TR2/3/3A TR3A Electrical Questions

[PatGalvin]

As I put my TR3A back together, I'm going to have a lot of electrical questions. So I thought I'd start a thread for this and return to this thread each time I had a question. Here's my first.

Attached photo is of the rear turn signal lamp housing. For what purpose is the sheet metal clip (looks like kind of a smashed loop) on the side of the lamp housing? AND;

What is a good way to ground this housing? The star washer isn't likely going to dig through the epoxy primer and paint and find body metal. This question will apply to the brake light lamp housing and the license plate lamp housing too. Run an accessory ground wire and screw it into where?

Thanks - I know these questions are basic but I'm sure this post will help some other TR owner.

Pat

 

[TomMull]

I believe that piece used to be the ground. It should accept a bullet terminal. Tom

 

[TR3driver]

I agree, but it might be time to find a new socket. That piece should be formed into a complete loop, while it appears that someone has flattened yours out for some reason.

There was not originally a ground wire to any of the rear lamps, they all relied on the (unreliable) connection through the mounting screws and clip nuts. I highly recommend building a harness that daisy-chains to each fixture in turn (they all should have provisions for a ground wire) and runs to a good solid ground. I used one of the fuel tank mounting bolts for mine.

PS, it would probably be better to start a new thread for each question, and put some information about the question in the title. Many newcomers will search through existing posts to find the answers they want, and it is a lot easier when the title reflects the question (and answer). There are also those (like myself) who tend to check each thread once and then not necessarily read all the answers. So they may not see your new questions.

PPS, this would also be a good time to build a ground wire for the fuel tank sender. The tank is supposed to be mounted in felt, so it doesn't make a good electrical ground.

 

[Jerry]

Pat,
Grab the end of the the metal with needle nose pliers and make a twist to wrap around a bullet. Even the new ones don't fit the bullets well and require some adjustment.
Jerry

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

I added grounds to each socket as Randal suggests and ran them to a lug where i also grounded the fuel sender -i used the unused threaded hole in the rear that should be used for the occasional seat bracket. I also added a 3rd brake light mounted to my trunk rack and powered it by drilling through the trunk handle. I hope it all lasts. I also coated each connection with some 'grease' designed for electrical connections, its supposed to help keep moisture out, but it also aids in assembly.

 

[PatGalvin]

Thanks Randall for the thread advice and the electrical ground advice. And thanks to the Jerrys too. Texas Jerry, how did you add grounds to each socket? Did you just use the loop and add a bullet connector and tie to ground or did you modify the socket in some way to accept a better quality ground? I like using the "bulb grease" for electrical work. It does indeed make assembly and especially reassembly much easier.

pat

 

[TR3driver]

All of the sockets should already have receptacles for bullet connectors, for the grounds. They were originally shipped with a cheesy sheet metal bullet in there (apparently intended to have the wire folded over the outside to lock it in place), but I prefer to use the solder/crimp style bullets (available from the usual suspects).

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

You know, I had to look at my pictures because I don't remember doing anything special. -Except I did add bullets to a bunch of short lengths of black wire, and used a few extra 4-way connectors inside the trunk. It seems a little messy, until it's done and you can tie wrap it all up neatly. I'm pretty sure each of the sockets has a place for the ground. It is just another place to stick a bullet into, and it is electrically (and physically) connected to the frame of the socket, but relying on the screws to make the electrical connection to the body is not such a good idea. -It will probably work for a while, but some things are easier to do properly the first time. I can't add a picture again for some odd reason, but I doubt one is needed anyway. ...and I see Randal beat me to it..