Thread: Series Wiring - Seriously.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

My guess: 3/4 of it is unfused, switches get full current with no relays, dodgy earths and bullet connectors seem to be great insulators.

Nailed it.

And once the smoke leaks out of the wires....

Hello Slunnie,

Well, you might be aware of the rumor attributed to Lord Lucas that "A gentleman does not motor about after dark". Then link this to the reliability of the electrical system. Also, consider for its time a Series was probably at the cutting edge of the available and relatively affordable technology. Relays only serve to complicate wiring diagrams anyway!

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Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Seriously, how can Series wiring be so unreliable.

Working on mine, only the parker lights work and the engine runs - thats it.

So, I get out the wiring diagram and it is not quite as simple as you can possibly make it, but its getting pretty close to that.

So why is this wiring so unreliable.

My guess: 3/4 of it is unfused, switches get full current with no relays, dodgy earths and bullet connectors seem to be great insulators.

My Series I is still running it's original wiring harness. The wires are fabric wrapped rubber coated, in a few spots you can see the wire inside (I carry a fire extinguisher).
Two Series II's and two Series III's also run their original harnesses.

The problem I found initially with the Series I was with the connectors.
I don't understand how but the bullet connectors rubber covering had migrated and was stopping the bullets making contact with the steel sleeve inside the connector ?!
Replaced with PVC covered connectors, cleaned the brass bullets, sorted a couple of earth connections and all OK since.

As you suggested, the problem is typically with earthing and the bullet connectors rather than the wiring itself.

Another problem with light globes can be that the contacts in the holder deform the solder contacts on the globe over time. Out with the soldering iron..... an easy fix.

The last problem is.....amateurs fiddling, twisting wires together rather than soldering or adding a connector, adding accessories that overload the wiring etc.

I did read an article some years ago where it was suggested that the bullet connectors were designed initially to hold the harness in place rather than actually transmit electricity
Personally I've not had a problem with them, once cleaned, on motorcycles or cars over the years.


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Colin