invacar LightBulbFun's Invacar & general ramble thread, index on page 1, survivors lists on Pages 24/134 & AdgeCutler's Invacar Mk12 Restoration from Page 186 onwards, still harping on...

[Mr Pastry]

Don't forget that there is a large idiot safety factor in car electrics, there has to be.   The basic purpose of the fuses is to stop the wiring catching fire, and just about any fuse will do that.  

[auntiemaryscanary]

On 13/12/2024 at 14:09, LightBulbFun said:

thats is partly why I was wondering if anyone does a blade fuse equivalent of the same footprint, so I can fit one without having to modify any mountings/drill anymore holes through the bulkhead  (tho part of me is tempted to replace it like for like, glass fuses do have a larger contact area then a blade fuse, which is generally a better thing, but then again glass fuses dont grow on trees anymore tho one could always carry a few spares, swings and roundabouts I suppose!) 

although in typing this I realised to replace the fuse holder I think there is likely going to have a nut on the other side of the bulkhead to undo it, which I am not sure one can actually do on your own? (since you would need to undo the nut/screw from inside the car while holding the nut with a spanner on the other side!) something to look into, but it might well just be easier to see if the existing one will clean up, as trying to replace it might well be a PITA for me...

If you do replace the fuse box would a "nutsert" suffice? You'd still need to get the old one out but maybe you could cut or drill out the old bolt.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387635821646?_skw=nutsert+tool&itmmeta=01JF31ZAPGSTP9K54B52HGB9ZJ&hash=item5a40e53c4e:g:XnkAAOSwhcJnPsy9&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKm3KIYL0cpo2rIz6brWBtJU97TEZOEhpPtjvx9fPiCXYWuBKt61%2BmFSuvbtOFqMqF%2BnATNlTikkZbzfNQQMwxaydMjhtkNXvshFtWiWBz0wF0iusAunonLKR6%2FSc%2F5dRHkZ7gUuuKomrjvjzHoWdaKeztZkxk9DEtdXkh0xM5aq0XSwKs3h7rvaWxX4CHaoPnNCaPzNnOfUxxkCCqAQnUtWY6hhO8APCeFGfc9fuASWRy3t10TwbzV0oU9nGfFKqUo%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6yr_eH4ZA

Assuming the bulkhead is steel a couple of new small holes and rivet it on?

[Zelandeth]

Just for reference, here's what I see in TPA with headlights on and the revs brought up enough to bring the charging system properly into play.

Jumps up to a smidge under 14V without any loads on.  I can't remember precisely where this is wired into as it was five years ago I did it, but it's clearly from one of the switched live feeds under the dash. 

[LightBulbFun]

another day, another trip out in REV  

first to a bakery, 

for some particular special bread that my mum likes/wanted

then I went via the shops to get some stuff, still no hot chocolate sadly! 

and then went to pickup some luggage for someone, from a train station so it did not have to be dragged about the place, and then home  

voltage regulator is continuing  to work, im seeing a nice 13.5V when pottering about at ~20Mph, which I think is pretty good/healthy?  

[Mrs6C]

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

and then went to pickup some luggage for someone, from a train station

No photos of REV with trains?

[LightBulbFun]

36 minutes ago, Mrs6C said:

No photos of REV with trains?

not this time im afraid, in-fact I am wondering now are there any stations in London you can park your car next to the trains with? everything is some form either underground or elevated above ground or away from the roads 

 

in fact I still remember when I was growing up the first time I came across a level crossing and marvelling at it as they dont really exist here!

[Mrs6C]

14 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

are there any stations in London you can park your car next to the trains with?

There are a few, but not many now.

There's one in Highams Park, with a few parking spaces outside the adjacent ice cream parlour:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bS6NVmYrVjXj8yLR7

There are two in quick succession on Bollo Lane in Acton, but nowhere really to park nearby, unless you did a cheeky pause in the gateway of the now closed Scuderia Supercars premises...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kNrS6wWG5h3uqSnYA

There used to be at least one on the old Silvertown tramway in Silvertown. It was operational until the mid-80s and the tracks and crossing gates lingered into the 2000s, but all are gone now.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a1Keo7B5EbWMgWJ86

Some photos of how it used to be, here:
https://www.urban75.org/railway/silvertown.html

A layby on the Orient Way, Leyton could get you a photo of REV with some Eurostar stock, albeit with a metal fence in between...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/32hBVQa9pQ2tECQc8

Perhaps the nicest one would be to park next to heritage trains at North Weald station, on the Epping Ongar Railway. It looks to be about 17 miles from you, via some nice scenic A and B roads through Epping Forest. Worth doing that sometime at a weekend, on a railway and/or bus running day. The A104, B1393 and B181 would get you there:
https://www.eorailway.co.uk/

[JJ0063]

5 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

 

 

You need to work on your parking skills mate, Jesus 😮

[High Jetter]

6 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Just for reference, here's what I see in TPA with headlights on and the revs brought up enough to bring the charging system properly into play.

Jumps up to a smidge under 14V without any loads on.  I can't remember precisely where this is wired into as it was five years ago I did it, but it's clearly from one of the switched live feeds under the dash. 

Smiths gauges, with the (can't remember the brand) accessory gauge mount?

[NorthernMonkey]

54 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

You need to work on your parking skills mate, Jesus 😮

I was stood in that very spot the other day, right outside Beigel Bake! 😂

[loserone]

Late to the party but well done on kicking the DVLA into touch.

 

Also, is it just me or are one in five pictures of rev on double yellow lines?

[Mr Pastry]

37 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

(can't remember the brand) accessory gauge mount?

I can't remember either, but I have an original vintage one in my 106.  Makes it go a lot faster, and note the deluxe leather grain finish!  The voltmeter sits at 14v running normally, this is of course with an alternator but seems comparable to the dynamo behaviour.   Switched live is taken from the  radio feed.

 

 

[adw1977]

44 minutes ago, loserone said:

Also, is it just me or are one in five pictures of rev on double yellow lines?

Natural habitat for an Invacar!  Blue badge allows parking on double yellows (with some exceptions) doesn’t it?

[JJ0063]

2 minutes ago, adw1977 said:

Natural habitat for an Invacar!  Blue badge allows parking on double yellows (with some exceptions) doesn’t it?

Don’t think it allows you to park across half of brick lane which is a single lane road 😂

[High Jetter]

23 minutes ago, Mr Pastry said:

I can't remember either, but I have an original vintage one in my 106.  Makes it go a lot faster, and note the deluxe leather grain finish!  The voltmeter sits at 14v running normally, this is of course with an alternator but seems comparable to the dynamo behaviour.   Switched live is taken from the  radio feed.

 

 

My guess is Paddy Hopkirk, but further research when sober.

[MT606]

loverly decor...looks like new york in the 1980s....also I'd keep an eye out, some bird looks like she wants to nab ya ride....

[LightBulbFun]

41 minutes ago, adw1977 said:

Natural habitat for an Invacar!  Blue badge allows parking on double yellows (with some exceptions) doesn’t it?

for up to 3 hours (hence the clock on the dashboard also) although in London you have to be extra careful since there are a few boroughs where the blue badge (apart from in disabled parking bays if you can find one) does not apply at all, which I cant help but feel is a little bit discriminatory to the disabled in that im surprised they are allowed to ban the use of a disability aid like that, but then London has always been a bit of a law unto itself, but I digress! also in general (ie not just in London) if there are loading restrictions in place also (indicated by the single or double yellow kerb markings) your not allowed to park there with a blue badge, hence why in this photo im parked on the road opposite in pay-and-display parking bay  

37 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

Don’t think it allows you to park across half of brick lane which is a single lane road 😂

as long as your not obstructing traffic its generally fine (baring the restrictions mentioned above of course), as you can see from the photo of the black cab along side REV there was still enough space for traffic to flow through  (it certainly helps that REV is nice and small!) 

[Pieman]

24 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

 

 

Your vet could be a distant relative of me

[quicksilver]

@LightBulbFun look what's just been uploaded to Flickr! I knew there had to be a photo of the elusive MHJ54P out there somewhere.

For those who haven't followed the full thread, this is the only known example of a non-Invacar registered in the middle of a block of Invacars (MHJ11-110P). That colour even looks a bit like Invacar blue!

[cort1977]

On 14/12/2024 at 11:42, danthecapriman said:

I did have some dealings with the US version, or DMV as they call it. 
But, as you say, some other countries systems are not as efficient as ours is. In the states they have the DMV but you have to remember the USA is a big country so each state tend to have their own DMV’s with their own rules and regulations. I’d guess something must tie them all in together somewhere though.

It took months to get this done! So DVLA are very very good by comparison. Although in fairness we do have a much smaller country and less vehicles to deal with!

"I’d guess something must tie them all in together somewhere though."

No, it's a complete cluster that's devolved to each state and often to the county office in each state especially in the South. Any attempt to have a national database would get the whole 'states rights' lobby up in arms. They won't have a register of assault rifles so they're hardly going to worry about cars!

British people have no idea how good the DVLA are, try getting a licence and a vehicle registered in other countries like France, Italy, USA or even Australia and you will quickly realise that our system is excellent.

 

 

 

[lesapandre]

Complicated in France indeed. Needs proof of address, recent MoT (within six months), proof of identity - and proof of insurance as well as a declaration of sale by previous owner and existing registration doc. It's also taxed so the fee can be several hundreds of €'s. Part of the reason people change their cars less often.

[danthecapriman]

23 minutes ago, cort1977 said:

"I’d guess something must tie them all in together somewhere though."

No, it's a complete cluster that's devolved to each state and often to the county office in each state especially in the South. Any attempt to have a national database would get the whole 'states rights' lobby up in arms. They won't have a register of assault rifles so they're hardly going to worry about cars!

British people have no idea how good the DVLA are, try getting a licence and a vehicle registered in other countries like France, Italy, USA or even Australia and you will quickly realise that our system is excellent.

 

 

 

It was a long winded load of old shite when I had to go through it all. I think I got quite lucky really as the guy I bought the car from knew a few contacts in the Illinois DMV which helped massively.

But, if nothing exists to tie them together nationwide, what happens if you drive a Florida registered car into Texas (as an example) and do something wrong. In theory it could be very difficult for the authorities to find who it was and whose car it was? As it’s across state borders that aren’t interlinked.

[wuvvum]

I would assume there's a similar sort of co-operation between states as there is in the EU.  Also if you do something really wrong the FBI will get involved...

[New POD]

On 13/12/2024 at 14:23, LightBulbFun said:

proper Lucas ones sadly dont, the ones at Halfords IIRC are non Lucas types, which gets a bit scary, because a "35A" Lucas fuse like the sort used in a Model 70 is only rated for 17A continuous , 35A is its blow rating, but I have seen many people vehicles (including @dollywobbler's own TWC) were someone has replaced it with a non Lucas 35A *continuous* fuse which could lead to a dangerous overload scenario before the fuse blows (35A is more then what the entire Dynastart unit is rated to output)

this is something that I do wonder how many people actually realise is something they need to watch out for when it comes to replacing Lucas fuses? (that their rating is their Blow rating not their continuous rating) 

Back when Lucas Industries Plc existed, I visited a sister plant in Newcastle under Lyne ( Stoke on Trent) to view their robotic assembly machines for fuse boxes.  By that time everything had been blade fuses for years. Which are perfect for pick and place off the end of a bowl feeder.  They didn't make the fuses themselves. I can imagine that at some point they would have made their own glass fuses in the 1930s to.1970s because most factories were so vertically integrated, they had a garden that produced carrots for the canteen. 

The Lucas Name and Trademarks has been purchased long ago by some firm that basically rebadges Chinese shite. 

TRW and Delphi and ZF mainly own the automotive bits and Collins (Goodrich/UTC/Ratheon) Aerospace and RR plc mainly own the aerospace stuff.  

[danthecapriman]

@LightBulbFun great to see your out and about a lot in the Invacare!(😄)

One thing though, do you worry at all about the road salt? 
It gets to this time of year and I shit myself at the prospect of the damn stuff wrecking my cars so I take them off the road.

[lesapandre]

Very rare any inner-London roads are gritted in the winter. Rarely does it go below 0° here.  

[mintwth]

17 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

are there any stations in London you can park your car next to the trains with?

Can't really remember but don't Gunnersbury and Hayes&Harlington have track level car parks? Not that either could be described as picturesque. 

More station than trains but think you can still stop on the A4206 bridge round the back of Paddington. Used to be able to drive into the station itself from Praed Street 

[catsinthewelder]

You could find a suitable bridge, line the shot up and wait for a train to appear.  Most of the lines in London have an incredibly frequent service.  

This thought came from driving through South London yesterday and being rather pleased to see the class 455 thats been painted in BR blue and grey, passing over a bridge a few hundred yards ahead.

[somewhatfoolish]

It's a long haul but Helensburgh Central has customer parking level with and right next to platform 1, separated only by bollards. 😁 

Shame you can't do it at Glasgow Central anymore, with retrospect I probably used it shortly before it closed to the unwashed and became taxis only and since then they've banished vehicles completely and replaced the carpark with new platforms.

[LightBulbFun]

On 17/12/2024 at 09:53, quicksilver said:

@LightBulbFun look what's just been uploaded to Flickr! I knew there had to be a photo of the elusive MHJ54P out there somewhere.

For those who haven't followed the full thread, this is the only known example of a non-Invacar registered in the middle of a block of Invacars (MHJ11-110P). That colour even looks a bit like Invacar blue!

oh sweet! a picture of it finally showed up after all this time! I always bemused me that there were seemingly no pictures of it, after all I think bus spotting has been a thing since the 1950's? and was certainly quite well established by the 70's! 

there is a further mystery in that, apart from the fact of how did the company the bought that coach new, managed to pinch a registration mark already allocated to a block of Invacars, but the fact that the Model 70 it displaced, is well, Missing in action!

after the MHJ11P-MHJ110P block,  is the MWC710P-MWC809P block, however the MHJ block ends with a chassis number ending 0 but the MWC block starts with a chassis number ending in 2, so the Model 70 of that series with a chassis number ending is  1! is missing I have never been able to find any surviving record of it!

so it could well be MHJ111P and just never survived long enough to survive the DVLA data cull (that registration mark brings no record, so we have no way of knowing what it was allocated too if at all) after all we know the REV block is 101 cars big because of the displacement caused by REV451R being a private example, but obviously without a found record for that registration mark or chassis number its hard to say for sure regarding the missing MHJ Model 70