Emergency Repair Kit!

[fitz]

From reading around it seems the most likely thing to disable the car out on a run is an electrical fault (relays?) so i was wondering...

A) are the relays standardised - ie can a relay for the wipers be used for the starter motor?
B) relating from above are they the same but have different current loads - eg a 5amp relay or a 3amp - and plug and play providing you replace like for like?
C) are they all different!

Assuming that they are all different, what would be a good set to keep in the car? ie (Starter, headlights, central locking) and are any tools required?

Just looking to have a sort of kit in the boot to get me back home / to work in the event of a relay failure.

anything other than relays to carry in the car (spare bulbs given)

Cheers
Rich

[AndyC]

Most 12v relays are of two basic types, switch on, or change-over. I can't think of any on the Excel which are change-over type, so a standard 4 pin or even 5 pin relay should do the job of any. You can get different current ratings, but it's normally around 30 -35 amps, they don't limit the current, it's just that they will have a small electrical resistance in the contacts (less than most switches though), so the resistance will cause heat to be generated, the safe rating relates to how much heat they can handle on continuous run.

Just carrying one spare relay should suffice, but you will need fuses, blade-type, get a selection because these do limit maximum permissible load, so, for example, if you put a 20 amp fuse in instead of a 5 amp, and the problem that caused the 5 amp one to blow is still there you may over-heat the wire and cause a fire.


You may also want to carry a small electrical tester (is it that power isn't getting to...) and a length of wire, some terminal pliers and a few crimp terminals. Bit of a first-aid kit for the electrics I suppose.

[fitz]

Thanks andy!,

thats very helpful, I'll pick up some bits and bobs when I get the car, hopefully because i have it, i wont need it!

also noticed you live in the same city as me !

[AndyC]

Feel free to pop round, or pop out to Larling Angel on the 8th March if you fancy meeting a few other local Lotus owners (not a meet of a big club).

Andy

[fitz]

Thanks should have the car by then so will pop along if i can..

[AndyC]

How is the car going?
Looking forward to seeing it around Norwich

[fitz]

Hi Andy,

ETA in sunny Norwich is weekend of 10th April ready for the summer

Rich

[AndyC]

We've already had some great weather, nice and dry, not too hot etc.

Give me a shout once it's up and running.

[fitz]

Will do, yes had some lovely weather and i drive a lot daily for work, so really looking forward to cruising around south Norfolk with the windows down

[texas2201]

Fitz there are a couple of different types of relay

see this thread http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... =fan+relay

also the blade fuses range from 2amp to 30amp I believe so you need a good selection

[fitz]

Ok so now that i'm getting close i'm going to be ordering some bits and pieces over the next few days.

would i be right in thinking, following on from andy's comments one of these should be a good backup?

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/780

If someone could point me in the direction of which relays from the above site would be useful i'd be grateful!

Things that make the car go / legal are most important, i can do without a courtesy light for a few days .

I wonder if i can find a nice case...perhaps with a white cross on it

Also...presume they are blade fuses in the excel?

Thanks in advance

[AndyC]

You'd be really unlucky to need one of those, they are used on things such as the ignition switch controls for engine run, accessories et. a standard 40 amp 5 pin would be more likely to be of use, things such as wipers, headlight pods etc use those, normally around £2-£3 from Maplin.
Yes blade fuses.