[TR] TR3A Gauge Lights

[Scott Suhring]

I was not clear in my description, but yes, it is only the panel and gauges
that have the R/W wire.  From what I can tell, I need to run my own wire in
sequence and attach this to the panel switch. I am assuming then that the
one R/W wire coming from the harness is attached to the panel switch and
thus when the panel switch is turned on, it completes the circuit to the
series of bulbs. Since the original holders that go in the gauges have the
wires cut off and I cannot figure out how to remove the wire from the base
that is spring loaded, I'll give Moss a try on their holder.   TA

Scott Suhring
Mechanicsburg, PA
'70 TR6
'59 TR3

-----Original Message-----
From: Randall [mailto:tr3driver at ca.rr.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 8:09 AM
To: 'Scott Suhring'; 'Triumph Mail List'
Subject: RE: [TR] TR3A Gauge Lights

 

> What I cannot figure out is the 
> wiring for the Speedo and Tach lights, the two warning lights 
> and the two panel lights. On the wiring diagram, these are 
> all basically run in a series with the red/white wire.

Scott, I'm a little confused here.  The warning lights should be wired
totally separate from the panel/gauge lights.

Not sure how your replacement harness is done, but the original
configuration had two separate RW wires with the lamp sockets strung along
them.  One wire had the two sockets for the panel; while the other wire had
four sockets for the tach & speedo.  The two wires joined at the panel
switch/rheostat terminal; and were not wrapped into a harness with any other
wires.  Each one was literally one single wire, with the insulation stripped
off for a short distance where it was soldered/crimped to each bulb holder.

I note the Moss catalog specifically mentions that wiring harnesses do not
include "other leads not bound into the main harness"; perhaps BW had the
same policy ?

The red IGN warning lamp gets a yellow wire from the harness, and a separate
(non-harness) white wire from the ignition switch.

The yellow or green turn warning lamp gets a light green wire from the
harness, and a separate black wire to the ground point on the dash panel.
Note that these are also different bulb holders than the gauge/panel lamps;
with two terminals instead of one.

> Moss shows the sockets for the gauges 
> are available as well as the warning lights, but do they come 
> with the wiring in series or are they just the sockets,

Pretty sure they are only the sockets.

> and 
> if so, then how are you supposed to wire these?

If you wanted to use separate wires, it shouldn't be too hard to solder two
wires to each bulb holder.  But the above method of using a single wire
might be easier.

Randall