Dan,
Welcome! I guess I never thought I would have such esteemed company in
my humble little room. At least it proves that we are all human and
even the best can occasionally make a mistake.
Regards,
Joe
DANMAS@aol.com wrote:
>
> Fellow listers,
>
> Next to my computer, I keep a stack, about a foot tall, of wiring diagrams,
> shop manuals, vendor catalogs, text books, etc. In addition to that, I have a
> fairly large collection of books about LBCs, including all of the "original"
> series. Before I answer a question, even if I am certain I know the answer, I
> refer to these just to be sure. If I can't confirm my answer there, I will
> contact someone, either on the list or in person, to get the correct info. I
> will often go examine a vehicle personally to ensure that my answers are
> correct. I even flagged down a later model MGB in a parking lot once, and
> asked the very surprised owner to lift the hood so I could get the information
> I needed. I try extremely hard to make sure my answers are correct, as well as
> complete. If I don't know the answer, or if I'm not absolutely sure, I won't
> reply. Few things bother me more than to know I have given some incorrect
> advise.
>
> Never the less, sometimes I do make mistakes. When I posted the instructions
> for converting a generator system to a GM alternator (for the TR3, TR4, TR4A,
> Spitfire MKI, MKII, MKIII, and the GT6MKI), I made an error. According to the
> information I had, the brown/yellow and the brown/green wires (yellow/green
> and yellow in the TR2 TR3, TR3A, or TR3B) going to the generator were the same
> size, and I based my instructions on that. I have since learned (today) that
> the brown/green wire is smaller than the brown/yellow (yellow/green is smaller
> than the yellow in the TR2 -3 series), and is really undersized even to carry
> the relatively small current in one of these cars. I don't believe there is
> any danger of imminent meltdown, but I am not at all comfortable with using
> the brown/green wire as specified.
>
> This only applies to cars that previously had generators - the alternator
> conversions are correct. If you have converted your car using the instructions
> I wrote, please upgrade the wiring as I suggested in the instructions, or
> rewire to the corrected instructions, to be posted soon. I will revise the
> instructions to use the larger brown/yellow wire, which is suited for carrying
> the normal current load. For the Spitfire and the GT6, the corrected
> instructions are almost as simple as before, but the TR series will be a
> little more complicated. The revised instructions will be similar in format to
> the present ones, in that there will be one set for using the existing wiring,
> with its limitations, and another for upgrading the wiring to use the full
> alternator capacity. I am leaving tomorrow for Atlanta, and I will be back
> Sunday evening. My first task Monday morning will be to make the corrections
> and get them to Ken Streeter and Tom Shirley for posting, but I wanted to give
> everyone a "heads-up" as soon as I was certain of my mistake.
>
> The other day I spotted a sign in front of a church that said "don't worry
> about being embarrassed, worry about being ashamed." Right now, I am both.
> More than that, though, I really feel bad that I have given some bum advice to
> folks who trust me.
>
> Dan Masters,
> Alcoa, TN
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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