Prepare for the Laon 2023

Laon 2023 was a good event 

I even made the local paper.

- marked by the Sunbeam servo failing to release the brakes and cooking the fluid. undoing the vacuum fixed that issue but the pressure needed to operate the brakes was more than expected.

Had a good time in Laon but after the day driving around the city the Alternator light started to flash and the voltmeter change between 12v and 14v in sequence.
The next day was a drive to Honfleur but wasnt long before the warning light came on and the voltage started to go down. I stopped to investigate properly when it got to 11v and it had difficulty starting.

Thinking Alternator I checked the voltage at the exciter pin (small wire). Nothing.
So hot wired from 12V battery bus direct. And off we went again.
This wire needed to be disconnected every long stop.

10 minutes later the engine cut out and we rolled to a stop. Engine would start on the key but stop when released.

Under dash found burnt white wires on the run contact of the ignition switch. Mostly white wires melted together. (probably others but thats for tomorrow).
Removed these wires from ignition switch and slaved in a new cable to the fuse box.

Then we were able to carry on to Honfluer.

I did try the Alternator exciter wire direct to the switched 12v - but then the engine wouldnt stop  
Add a warning bulb in circuit and it would stop.
Funny things alternators

Added a fuse box inside the regulator box for the 12v Live circuit (Lights, Horn relays, hazards etc).
Another for the  Switched 12V. I need to extend a few wires now.

The fuse blown indicators don't work on LED sidelights but do work on incandescent dip/main.
Will check later if works with LED indicators (due to dashboard warning lamp providing the circuit)

 

The solenoid switch failed just before Laon. Probably been bad a long time.

It was probably dirty contacts inside. Anyway a new one fixed it.

I fed a new wire to the starter motor a few years ago - probably was the solenoid even then.