HELP!!

[the coppersmith]

Had a bit of a smoulder under the bonnet today, exhaust manifold hit the alternator wiring. I now have a mess . So the question, is, am I right in taking a live feed through a lamp to the small spade on the alternator. AND, one big gauge wire from alternator to starter solenoid, battery side.

[Olds]

Yep. That's the normal way of doing it. The heavy wire can either go to the permanent live on the starter solenoid or to the battery.  Seeing as the alternator is usually close to the starter, it make sense to connect to the starter main feed.
The live feed to the alternator through the ign. warning light is of course through the ign. switch

[the coppersmith]

why do I have only one big wire when there are 2 terminals?? is something missing??

[Olds]

That should be connected to the flux capacitor and earthed through a di-lithium crystal.
I have no idea why there are usually two positive terminals when only one is used. Perhaps someone else knows.

[morrag]

Its obvious really Dave, its somwhere to connect the flux capacitor.........................buggered if I know!

[the coppersmith]

Well, after burning some midnight oil, I had one of those little head lights on but it didn't throw much light on the problem. I cannot find a flux capacitor or the crystal thingy. So I assume I have the de-luxe model not the Ghia version So, not to be out done, I got hold of my soldering flux and smeared it on to a condenser I had hanging about and fitted it next to the alternator, see, simple
As a postscript: I checked my other kit car and that has two big wires, one goes to the battery direct and the other dissapears into the loom never to be found..............yet.

[twisted]

might connect to the warp-core drive

[the coppersmith]

Pleased to say a couple of new wires and terminals and all is well, Pushing out a good 13.5 volts to the battery and nearly every thing is go! BUT, I have no headlights? Sidelights, indicators, main beam warning light all tickety boo, but no headlights, so no out in the dark for me until I find where those pesky volts are going. Dont you just love do it yourself electrics in plastic cars  Or the warp core has melted down?

[Manky Monkey]

It's dead Jim.

[morrag]

Yeah, but not as we know it

[the coppersmith]

Another long night, another success. The smouldering wires also took the earth out that comes from the headlights. So I now have low beam, high beam, so..................beam me up Manky's

[Manky Monkey]

Boldly going where no Coppersmith has been before.
Postie Dave used to have a mark 2 Consul. He, Janie & I were sitting in it one evening, enjoying a burger & chips from a local roadside stall. I was in the back & remarked this burger smells weird, kinda like melting plastic. We sat for another couple of minutes before it suddenly dawned on us all at the same moment that it was burning plastic. We leapt out & flung open the bonnet & boot to find the wiring to the back lights, running along the back of the boot, was smouldering like a fuse. Much frenzied tugging & ripping of wires & we managed to stop it. Had to drive home in the dark with no tail lights, but could've been a lot worse.

[the coppersmith]

Many thanks for the light hearted encouragement. Pleased to say that all is well after last nights run out across the moors. Warp Factor was achieved and the re entry didn't burn to much Dulux off.