Started the week by moving the starter motor positive cable over to the terminal next to the battery positive, which cured the volt drop at the cable terminal. The starter motor now engages but there is insufficient power in the batteries to turn the engine over, so replacements will be ordered next month. I then drilled the connection box for the indicators and ran the five-core cable up the cab door pillar to the junction box above the cab door. The next task was to bind together with heat shrink the three large cables that go up the rearward cab door pillar, two being power cables to the lighting panel and the other being a three-conductor multicore to the indicator junction box. I fixed them to the bulkhead alongside the cab door with hand made brass straps. Adding the two-core wire for the flasher unit meant I was able to test the indicator circuit, with success. A this point I decided the indicator switch was the wrong way round compared with the MW, so that needs corrected that. Final jobs of the week were to remove the interior lights switch panel from its base and temporary reattach it to the cab bulkhead so I could lay in the wiring to the flasher unit and set the route for the multicore from the indicator junction box back to the main control box. This required a minor alteration to the switch box base board to accommodate the cable. I also noted an oil and paper 0.5uF capacitor on the base, not certain of it’s purpose but I will replace it with a modern one as it is leaking. It appears to be connected across the 24v supply on the switch box. I also applied a third, darker coat of undercoat to the new front wing.
Tag Archives: cab
1/6/2025
Another relatively slow start to the week. Painted another coat of silver on the underside of the new O/S wing and around the aperture for the new battery trays. I also plugged all the screw holes for mounting the trays and covers. I should have done the rear two as well but forgot about them! Made a start on the control box, blowing as much dust off as possible then removed the top panel for cleaning and painting or polishing. I took out all of the screws,and with a bit of gentle persuasion it came off, having corroded slightly to the steel switch plate. I also primed then painted the side panel for the box with engine black, two coats, and put it to one side to cure properly. I next thoroughly cleaned the top panel and removed the blanking plates and plug, and the surround for the starter switch, (theses being pressed in) and painted it with hammerite. I have ordered an ammeter, as there appears to be provision for one and space on the large cover for it. I have also ordered a voltmeter for the top panel. I stripped the paint and rust from the large cover for the control box and spent some time adjusting it so it will fit properly. A coat of “number one rust beater” primer was next, followed by a coat of green Hammerite on the inside surface. I then had to make two sliders to replace the missing ones for the control box switches, the originals were 0.8mm nickel silver, so after a failed attempt in aluminium I used 0.75mm brass which worked well. Not a bad week’s progress, considering I lost two days work for other things.
13/4/2025
Started the week working on the MW’s rear axle oil seals. I can see lots of places where axle oil could have seeped out, as it’s all so worn in there, but am proceeding slowly by cleaning everything down and renewing gaskets where appropriate. I did have another go at painting the top bar of the cab window, still not perfect so I may try once more time. I cut the bases for the battery boxes, A simple job that was more trouble than expected, then started on the sides. Not much progress this week due to other commitments, although Geoff Brown messaged to say the front wing parts were ready, so collecting that will be one of the first jobs next week.