Reply to: RE>>Electrical Systems
From: Jerry Kaidor <Jerry_Kaidor.ENGINTWO@engtwomac.synoptics.com>
One failing of the older Lucas electrical systems, was the "two-fuse"
philosophy. The fuse box had two fuses, one for the horn, the other for
EVERYTHING ELSE. So if your headlight shorted out, the WHOLE CAR DIED.
Now wait a minute. You've got a TR2, right? As I recall, in the TR2/3,
the headlights WEREN'T FUSED AT ALL. The two fuses were for the horn
and the ignition/side-lights/etc. The Truely Devoted among us might
view this design as demonstrating Standard Triumph's great faith in
Lucas component quality in the late '50s and early '60s. I myself am
more inclined to think of it as a clever method of providing exercise
for emergency fire crews the world over.
-john
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Now that I think of it, this jibes with a story my neighbor told me. To
wit:
My neighbor is an old-time British car mechanic. He is from Ireland, and
came to the U.S. in the fifties to be a Triuimph service rep. He says that
when TR3's were shipped, it was common for the tail lights to get bashed
because of the car getting jostled. Then someone would get in the car, put his
foot on the brake, and INSTANTLY FRY THE WIRING HARNESS.
My friend got to where he could replace a TR3 wire harness in just about an
hour....
- Jerry Kaidor
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