Electrics & Ancillaries (section under construction)

After lots of excellent advice, conversion  to 12 volts was chosen - with a simple diode based "regulator" from Nigel Coulter.

The dynamo being a third brush constant current machine is happy at either 6 of 12 volts provided the charge current is limited to prevent overheating. This was done by Nigel Coulter adjusting the third brush The starter motor is also happy with 6 of 12 volts, and indeed spins the engine with great vigour. New 12 volt coil and of course 12 volt bulbs were needed.

Refurbished starter showing armoured cables and speedo drive. Feed cable to switch panel secured beneath carpet	refurbished dynamo & distributor

This conversion has been a great success and results in instant starting as well as bright lighting (a major Austin Seven weakness overcome).

All wiring has been done using "armoured" cable as used originally. Modern repro cable is superb, consisting of high quality PVC insulated copper cable, wrapped in a strand of aluminium. This is very tough but great care has to be taken to ensure the aluminium wrap doesn't make contact by mistake. Each end's ali wrap was trimmed back and held in place with black heat shrink sleeve. Cable terminations were tinned or soldered to ring terminals. Since all the aluminium cables look the same, a simple colour stripe was used to aid identification - see below.

Wiring is secured traditionally - here behind bulkhead	An original junction box for head & side lamps - black / green is negative return. Copper tube feeds vacuum wiper.

Rear of main switch panel showing colour coded cables	Armoured cable & clips- including fake wiring to 6volt cut out. 12V Renault 4 battery

Windscreen wiper

The original Lucas vacuum motor was stripped, cleaned, new hide washers fitted and re-painted. Fed by a copper pipe to prevent hidden deterioration of the normal rubber hose.

Delightfully simple and effective after 78 years!	Satin black Hammerite finish - copper / rubber feed tubes

Horn

The original Benjamin horn was re-furbished, contacts cleaned and adjusted and fitted with high capacity dropper resistor for 12 volt operation.

Headlamps

Rare re-silvered original reflectors were matched to rare original headlamp glasses. Side and headlamp bulbs are now wired with negative return to eliminate potential voltage drops in the standard chassis negative return system. The 12volt bulbs provide excellent lighting (the 12 volt system does not suffer from the voltage drops in wiring that are the challenge with 6 volt systems).

Rear lamps

Reproduction period lamps were fitted with the larger lens required by law, these have modern 12v dual filament stop and tail bulbs fitted.

Armoured cable and separate earth strap ensure good connections. Fibre washer protects hand painted number plate