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MG MGA - Flash to pass / dipswitch on dashboard
For those who have taken Barney's (MGAGuru) advice about combining the foot dipswitch with a flash-to-pass capability in a switch on the dashboard, it's a great benefit so long as the relay at its heart works. The relay designed for VW use is normally reliable but can still fail, in which case the headlights may work on one beam only.
This was the case in the pitch-dark at the weekend when the headlight low beam died without warning. Not the end of the world but a little alarming to be without lights even momentarily. For me the balance of advantage is with the dash switch. Just so you know ! |
Roger Walker |
Roger Thanks for the warning. Is this the design that Colyn devised some time ago? I bought the bits ages ago but two house moves and much upheaval has meant I still have not had the time to wire it up. |
Graham V |
Graham, Indeed it is and like Colyn, I removed the original foot-switch and re-routed the loom. The relay had been in place about five years - not long for a relay but I guess it was a dud. The switch is a very useful addition to the dash - worth the effort to instal ! My next project is the tail lights - they are the 1600's with indicators but they are really feeble in modern traffic. |
Roger Walker |
Thanks Roger You havent put me off doing the job then, when I can find time to get around to it. It's good to be aware of the potential problem so thanks. Assume you have updated your fuses? It's something I did a while back to protect the lighting circuit. |
Graham V |
Sorry to hear about your VW Dip/Flash relay "giving up the ghost" Roger, perhaps repro VW relays etc are not really any better than repro Lucas parts!
I had to look back at my own relay info and I was surprised to see that it was back in 2012 when I first did this conversion. So my VW relay is now 11 years old and, as far as I know, it is still working well, or at least, it was the last time I used it about a month ago. My MGA was having its MOT test and dipping the headlights was part of the test, so it was still working well. I managed to talk the garage owner into re-adjusting the headlamps before the test because I knew that the new Cibie units I had just fitted were set way too high. I think they love to find things wrong with the car and so he was happy to oblige. I know adjusting the lamps is a very simple job, but just now, my knees are so bad that if I got down onto my garage floor to attempt it , I would probably die of starvation before anyone discovered me still lying there. It will probably come as no surprise to you guys to learn that I do carry a spare VW dip/flash relay in my cars stash of spares. I have to admit that although I know I do carry a spare relay, I would have to look at my spares list to help me remember where I have squirrelled it away in my car. Now, where did I hide that list?? Cheers Colyn |
Colyn Firth |
Roger, Ref your comment about feeble taillights, I fitted an LED panel (not led bulb, as you get tolerance problems with the bulb and bulb holder and free smoke!) to replace the stop/tail bulb. The indicators bulb are quite bright. Regards Colin |
Colin Manley |
Colyn - yes like you, I have had a spare and must have a hunt for it but the latest replacement I notice - was made in Brazil. I cant say it fills me with confidance. Very sorru to hear about your knees.
Colin - the rear lights really concern me. The previous owner in Sweden must also have been worried and fitted the 1600's lights but left the 5 watt bulbs. I plan to change to 10W and have sourced two small red reflectors for the bumper but would be interested to know more about the panel you mention - is that readily available ? Good wishes - Roger |
Roger Walker |
Hi Roger
I bought a pair of 1600 rear/stop LED arrays from Classic Dynamo and Regulator Conversions as attached packing slip. half of the LEDs illuminate for rear light function, joined by the other half for brake light. Additionally, I found I was losing about half of the battery voltage across the contacts of the stop lamp switch. I replaced it with a microswitch operated by the brake pedal. It’s worth checking your switch and doing the mod, or just doing the mod in the knowledge that the hydraulic switch will fail sometime. Barney has some options for the microswitch. Cheers Dave. |
Bolney Coupe |
Sorry, continuing off topic but very interested Dave in your opinion on the rear lamp led arrays you mentioned - excellent, good or average? Are yours 1500 or 1600 rear lamps? (Off line would good or a phone call but I don’t know how to do it!) Bruce. |
Bruce Mayo |
Roger, Bruce,
The units i fitted came from Lew Palmer of Brittrix, Ltd. http://www.brittrix.com Very easy to fit and reversible (though I would never go back). The power load is much reduced (almost 4 amps) reducing load on the brake pressure switch contacts also. (Many of us have a separate mechanical brake light swithc.) Unlike Dave's units that illuminate half the board for taillights, these units illuminate the totality of the board surface when sidelights are on and become much brighter upon brake application. The photo shows the board, the daytime illumination of the brake light and also the nighttime illumination (Camera lens shows the bright Red as White, but it is red.) I produced an article on this very item in Feb 23 for the Twin-CaMGazatte and it is being reproduced in December's issue of the MGCC's Safety Fast magazine. regards Colin |
Colin Manley |
Hi Bruce Nice to hear from you and glad you are still enjoying Safety Fast. IIRC, Jim Cheetham adapted a motorcycle rear lamp for his A. It was written up on Autoshrine. Give me a call on 07504901022 tomorrow morning for a chat. Cheers Dave |
Bolney Coupe |
Thanks guys. I’m now on it! Bruce. |
Bruce Mayo |
Dave, Colin - very helpful advice thank you.I have bookmarked the American site for when I am feeling rich ! |
Roger Walker |
Roger You can find the lamps used by Jim Cheetam on eBay for £10 each. You don’t have to be so rich! Cheers Dave |
Bolney Coupe |
Dave - thanks. I am on it R |
Roger Walker |
Roger That’s good and I am sure Jim will provide advice if you need it, he has always been helpful to me with advice. We all would be interested in the finished result and I may even think about changing my LEDs. Cheers Dave |
Bolney Coupe |
Dave - will come back idc - have several jobs in hand so it may take a while Roger |
Roger Walker |
The lights have just arrived from China. I found them on Ebay with the search "LED Rear Tail Running Brake Stop Lamp Car Motorbike Motorcycle Reflector Light" Importantly they are 84mm long and fit leaving enough room for the connections. There are a host of lookalikes that are 90mm long which is too long. The rear,centre securing bolt needs to be removed. More pics after Christmas. Best wishes Roger |
Roger Walker |
Roger No pics attached. Happy Christmas Dave |
Bolney Coupe |
Sorry - finger trouble
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Roger Walker |
This thread was discussed between 12/11/2023 and 13/12/2023
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