Wiring Thoughtfully
By The Numbers
When I first acquired my Rover, the wiring was only functional enough to keep it running, and make one headlight glow. Even before I even knew who to get parts from, I had to rewire everything. I have lots of experience wiring swamp buggies, so I went that route.I wanted to protect everything I could from corrosion due to water intrusion. Switches are particuliarly susceptible to this, so I needed to relocate several. The original headlight/ignition switch had burned to a crisp, so I was at square one with no parts sources. From experience with aircraft, I know that the simplest switch has the greatest tolerance for abuse. So I chose toggle switches. I protected these with rubber boots.
So by the numbers, here it is.......
#1-This is only a spare toggle filling a previous owner mystery hole.
#2-This is my oil pressure lite. It came on the Rover, I'm not sure of it's origin, but it's a nice one.
#3-This is my headlight toggle switch. It is a dual circuit switch, one for bright, one for dim. Putting it here got the dimmer switch out of the wheelwell, preventing malfunctions, and simplifying the wiring.
#4-This toggle switch is for my running lights. I have dual filament bulbs in all the taillights, and use the tops for brakes, the bottoms for blinkers. I use the hydraulic brake light switch.
#5-This toggle switch controls the relay to the 55 watt halogen spotlights up front. I use halogens for the headlights as well. All the toggles use teflon washer spacers to allow them to be lit from behind at night.
#6-This is the original gauge cluster. All items are functional.
#7-This is the speedo, but then you guessed that, huh?
#8-This is a hole filler I made out of a Radioshack light and a couple of galvanized washers. Nonfunctional, except to fill a hole.
#9-This is the original Smith's oil & water combo gauge. It works.
#10-This is my starter button, from NAPA. I moved it up here to make it easier to reach, and to protect the other side of it.
#11-This is the ignition switch. I used two galvanized washers to fit it in the hole. It has on, off, and accessories capacity. I wired it so that when I turn it to off, every circuit is disabled.
#12-This is a power port that I use for the radio. A power port is more durable than a cigarette lighter, and should be used accordingly.
#13-This is another hole filler, an F-18 aircract pneumatic fitting this time.
#14-This is my heater switch. For a long time I used an on/off toggle, but for Christmas I treated myself to a rheostat. Beside it is some of our local fauna.
I know that some may think that I mangled my Rover by ridding it of the Lucas curse. I really don't care. I have found that over 90% of all breakdowns are electrical in nature. I call this act preservation, not mangling. I expect my wiring to do it's job a long time, as ordered. When Lucas can do that, I'll go Lucas.
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