019-07-29T14:39:07+0200
Von: "BJ8Healeys" <sbyers@ec.rr.com>
An: "'Healeys'" <healeys@autox.team.net>
=20
=20
=20

I installed an adjustable mechanical brake switch in my BJ8 several years=
=20
ago after becoming frustrated with the short life of replacement pressure=
=20
switches.  My switch came from Watson's StreetWorks (
www.watsons-streetworks.com <http://www.watsons-streetworks.com> ).  Their=
=20
explanation of the problem with pressure switches is that the contacts do=
=20
not "wipe" over each other during switch operation and therefore do not=20
clean themselves of oxidation that causes them to fail.  Sounded good to=20
me.

So far, the mechanical switch has operated perfectly for 13 years and=20
40,000 miles.=20

=20

Steve Byers

HBJ8L/36666

BJ8 Registry

AHCA Delegate at Large

Havelock, NC=20

=20

=20

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Michael=
=20
Oritt
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2019 12:12 AM
To: Bob Spidell
Cc: Healeys
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch

=20

Bob--

=20

That is how the switches eventually fail--they work when one stands on the=
=20
brakes but the contacts do not close under normaL, moderate pressure. =20

=20

Best--Michael IOritt

=20

On Sun, Jul 28, 2019 at 11:02 PM Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net

 Roger Moment did an article a couple months ago in Austin-Healey
 Magazine about using a mechanical/electrical switch.  I bought the
 switch but haven't installed it; was really hoping the RFR switch would
 do the trick.  My current switch (heh) was working, I just had to hit
 the pedal harder than I though I should have to to activate the lights.=20
 I've had other motorists tell me my brake lights weren't working--I put
 LEDs in a couple years ago, and I know they're visible--but I think it's
 partly because I coast and/or engine brake instead of jackrabbiting into
 stop signs/lights and slamming on the brakes like so many drivers do.

 Guess I'll put a new, stock switch in and see if that helps.

 Bob

 On 7/28/2019 11:13 AM, Roger Grace wrote:
 > Yes these hydraulic switches are notoriously problematic.
 > I am of the opinion that the contacts get pitted and so this gives the
 erratic or non closing of the circuit. Have replaced at least 10 over the
 years on other Brit cars.
 > The solution is to fit a relay for this issue.
 > However this does not help with setting sensitivity.
 > I have fitted a mechanicat switch on the brake pedal shaft and the
 operating point is easily set - as sensitive as you want. This switch is
 wired in parallel with the hyd. one and drives a relay. So the hyd switch
 is just a back up.
 > Works just fine.
 > rg
 >
 >
 > ----- Original Message -----
 > Sent: Sat, 27 Jul 2019 18:42:49 -0600 (MDT)
 > Subject: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch
 >
 > A while ago, I bought a 'sensitive' brake light switch from Ron Francis
 > Racing (IIRC, based on a recommendation from someone here).  Today I
 > tried to install it and it has the wrong threads, which I only realized
 > after fabbing a couple leads for it.  So my question is, does anybody
 > make a higher-quality--i.e. more sensitive--switch that will actually
 > fit a Healey's brake lines? I've got a mechanical switch, but would
 > prefer to stay with the hydraulic if I can find one that doesn't take a
 > quarter-pedal of motion to activate.
 >
 > Also, the threads on my (now broken) current switch appear to be
 > machine, whereas the RFR switch was 1/8" pipe; anyone know what the
 > correct size of the current switch is (I had to put it back in to stop
 > the leak).
 >
 > TIA,
 >
 > Bob
 >
 >
 >
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<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html; charset=
=3DUTF-8"/><title></title></head><body><p style=3D"margin: 0px;"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;te=
xt-decoration:none">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; text-decoration: none;"=
>A hydraulic pressure switch is changed in 5 minutes. I do not bother with =
tat. It takes much more time to install a mechanical switch and still not s=
ure if it works propperly and how long?.<br /></span></p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; text-decoration: none;"=
>Josef Eckert</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; text-decoration: none;"=
>Germany</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-s=
erif;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">-----Original-Nachricht-----</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">Betreff: Re: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">Datum: 2019-07-29T14:39:07+0200</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">Von: "BJ8Healeys" &lt;sbyers@ec.rr.com&gt;</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">An: "'Healeys'" &lt;healeys@autox.team.net&gt;</p=
>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
<div>
<div class=3D"WordSection1">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">I installed an adjustable mechanical brake swi=
tch in my BJ8 several years ago after becoming frustrated with the short li=
fe of replacement pressure switches.&nbsp; My switch came from Watson's Str=
eetWorks (<a href=3D"http://www.watsons-streetworks.com";>www.watsons-street=
works.com</a>).&nbsp; Their explanation of the problem with pressure switch=
es is that the contacts do not "wipe" over each other during switch operati=
on and therefore do not clean themselves of oxidation that causes them to f=
ail.&nbsp; Sounded good to me. </span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">So far, the mechanical switch has operated per=
fectly for 13 years and 40,000 miles.&nbsp; </span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">Steve Byers</span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">HBJ8L/36666</span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">BJ8 Registry</span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">AHCA Delegate at Large</span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">Havelock, NC&nbsp; </span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Cali=
bri','sans-serif'; color: #002060;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Comi=
c Sans MS'; color: #002060;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<div style=3D"border: none; border-top: solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt; padding: 3.0pt=
 0in 0in 0in;">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 10.0pt; font-famil=
y: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">From:</span></strong><span style=3D"font-size: 1=
0.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounce=
s@autox.team.net] <strong>On Behalf Of </strong>Michael Oritt<br /><strong>=
Sent:</strong> Monday, July 29, 2019 12:12 AM<br /><strong>To:</strong> Bob=
 Spidell<br /><strong>Cc:</strong> Healeys<br /><strong>Subject:</strong> R=
e: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch</span></p>
</div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"color: #3333ff;">Bob--</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"color: #3333ff;">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"color: #3333ff;">That is how the swit=
ches eventually fail--they work when one stands on the brakes but the conta=
cts do not close under normaL, moderate pressure.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"color: #3333ff;">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"color: #3333ff;">Best--Michael IOritt=
</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">On Sun, Jul 28, 2019 at 11:02 PM Bob Spidell &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:bspidell@comcast.net";>bspidell@comcast.net</a>&gt; wrote:</p=
>
</div>
<blockquote style=3D"border: none; border-left: solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt; paddin=
g: 0in 0in 0in 6.0pt; margin-left: 4.8pt; margin-right: 0in;">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Roger Moment did an=
 article a couple months ago in Austin-Healey <br />Magazine about using a =
mechanical/electrical switch.&nbsp; I bought the <br />switch but haven't i=
nstalled it; was really hoping the RFR switch would <br />do the trick.&nbs=
p; My current switch (heh) was working, I just had to hit <br />the pedal h=
arder than I though I should have to to activate the lights.&nbsp; <br />I'=
ve had other motorists tell me my brake lights weren't working--I put <br /=
>LEDs in a couple years ago, and I know they're visible--but I think it's <=
br />partly because I coast and/or engine brake instead of jackrabbiting in=
to <br />stop signs/lights and slamming on the brakes like so many drivers =
do.<br /><br />Guess I'll put a new, stock switch in and see if that helps.=
<br /><br />Bob<br /><br />On 7/28/2019 11:13 AM, Roger Grace wrote:<br />&=
gt; Yes these hydraulic switches are notoriously problematic.<br />&gt; I a=
m of the opinion that the contacts get pitted and so this gives the erratic=
 or non closing of the circuit. Have replaced at least 10 over the years on=
 other Brit cars.<br />&gt; The solution is to fit a relay for this issue.<=
br />&gt; However this does not help with setting sensitivity.<br />&gt; I =
have fitted a mechanicat switch on the brake pedal shaft and the operating =
point is easily set - as sensitive as you want. This switch is wired in par=
allel with the hyd. one and drives a relay. So the hyd switch is just a bac=
k up.<br />&gt; Works just fine.<br />&gt; rg<br />&gt;<br />&gt;<br />&gt;=
 ----- Original Message -----<br />&gt; From: Bob Spidell &lt;<a href=3D"ma=
ilto:bspidell@comcast.net">bspidell@comcast.net</a>&gt;<br />&gt; To: Heale=
ys &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net";>healeys@autox.team.net</a>=
&gt;<br />&gt; Sent: Sat, 27 Jul 2019 18:42:49 -0600 (MDT)<br />&gt; Subjec=
t: [Healeys] Brake Light Switch<br />&gt;<br />&gt; A while ago, I bought a=
 'sensitive' brake light switch from Ron Francis<br />&gt; Racing (IIRC, ba=
sed on a recommendation from someone here).&nbsp; Today I<br />&gt; tried t=
o install it and it has the wrong threads, which I only realized<br />&gt; =
after fabbing a couple leads for it.&nbsp; So my question is, does anybody<=
br />&gt; make a higher-quality--i.e. more sensitive--switch that will actu=
ally<br />&gt; fit a Healey's brake lines? I've got a mechanical switch, bu=
t would<br />&gt; prefer to stay with the hydraulic if I can find one that =
doesn't take a<br />&gt; quarter-pedal of motion to activate.<br />&gt;<br =
/>&gt; Also, the threads on my (now broken) current switch appear to be<br =
/>&gt; machine, whereas the RFR switch was 1/8" pipe; anyone know what the<=
br />&gt; correct size of the current switch is (I had to put it back in to=
 stop<br />&gt; the leak).<br />&gt;<br />&gt; TIA,<br />&gt;<br />&gt; Bob=
<br />&gt;<br />&gt;<br />&gt;<br />_______________________________________=
________<br />Support Team.Net <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html";>=
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</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
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