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Post by Simon H on Dec 4, 2014 16:58:29 GMT
I am in the process of fitting a towbar to my P5B an need some advice about the indicators. On all the post 1980's cars I've had I have simply plugged the trailer into the towbar socket and got on with it. However, I am a bit concerned about the flasher relay on the P5B being up to the job. There are already 4 indicators on each side of the car and my caravan has 2 X 21W bulbs on each side. Will the Rover flasher relay cope with 4 X 21W and 2 X 5W on each side?
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Dec 4, 2014 17:50:22 GMT
I am in the process of fitting a towbar to my P5B an need some advice about the indicators. On all the post 1980's cars I've had I have simply plugged the trailer into the towbar socket and got on with it. However, I am a bit concerned about the flasher relay on the P5B being up to the job. There are already 4 indicators on each side of the car and my caravan has 2 X 21W bulbs on each side. Will the Rover flasher relay cope with 4 X 21W and 2 X 5W on each side? I thought the dedicated relay did all the work/load Simon? |
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Dec 4, 2014 18:34:35 GMT
If it has the OE unit and antiquated tow bar wiring then no - you need a HD trailer flasher unit (mechanical are far more reliable than modern Electronic versions - I am still using Hella trailer flasher cans that replaced the original that I wired up to my dad's cars in the 1960's) or a separate relay added in the boot.
If the OE one is still fitted then it will not work - no damage. 2 types of OE were fitted 2 terminal (late) or 3 terminal and the wiring is different. Let me know which you have and I can advise further.
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Dec 4, 2014 21:33:41 GMT
If it has the OE unit and antiquated tow bar wiring then no - you need a HD trailer flasher unit (mechanical are far more reliable than modern Electronic versions - I am still using Hella trailer flasher cans that replaced the original that I wired up to my dad's cars in the 1960's) or a separate relay added in the boot. If the OE one is still fitted then it will not work - no damage. 2 types of OE were fitted 2 terminal (late) or 3 terminal and the wiring is different. Let me know which you have and I can advise further. I am on the cautious side with my coupe these days  but when it was just my tow car it was a case of Lucar connectors in the boot to the socket and it never let me down and that was just the standard Lucas Flasher  |
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Post by GlennR on Dec 4, 2014 21:41:19 GMT
JB. Have sent you a PM  |
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Post by Simon H on Dec 5, 2014 7:04:45 GMT
Thanks for the info guys and sorry for the slow reply (been on night shift and no access to t'interweb. I will try find out which flasher can is on my 1971 P5B when I go to the garage this afternoon to tackle the towbar job. (Need to build up courage to drill holes in the chassis leg. And hope I get it right lol)
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Post by norvin on Dec 5, 2014 13:38:31 GMT
Have a look on Vehicle Wiring Products they have Flasher cans along with details of what they will do.
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Post by stantondavies on Dec 8, 2014 0:15:41 GMT
I thought it was a legal requirement to have an additional unit with audible warning that the trailer lights are flashing correctly. That's what I fitted in the off-side boot wall.
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Dec 8, 2014 6:32:53 GMT
I thought it was a legal requirement to have an additional unit with audible warning that the trailer lights are flashing correctly. That's what I fitted in the off-side boot wall. Yes it is a legal requirement today but nothing like that was available in the early 70's as far as I remember? or perhaps I wouldn't have bothered in those days |
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Post by Simon H on Dec 8, 2014 11:55:23 GMT
I still haven't got round to checking which flasher can in on my P5B...
It's strange the 'new' requirement is for an audible warning on just the indicators. I'd have thought that brake and tail lights were more important.
I had a 1980 Range Rover that had a warning light on the dash to remind me that I had a trailer hitched up. I can't remember if it flashed with the indicators or not. The same car also had a 'lights on' warning light...
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Post by norvin on Dec 8, 2014 22:11:23 GMT
I still haven't got round to checking which flasher can in on my P5B... It's strange the 'new' requirement is for an audible warning on just the indicators. I'd have thought that brake and tail lights were more important. I had a 1980 Range Rover that had a warning light on the dash to remind me that I had a trailer hitched up. I can't remember if it flashed with the indicators or not. The same car also had a 'lights on' warning light... Not sure what you mean about new law with regards to the warning light for indicators I have been towing caravans for over thirty years and that has always been the law an audible warning or the warning light? |
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Post by Simon H on Dec 8, 2014 22:24:24 GMT
I was pointing out that my pre-1980 towbar equipped cars didn't have any sort of trailer 'warning device'. After 1980 they at first they had a warning light and later an audible device. They wouldn't have bothered with the expense of the audible device if it wasn't mandatory.
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Post by norvin on Dec 9, 2014 14:28:57 GMT
I was pointing out that my pre-1980 towbar equipped cars didn't have any sort of trailer 'warning device'. After 1980 they at first they had a warning light and later an audible device. They wouldn't have bothered with the expense of the audible device if it wasn't mandatory. Sorry but that is not the law in the UK, you need only fit one or the other. an audible device or warning light as long as the device lets you know when you have an indicator failure the light goes out or stays on steady and the audible warning would stop. The towbar and electrics are now part of the MOT so any fault should show up when tested so why you have two devices I do not know unless one device had packed up. I apologize for being so dogmatic. |
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Post by Simon H on Dec 9, 2014 15:41:53 GMT
My P5B isn't going to get either of them...
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Dec 9, 2014 18:38:32 GMT
it always should have had one or the other and mine has and all the many towbars I installed for my dad's cars and his friends since the late 1960's. The only change is now its testable at the MOT as before no-one really bothered
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Post by norvin on Dec 10, 2014 11:28:03 GMT
it always should have had one or the other and mine has and all the many towbars I installed for my dad's cars and his friends since the late 1960's. The only change is now its testable at the MOT as before no-one really bothered Thats exactly what I said earlier. |
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but when it was just my tow car 
