reversing light
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- Minor Legend
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reversing light
hi all i have seen a reversing light swith to go on my 1098cc gearbox http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lucas-SMB462- ... 45fec2d368 so how do i go about wiring it up
cheers josh
cheers josh
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
The tricky bit will be getting the switch positioned so when you put the gear stick into reverse it hits the switch.
Once that is done, take a cable from the same connection as your front/rear lights at the board under the bonnet, feed the cable to the switch, from the other side of the switch feed the cable to your reversing light, then come from the light on the negative side and join the cable to the body work somewhere.
Some would say, just fit a switch on your dash and remember to flick it on and off.
Once that is done, take a cable from the same connection as your front/rear lights at the board under the bonnet, feed the cable to the switch, from the other side of the switch feed the cable to your reversing light, then come from the light on the negative side and join the cable to the body work somewhere.
Some would say, just fit a switch on your dash and remember to flick it on and off.
My Minor:
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
i just wanted the switch on the gearbox so it would light up as soon as i go in reverse
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
I'm not sure they are that clever Josh. I think there was probably a small flat lug on the gear lever under the floor. The switch may have bolted to a bracket on the gearbox in a position so when you are in reverse the lug presses the switch down. When you come out of reverse the switch is released.
I could be wrong though... brake lights are done the same way even on modern cars, except they are fitted to the brake pedal.
I could be wrong though... brake lights are done the same way even on modern cars, except they are fitted to the brake pedal.
My Minor:
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
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- Minor Friendly
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Re: reversing light
Thats the reversing light switch that came with the Midget gearbox. I fitted the MG 1100 gearbox remote housing to my Minor gearbox. It has the correct drilling for this switch. If you can find one of those then its a simple mod and works well.
Al
Al
Re: reversing light
I don't see any mention in the list of cars that it fits - of the Morris 1000.......... Maybe it will fit - maybe not.
Re: reversing light
It would be nice if it would fit but I don't think there is anywhere to fit it on a Minor gearbox.
This might give you another idea. I'm currently in a test phase of this modification.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
This sits on top of the reverse selector plunger, that moves up when reverse is selected, and activates the switch as shown.[frame][/frame]
In forward gears and neutral[frame][/frame]
and in reverse[frame][/frame]
So far so good, it has been reliable, with a test light in the car.
The good thing I find with this setup is that it all fits under the rubber gear lever boot and wasn't that hard to do although it was a bit fiddly getting the switch lever adjusted correctly.
The actual bracket is a corner brace from a hardware store.
This might give you another idea. I'm currently in a test phase of this modification.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
This sits on top of the reverse selector plunger, that moves up when reverse is selected, and activates the switch as shown.[frame][/frame]
In forward gears and neutral[frame][/frame]
and in reverse[frame][/frame]
So far so good, it has been reliable, with a test light in the car.
The good thing I find with this setup is that it all fits under the rubber gear lever boot and wasn't that hard to do although it was a bit fiddly getting the switch lever adjusted correctly.
The actual bracket is a corner brace from a hardware store.
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- Minor Maniac
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Re: reversing light
That's the best looking way of fitting a reversing switch I've seen.
Nice job!
Nice job!
"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
Nice job - what is the rating of the microswitch? 1 reverse light bulb will draw 2A, 2 obviously 4A! Probably need to run through a relay?
I would not take the supply from the lighting circuit, otherwise if you need to leave the sidelights on when parked and you also leave it in reverse, the reverse light(s) will be on as well! I would take it from an ignition switched supply, and have a fuse in it as well.
I would not take the supply from the lighting circuit, otherwise if you need to leave the sidelights on when parked and you also leave it in reverse, the reverse light(s) will be on as well! I would take it from an ignition switched supply, and have a fuse in it as well.
Richard
Re: reversing light
X3 on the nice job Roni and I agree entirely on using a fused supply from ignition circuit and a relay.
1956 Morris Minor Series II
1959 MGA 1600 Roadster
1966 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 MOD
1959 MGA 1600 Roadster
1966 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 MOD
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Re: reversing light
The advertised switch will fit a 1275 Midget box which has the threaded hole on the remote gear shift extension, not on the Minor box
[sig]3580[/sig]
Re: reversing light
The switch (5A) earths a relay which has its power, and the power for the light, taken from the ignition supply via its own fuse. This way there only need to be one wire run to the switch. The relay is hidden in the empty control box. Finally found a use for that space!
My only question with this setup is how it handles moisture/grime etc. That, and how will it handle vibration.
My only question with this setup is how it handles moisture/grime etc. That, and how will it handle vibration.
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
Roni, that is an exellent piece of work. Josh, I'd follow this example!
My Minor:
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
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- Minor Legend
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- Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: reversing light
Roni,
Completely off topic, but following problems with breaking 2 wheel centres earlier this year after 40+ years on the car, I will be replacing them will 'Minilite' style alloys. What size, width and offset are the wheels and what tyre size are on your Minor?
Completely off topic, but following problems with breaking 2 wheel centres earlier this year after 40+ years on the car, I will be replacing them will 'Minilite' style alloys. What size, width and offset are the wheels and what tyre size are on your Minor?
Richard
Re: reversing light
14x6 Performance Superlites 12P ( more details at http://www.performancewheels.com.au/Hom ... at=Classic ), 175/70x14 tyres
The 6" width was the only one available here at the time. A 5" or 5 1/2" would have been a better fit.
I know what you mean about the steel wheel centres breaking. A long time ago I had one front wheel shatter right in the middle of town outside the railway station.
The 6" width was the only one available here at the time. A 5" or 5 1/2" would have been a better fit.
I know what you mean about the steel wheel centres breaking. A long time ago I had one front wheel shatter right in the middle of town outside the railway station.
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
Roni,
Thanks. The current steel wheels are 13" x 5.5" and I have to decide 13" or 14", then either 5.5" or 6" wide! And I don't really want alloys in the first place, but after having 2 break there is no other choice. Have to decide soon though.
Thanks. The current steel wheels are 13" x 5.5" and I have to decide 13" or 14", then either 5.5" or 6" wide! And I don't really want alloys in the first place, but after having 2 break there is no other choice. Have to decide soon though.
Richard
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
My version is very similar:
http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... ng#p268752
The microswitch rating is 250V 6A so I fitted a relay.
As Roni mentioned above it's a bit of a fiddle to set up but works fine.
Regards
Declan
http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... ng#p268752
The microswitch rating is 250V 6A so I fitted a relay.
As Roni mentioned above it's a bit of a fiddle to set up but works fine.
Regards
Declan
Regards
Declan
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- Minor Fan
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Re: reversing light
So if the reverse light is (say) 21W @ 12v = 1.75A then why the relay?...or am I being fick (as usual )Declan_Burns wrote:...
The microswitch rating is 250V 6A so I fitted a relay...
_____________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Xog and I am from Adderley Park. Greetings earth people...take me to your leaded.
My name is Xog and I am from Adderley Park. Greetings earth people...take me to your leaded.
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
It's all to do with 'inrush' current. The resistance of the filament inside the bulb is much lower at ambient temperature than when it is at its operating temperature - typically the difference is 10-15 times. So taking a single 21w 12v bulb, which draws 1.75A when 'on', it would draw 10-15 times that for the first few milliseconds when switched on.
A 5A switch will last for a while, but is likely to have a rather short life, so using a relay will give it a much easier time.
A 5A switch will last for a while, but is likely to have a rather short life, so using a relay will give it a much easier time.
Richard
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- Minor Legend
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Re: reversing light
Exactly!IslipMinor wrote:It's all to do with 'inrush' current. The resistance of the filament inside the bulb is much lower at ambient temperature than when it is at its operating temperature - typically the difference is 10-15 times. So taking a single 21w 12v bulb, which draws 1.75A when 'on', it would draw 10-15 times that for the first few milliseconds when switched on.
A 5A switch will last for a while, but is likely to have a rather short life, so using a relay will give it a much easier time.
Regards
Declan
Regards
Declan