I started this week by modifiyng the connection points of the new control box panel switches so as to match the connections from the control box. Some alteration to the wiring of the control box was also necessary, due to the slightly different dimensions of the new switches. I decided the best way to do this was to mount all the switches on the support panel first, then fit that and complete the wiring after. In between doing this, I decided that the battery cable problem (too short) would be simply solved by mounting an isolator switch to a bracket bolted through the bottom rail of the body frame, just to the rear of the front O/S wheelarch. Work continued with fitting the top panel up with the starter and toggle switched, a slow process requiring minor alterations to components. As a break from that, I marked out the bracket for the isolator switch, which had arrived by then. The weather being very hot this week meant time spent in the bus shed was restricted, but the following tasks completed: soldering a ring tag to the end of the battery cable that will go from the isolator switch to the control box and making a suitable bracket to mount the isolator switch to the bottom outer frame rail, for which I used 2mm galvanised steel left over from the battery boxes. Last jobs of the week were to modify and fit the last panel switch and paint the isolator bracket ready for assembly and installation.
Tag Archives: electrical
15/6/2025
A good start to the week, with all the battery cables now recovered and ready to fit. A good find by Ian on eBay was three replacement toggle switches for the control box top panel. I wasted a bit of time playing with the ammeter and various shunts, then fitted the nearside battery box, after spending some time hoovering underneath the bus so I could work there. The offside battery box was next, but despite having trial fitted it before, opening in the floor needed relieving. A brief hiccup occurred when I suffered a vertigo attack whilst under the bus, trying to feed the battery cable through to the cab. Progress was thus slow thereafter, I made an extension board for the positive cable but am weighing up the pros and cons of using it. I think a better plan would be to fit a battery isolator switch, which I have ordered.
19/1/2025
Started the week by stripping paint from the parts of the sliding frame of the cab window. I also prepared the first of the wheel rings for primer and applied red oxide to one side. The next day I applied the second coat of primer to the first set of rings, stripped all but the bottom section of the sliding pane and mixed the black cellulose for the wheels. I managed to spray the insides of four wheels the following day. Whilst the results were poor, a matt finish due to the cold and damp weather, this is ultimately of no consquence as I shall finish them in black enamel in due course. I managed to partially spray the first set of rings, too. I also primed the two verticals for the sliding pane. After that, I needed a rest from solvents so ran the cable that carries the rear light feeds from the box in the boot as far as the switch for the boot light, pending the arrival of some more cable clips. I next cleaned and primed the remainder of the frame parts for the sliding pane of the cab window and measured up the O/S of the bus for the beading. Final job of the week was to finish cleaning and polishing the glass for the sliding pain of the cab window and spray some of the frame brown.