Lucas

[joecurto@aol.com]

I have just receives a very nice Lucas handbook called "Electricalities" the hand written date inside is 1935, the illustrations appear even earlier, it is sort of a handbook concerning itself with the care and feeding of various Lucas components. What I found interesting was that it showed the "adjustment" of the headlamp pattern of Prewar type headlamps like the ones on TCs and others. They have you sliding in and out the socket in the reflector to get a specific light beam, then you go on to adjusting the bucket. I had always thought you just installed the sockets and clamped it down Joe

[alan@somex.freeserve.co.uk]

Joe, if your replacement bulbs are identical in terms of filament position to those being replaced, it is unecessary to make any adjustment however if they are different it is essential to set the correct focal position to give the proper light pattern. to achieve this, the position of the filament must coincide with the focal point of the reflector. a filament behind the reflector focal point will give a divergent beam, and if in front of the reflector focal point will give a convergent pattern with a beam having a dark centre. the t series owners manual covers this point Alan Webster

--- In mg-tabc@y..., joecurto@a... wrote: > I have just receives a very nice Lucas handbook called "Electricalities" the > hand written date inside is 1935, the illustrations appear even earlier, it > is sort of a handbook concerning itself with the care and feeding of various > Lucas components. What I found interesting was that it showed the > "adjustment" of the headlamp pattern of Prewar type headlamps like the ones > on TCs and others. They have you sliding in and out the socket in the > reflector to get a specific light beam, then you go on to adjusting the > bucket. I had always thought you just installed the sockets and clamped it > down > > Joe

[candahill@worldnet.att.net]

That was back in the old days before the modern convenience of "prefocused" light bulbs. Charles Hill

> I have just receives a very nice Lucas handbook called "Electricalities" the > hand written date inside is 1935, the illustrations appear even earlier, it > is sort of a handbook concerning itself with the care and feeding of various > Lucas components. What I found interesting was that it showed the > "adjustment" of the headlamp pattern of Prewar type headlamps like the ones > on TCs and others. They have you sliding in and out the socket in the > reflector to get a specific light beam, then you go on to adjusting the > bucket. I had always thought you just installed the sockets and clamped it > down > > Joe

[Chip Old]

On Fri, 14 Sep 2001 joecurto@aol.com wrote:

> I have just receives a very nice Lucas handbook called > "Electricalities" the hand written date inside is 1935, the > illustrations appear even earlier, it is sort of a handbook concerning > itself with the care and feeding of various Lucas components. What I > found interesting was that it showed the "adjustment" of the headlamp > pattern of Prewar type headlamps like the ones on TCs and others. They > have you sliding in and out the socket in the reflector to get a > specific light beam, then you go on to adjusting the bucket. I had > always thought you just installed the sockets and clamped it down

Nope, you have to focus them before clamping. That's why so many TCs have such poor forward lighting. -- Chip Old 1948 M.G. TC TC6710 XPAG7430 NEMGTR #2271 Cub Hill, Maryland 1962 Triumph TR4 CT3154LO CT3479E fold@bcpl.net

[Tombutlercpa@cs.com]

While we are on the topic of focusing our headlamps I thought I might drop in 2 cents worth. My TC has Lucas cats eye lenses. They seem identical. Is this correct? The car came with one head lamp bulb which was non Lucas. Rather than two straight filaments, one filament is V shaped. It focuses well and provides much more light than the Lucas bulb. I have not been able to find one of these through the usual suppliers (Moss or Abington spares). Does anyone have an idea where I may find more of these? To adjust my head lights I remove the lens and adjust the lamp inside the reflector until the black spot disappears at about eight feet from the garage wall. Does anyone know of a better method? How far should the reflector be from the wall? Any more tricks? I get head lamp aiming by driving the car at night and playing around until I get the maximum illumination of the road with high beams on. So far no complaints from on coming drivers. The wires weren't matched inside the headlamps when I first checked them, one would be on high when the other was on low. I have them matched now but wonder which position the high beam switch should be in for high beams, right or left? Looking forward to your responses. Tom Butler

[Jeff & Merryl Redman]

G'day Joe! Got one too! 'Electricalities'... quaint. period, and bloody useless these days. There's a bloke here in South Oz who can supply headlight bulbs with the standard TA/TC socket fitting (plugs into the scrupulously standard mounting in the reflector but has up-front a modern halogen 'bulb'. I've got them fitted and for the first time in 40 years I have people in modern Asian turnips flashing their hi-beams in protest to my TC's brilliance at night!' Rule Britannia! I can now drive on roads using ilumination rather than memory. Way to go. Contact Anthony Pearson in South Australia for details he's a "brilliant" bloke in more ways than one!!! Regards Jeff TA2828 TC3306

----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] joecurto@aol.com [b]To:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Saturday, September 15, 2001 2:18 AM [b]Subject:[/b] [mg-tabc] Lucas I have just receives a very nice Lucas handbook called "Electricalities" the hand written date inside is 1935, the illustrations appear even earlier, it is sort of a handbook concerning itself with the care and feeding of various Lucas components. What I found interesting was that it showed the "adjustment" of the headlamp pattern of Prewar type headlamps like the ones on TCs and others. They have you sliding in and out the socket in the reflector to get a specific light beam, then you go on to adjusting the bucket. I had always thought you just installed the sockets and clamped it down Joe Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[David Lodge]

Joe, Took me a while before I got it, too! 1704 came with Wipac (remember them, UK listers?) sealed beams, and I've been trying to get some original reflectors ever since. I sort of jury-rigged some LB 140 reflectors. Same set-up! Regards, David Lodge joecurto@aol.com wrote:

I have just receives a very nice Lucas handbook called "Electricalities" the hand written date inside is 1935, the illustrations appear even earlier, it is sort of a handbook concerning itself with the care and feeding of various Lucas components. What I found interesting was that it showed the "adjustment" of the headlamp pattern of Prewar type headlamps like the ones on TCs and others. They have you sliding in and out the socket in the reflector to get a specific light beam, then you go on to adjusting the bucket. I had always thought you just installed the sockets and clamped it down

Joe Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[John Patterson]

-----Original Message----- From: Bernard Thompson [mailto:bjth2@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 6:28 PM To: TCPhoto@aol.com; ac907@tcnet.org; allrover@voyager.net; artzway@juno.com; Babygalv8@aol.com; bgsawman1@juno.com; Billhendry@aol.com; bjth2@att.net; bobking@benzie.com; BURNESFAUX@aol.com; carolyn@torchlake.com; CKWISHMEIER@cs.com; cobbwebs@traverse.net; Cp1492@aol.com; CPKCPA@aol.com; dickwhit@traverse.net; dshapton@coslink.net; FSommerman@aol.com; hillquis@benzie.com; jim&jeanne@torchlake.com; JIMSTR6@aol.com; Jimudgett@aol.com; Jmurray1@aol.com; jwp-mgtc@aliens.com; kesslernorth@hotmail.com; lastresort@torchlake.com; lkkgjohn@traverse.net; MBSCHULTZV@aol.com; MERRILLBEV@aol.com; MIS2529@aol.com; mprine@remc12.k12.mi.us; njohnson@voyager.net; Olderick@aol.com; OrloNelson@aol.com; pmurray@infinitecom.com; rblanch@traverse.com; rguyot@traverse.net; rzonderman34@hotmail.com; scharmen@traverse.com; scrater@rocketmail.com; shempi@torchlake.com; snjniemi@triton.net; stewzack@traverse.net; talenger@iserv.net; TCFallers@aol.com; Tedseven@torchlake.com; Thomas8475@aol.com; tigotts@webtv.net; tnelson@nmc.edu; toby@megsinet.net; windwardshore@torchlake.com; WLEEINMC@aol.com; wood4nrg@chartermi.net Subject: Lucas The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark." Lucas denies having invented darkness. But they still claim "sudden, unexpected darkness" Lucas--inventor of the first intermittent wiper. Lucas--inventor of the self-dimming headlamp. The three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE. The original anti-theft devices--Lucas Electric products. "I've had a Lucas pacemaker for years and have never experienced any prob... If Lucas made guns, wars would not start either. Did you hear about the Lucas powered torpedo? It sank. It's not true that Lucas, in 1947, tried to get Parliament to repeal Ohm's Law. They withdrew their efforts when they met too much resistance. Did you hear the one about the guy that peeked into a Rover and asked the owner "How can you tell one switch from another at night, since they all look the same?" "He replied, it doesn't matter which one you use, nothing happens!" Back in the '70s Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product they offered which didn't suck. Quality Assurance phoned and advised the Engineering guy that they had trouble with his design shorting out. So he made the wires longer. Why do the English drink warm beer? Lucas made the refrigerators, too. Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone. Thomas Edison invented the Light Bulb. Joseph Lucas invented the Short Circuit. Recommended procedure before taking on a repair of Lucas equipment: check the position of the stars, kill a chicken and walk three times sunwise around your car chanting: "Oh mighty Prince of Darkness protect your unworthy servant." Lucas systems actually uses AC current; it just has a random frequency.

[Zissel-Kreuztal@t-online.de]

Hard (but funny) words! Normally, as a german, I have to be proud of our Bosch electrics. But I must admit that these "Prince of Darkness" had never produced a technical breakdown or other problems. Not in my MGA and also not in my current car, the TC. A satisfied Lucas User lozi, TC 3762 John Patterson schrieb:

> -----Original Message----- > From: Bernard Thompson [mailto:bjth2@worldnet.att.net] > Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 6:28 PM > To: TCPhoto@aol.com; ac907@tcnet.org; allrover@voyager.net; > artzway@juno.com; Babygalv8@aol.com; bgsawman1@juno.com; > Billhendry@aol.com; bjth2@att.net; bobking@benzie.com; > BURNESFAUX@aol.com; carolyn@torchlake.com; CKWISHMEIER@cs.com; > cobbwebs@traverse.net; Cp1492@aol.com; CPKCPA@aol.com; > dickwhit@traverse.net; dshapton@coslink.net; FSommerman@aol.com; > hillquis@benzie.com; jim&jeanne@torchlake.com; JIMSTR6@aol.com; > Jimudgett@aol.com; Jmurray1@aol.com; jwp-mgtc@aliens.com; > kesslernorth@hotmail.com; lastresort@torchlake.com; > lkkgjohn@traverse.net; MBSCHULTZV@aol.com; MERRILLBEV@aol.com; > MIS2529@aol.com; mprine@remc12.k12.mi.us; njohnson@voyager.net; > Olderick@aol.com; OrloNelson@aol.com; pmurray@infinitecom.com; > rblanch@traverse.com; rguyot@traverse.net; rzonderman34@hotmail.com; > scharmen@traverse.com; scrater@rocketmail.com; shempi@torchlake.com; > snjniemi@triton.net; stewzack@traverse.net; talenger@iserv.net; > TCFallers@aol.com; Tedseven@torchlake.com; Thomas8475@aol.com; > tigotts@webtv.net; tnelson@nmc.edu; toby@megsinet.net; > windwardshore@torchlake.com; WLEEINMC@aol.com; wood4nrg@chartermi.net > Subject: Lucas > > The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark." > Lucas denies having invented darkness. But they still claim "sudden, > unexpected darkness" > Lucas--inventor of the first intermittent wiper. > Lucas--inventor of the self-dimming headlamp. > The three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three > switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE. > The original anti-theft devices--Lucas Electric products. > "I've had a Lucas pacemaker for years and have never experienced any prob... > > If Lucas made guns, wars would not start either. > Did you hear about the Lucas powered torpedo? It sank. > It's not true that Lucas, in 1947, tried to get Parliament to repeal Ohm's > Law. They withdrew their efforts when they met too much resistance. > Did you hear the one about the guy that peeked into a Rover and asked > the owner "How can you tell one switch from another at night, since they all > look the same?" "He replied, it doesn't matter which one you use, nothing > happens!" > Back in the '70s Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began > manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product they offered which > didn't suck. > Quality Assurance phoned and advised the Engineering guy that they had > trouble with his design shorting out. So he made the wires longer. > Why do the English drink warm beer? Lucas made the refrigerators, too. > Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone. > Thomas Edison invented the Light Bulb. > Joseph Lucas invented the Short Circuit. > Recommended procedure before taking on a repair of Lucas equipment: check > the position of the stars, kill a chicken and walk three times sunwise > around your car chanting: "Oh mighty Prince of Darkness protect your > unworthy servant." > Lucas systems actually uses AC current; it just has a random frequency. > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Tom Poole]

I concur with the view of our German compatriot. Most Lucas electric problems I have experienced were from lack of proper maintaince or common sense( my own) or age(the cars). "Prince of Darkness" jokes are funny though and certainly provide a convenient scapegoat. Another satisfied Lucas user Tom Poole TC 7563, L 0414, PA 1510, Y 6877 & MGB V8--All with Lucas electrics

----- Original Message ----- From: Zissel-Kreuztal@t-online.de> To: mg-tabc mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 7:02 AM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] FW: Lucas > Hard (but funny) words! Normally, as a german, I have to be proud of our > Bosch electrics. But I must admit that these "Prince of Darkness" had > never produced a technical breakdown or other problems. Not in my MGA > and also not in my current car, the TC. > > A satisfied Lucas User > lozi, TC 3762 > > John Patterson schrieb: > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Bernard Thompson [mailto:bjth2@worldnet.att.net] > > Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 6:28 PM > > To: TCPhoto@aol.com; ac907@tcnet.org; allrover@voyager.net; > > artzway@juno.com; Babygalv8@aol.com; bgsawman1@juno.com; > > Billhendry@aol.com; bjth2@att.net; bobking@benzie.com; > > BURNESFAUX@aol.com; carolyn@torchlake.com; CKWISHMEIER@cs.com; > > cobbwebs@traverse.net; Cp1492@aol.com; CPKCPA@aol.com; > > dickwhit@traverse.net; dshapton@coslink.net; FSommerman@aol.com; > > hillquis@benzie.com; jim&jeanne@torchlake.com; JIMSTR6@aol.com; > > Jimudgett@aol.com; Jmurray1@aol.com; jwp-mgtc@aliens.com; > > kesslernorth@hotmail.com; lastresort@torchlake.com; > > lkkgjohn@traverse.net; MBSCHULTZV@aol.com; MERRILLBEV@aol.com; > > MIS2529@aol.com; mprine@remc12.k12.mi.us; njohnson@voyager.net; > > Olderick@aol.com; OrloNelson@aol.com; pmurray@infinitecom.com; > > rblanch@traverse.com; rguyot@traverse.net; rzonderman34@hotmail.com; > > scharmen@traverse.com; scrater@rocketmail.com; shempi@torchlake.com; > > snjniemi@triton.net; stewzack@traverse.net; talenger@iserv.net; > > TCFallers@aol.com; Tedseven@torchlake.com; Thomas8475@aol.com; > > tigotts@webtv.net; tnelson@nmc.edu; toby@megsinet.net; > > windwardshore@torchlake.com; WLEEINMC@aol.com; wood4nrg@chartermi.net > > Subject: Lucas > > > > The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark." > > Lucas denies having invented darkness. But they still claim "sudden, > > unexpected darkness" > > Lucas--inventor of the first intermittent wiper. > > Lucas--inventor of the self-dimming headlamp. > > The three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three > > switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE. > > The original anti-theft devices--Lucas Electric products. > > "I've had a Lucas pacemaker for years and have never experienced any prob... > > > > If Lucas made guns, wars would not start either. > > Did you hear about the Lucas powered torpedo? It sank. > > It's not true that Lucas, in 1947, tried to get Parliament to repeal Ohm's > > Law. They withdrew their efforts when they met too much resistance. > > Did you hear the one about the guy that peeked into a Rover and asked > > the owner "How can you tell one switch from another at night, since they all > > look the same?" "He replied, it doesn't matter which one you use, nothing > > happens!" > > Back in the '70s Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began > > manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product they offered which > > didn't suck. > > Quality Assurance phoned and advised the Engineering guy that they had > > trouble with his design shorting out. So he made the wires longer. > > Why do the English drink warm beer? Lucas made the refrigerators, too. > > Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone. > > Thomas Edison invented the Light Bulb. > > Joseph Lucas invented the Short Circuit. > > Recommended procedure before taking on a repair of Lucas equipment: check > > the position of the stars, kill a chicken and walk three times sunwise > > around your car chanting: "Oh mighty Prince of Darkness protect your > > unworthy servant." > > Lucas systems actually uses AC current; it just has a random frequency. > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >