Electrical Puzzle.

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Sprinter, Feb 24, 2019.

  1. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
    1,000
    uk
    Hi,
    thanks for looking.
    I had an issue with connecting my rack last week.
    When I came to remove the liner for the rear wheel arch I found a mess of badly connected wires old pre- insulation tape, black tarry stuff, ( I remember it, I dont know its name).and other stuff.

    When I went to sort it, one of the two wires from the number plate light, came away from the sealed unit so I had to replace it.
    The new one works when hanging loose on the bracket.
    When connected to the battery direct ,its fine, even when manhandled.

    The problem is, when you tighten it to the bracket it pops the fuse.Any answers?
    Is it definitely the new number-plate-light?
     
  2. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
    610
    500
    ireland
    When you say its ok hanging loose on the bracket, do you mean loosely fitted with the screws in place ?

    Sounds like something is shorting when you tighten it down try a peice of polythene or rubber behind it and tighten it down see if that solves the problem.

    And the tape youre talking about is self amalgamating tape and is meant as a sort of self sealing job and can be quite effective, but a bitch to get off.
     
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  3. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
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    Yes its only when its tight, when your tightening and get to the last couple of turns it pops.
    Can you still get that tape ?I havnt seen it for years

    Edit ...I looked at self amalgamating tape and it not that its like old sh!t from someones dads shed
     
  4. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
    1,000
    uk
    Im down to my last couple of 5amp fuses so Ill wait till I have more.
    @Oldyam when you say "shorting somewhere" could it be anything other than the light? Its alone one that fuse and the rest of the loom looks untouched.
    Every thing else has no issue.
     
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  5. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
    610
    500
    ireland
    Unfortunately if its not something visble on the unit itself or the wiring where youve repaired it it sounds like its internal and youre actually flexing the assembly when you tighten it down and causing an internal short when the wire broke off , how did you repair it ?

    A pic would be helpful

    The very old amalgamating tape was horrible, left residue everywhere .......

    https://www.halfords.ie/workshop-to...xings/halfords-self-amalgamating-tape-19mmx5m
     
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  6. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
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    The very old amalgamating tape was horrible, left residue everywhere .......
    That sounds like the tape
    I would be relived if it was the light ( even with the cost) Im not good at detective work.

    IMG_20190217_095918356.jpg

    IMG_20190224_122709373.jpg
     
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  7. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
    1,000
    uk
  8. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
    610
    500
    ireland
    Can you do a pic of the repair itself ?

    I'm guessing that its where the actual fault probably is.

    Is the wiring being squeezed between the light and the bracket when you fit it or does the wiring fit into a clear space ?
     
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  9. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
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    Yeah it was a sealed unit so I ditched the old one.I agree with what you say about flexing when tightened
    So a new unit

    and as I say Im not sure the old one worked and cant test it cause the wires come away.
    Sorry for the confusion.
     
  10. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
    610
    500
    ireland
    Just seen the link you put up I would go for a new one and solve the problem as trying to get into the unit to carry out a better repair is unlikely to work out in a way you would be happy with, sorry I cant be more help.
     
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  11. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
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    No No your a great help.
    I think your right.
    Although the make and model are the same I posted the one from R and G ,but I bought from eBay, so I may have got a knock off or reject.
    Ill replace and see how it goes, good to have some corroboration, ta.
     
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  12. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
    1,000
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    @Oldyam

    Solved.
    Turns out, at the very point where the wire meets the back of the light if you bend the red wire there is a split, must be enough to arch when the brackets screwed tight to the light.
    Thanks for the feedback.

    Is that photo adhesion tape?
     
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  13. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
    610
    500
    ireland
    Good work :cool: glad youre sorted
     
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  14. Jeffrey Conlon

    Apr 4, 2018
    59
    18
    Wakefield
    I think when attaching to the bike you are shorting the lamp supply to the frame and shorting out the battery.
    Or should there be an insulation piece between fitting and frame or polarity wrong ??
    Just a few pointers,
    Do you use a voltmeter?
     
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  15. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    5,993
    1,000
    uk
    Thank you.Your are correct.
    I solved it.
    It was a break in the insulation very close to the light.
     
  16. Jeffrey Conlon

    Apr 4, 2018
    59
    18
    Wakefield
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