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Garage Queens
image.jpgYes after three months of modifications refits and break downs I had reached a point where the handling and general feel of the car was getting to my liking.
So on Thursday I decided to give it a night run in to the Peak District,a superb warm and fine day ,top down and a tank full of fuel,now having main beam working It would be good to try it in the dark.
A run through Bakewell on to Monyash and to the Bull-in-Thorn for a nice stake and chips and a pint.
A super run over with quiet roads so gave it a little blast all seemed well ,then the return in darkness all was well until just out side Bakewell I had just overtaken a tractor on an unlit road ,Cd playing ,heater on ,main beam on all was well really enjoying the run.
Then it happened total electrical failure ,engine ,lights the lot not a flicker from anything.
Maximum braking ,pitch Black I could not see a thing ,unlit road ,down hill and a series of bends coming up ,had to keep going ,it was a narrow road and high hedges either side I could just about make out the white line at times so coasted down hill ,then I realised that the car didn't even have rear reflectors I just hoped that no car came up behind me fast ,a car came towards me and sounded its horn I was blinded again and just hoped I could see the white line again soon ,then I saw a street light about two hundred yards ahead on a side road I managed to Coast to it and stop.
That was one of the most frightening moments I have ever had in a car ,followed by a three hour wait for Green Flag.! !
Finally getting recovered to home at 2.30 am
The next day showed everything connected ,a quick run round with the volt meter found the fault.
An insignificant looking wire with an in line fuse blown .It turned out to be the main feed for the cars electrical system but far too thin for the amps required to run the electrics at night with everything on.It was also Black not red.
My electrician reckons it was rated at 25 amps but fitted with a 40 amp in line fuse,there was also evidence of over heating of the wire and fuse.
So easy fix With 60 amp rated wire and fuse.Red this time.
So on Thursday I decided to give it a night run in to the Peak District,a superb warm and fine day ,top down and a tank full of fuel,now having main beam working It would be good to try it in the dark.
A run through Bakewell on to Monyash and to the Bull-in-Thorn for a nice stake and chips and a pint.
A super run over with quiet roads so gave it a little blast all seemed well ,then the return in darkness all was well until just out side Bakewell I had just overtaken a tractor on an unlit road ,Cd playing ,heater on ,main beam on all was well really enjoying the run.
Then it happened total electrical failure ,engine ,lights the lot not a flicker from anything.
Maximum braking ,pitch Black I could not see a thing ,unlit road ,down hill and a series of bends coming up ,had to keep going ,it was a narrow road and high hedges either side I could just about make out the white line at times so coasted down hill ,then I realised that the car didn't even have rear reflectors I just hoped that no car came up behind me fast ,a car came towards me and sounded its horn I was blinded again and just hoped I could see the white line again soon ,then I saw a street light about two hundred yards ahead on a side road I managed to Coast to it and stop.
That was one of the most frightening moments I have ever had in a car ,followed by a three hour wait for Green Flag.! !
Finally getting recovered to home at 2.30 am
The next day showed everything connected ,a quick run round with the volt meter found the fault.
An insignificant looking wire with an in line fuse blown .It turned out to be the main feed for the cars electrical system but far too thin for the amps required to run the electrics at night with everything on.It was also Black not red.
My electrician reckons it was rated at 25 amps but fitted with a 40 amp in line fuse,there was also evidence of over heating of the wire and fuse.
So easy fix With 60 amp rated wire and fuse.Red this time.
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