John McCormack Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 I have just finished installing the wiring harness in my restoration long door TR2. I intended on bringing an auto electrician in to cross check the connections and test electrical operations, but with the instructions and the wiring diagram it was a relatively straightforward job to connect everything and I would prefer to get the experience of doing it myself if I can reduce the risk adequately. Before I put a battery onto it how can I reduce the risks? In what order should I turn things on/operate systems? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 John, I’m sure it will be fine but, just in case, it is well worth making sure you can quickly disconnect the battery and have a fire extinguisher to hand. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 (edited) I recommend to you to use a battery charger or another weak 12 V power supply, max. 2 A, instead the battery. If everythink is swiched off / OK there mustn't flow any current. If you have a short circuit anywhere it does not make a fasto damage like the battery. To let anythink run, for example the indicators, this power supply is too weak. But you will see a reaction. Ciao, Marco Edited January 19, 2019 by Z320 added "max. 2A" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted January 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 38 minutes ago, david ferry said: John, I’m sure it will be fine but, just in case, it is well worth making sure you can quickly disconnect the battery and have a fire extinguisher to hand. David 20 minutes ago, Z320 said: I recommend to you to use a battery charger or another weak 12 V power supply, max. 2 A, instead the battery. If everythink is swiched off / OK there mustn't flow any current. If you have a short circuit anywhere it does not make a fasto damage like the battery. To let anythink run, for example the indicators, this power supply is too weak. But you will see a reaction. Ciao, Marco Thanks David. Yes, I will do that. Grazie Marco, I thought of that too. I have a flat battery that probably still has enough charge remaining to get a reaction when I turn the ignition on and a reading on a multi meter as I turn things on. At least that will identify any major shorts before I put in a good battery. Other ideas would be much appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 Di niente! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 (edited) I’d connect the battery up via a new large fuse holder, the big blade type initially insert a 2a fuse and see if low power stuff works then a 5 a, 10a, 25a working up the power range this way you can find any big fault which will blow the small fuses, and test the system in a systematic way steve Edited January 19, 2019 by Steves_TR6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 (edited) Hi John, if you have a meter (continuity) you could check the battery cables for direct short - remove both cables from the battery and measure the resistance between the two. Zero is bad something between quite few and many ohms is good The inline fuse methods works well. Roger Edited January 19, 2019 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted January 19, 2019 Report Share Posted January 19, 2019 I took a short length of stranded wire connected to the +ve battery cable and isolated one strand that I used to just quickly touch the battery post. I figured if there was no spark and the strand did not melt that I was good to continue with the loom testing. A poor mans inline fuse. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr graham Posted January 20, 2019 Report Share Posted January 20, 2019 Stan good a way as any graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
acaie Posted January 20, 2019 Report Share Posted January 20, 2019 The above is all good advice. The wiring diagram and a cheap and cheerful multimeter are also good friends for this job if combined with patience when things aren't what you hope for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted January 20, 2019 Report Share Posted January 20, 2019 The most worrying moment for me was when I started the engine and the ammeter rocketed over to the RHS of the dial and stayed there for quite a while. I had drained the battery quite a lot bringing the oil pressure up and having fitted an alternator it was delivering a fair amount of current into the battery to charge it. It took a good five minutes before it started to drop. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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