What SU stands for

[Andrew W. Macfadyen]

If you use a switch for something other than its designed purpose  you will get trouble,
with heavy inductive loads such as starter solenoids you need the correct switch or the
contacts will weld togethet.  AC Delco  distributers ain't exactly quality items the
spindles tend to wander around a bit, which is perhaps why most GM Europe cars now use
mainly  Bosch electrics.

mrvette wrote:

> Lucas et al, can't even make a simple momentary push putton switch....that
> inability cost a buddy his race car starter (left engaged) open headers;  and
> the switch was overrated...that is just one of many personal experiences...I'm
> sure there are many more, If GM, Ford and even Chrysler (the weak link i
> electronics for autos) made electronics to european standards, we'd all be still
> living in tenements and walking to work.....GENE
>
> Andrew W. Macfadyen wrote:
> >
> > Lucas real weakness was alternator; the ACR series tended to have a 40k mile life
> > without a rebuild partly the fault of the car manufacturers who under sized the
> > unit to cut costs and tried to compensate by using a smaller pullley to spin the
> > alternator faster. . Main land european cars tended to use much  higher rated
> > units. Most UK cars used a 35ACR   a 35 amp  rated alternator where a   German car
> > of the same size would use a 45 amp unit.  Worst was the UK version of the Chevette
> > only  had a 25 amp alternator -- it would fail to   meet the demand by about 5 amps
> > with all the lights and heated rear window on.
> > Starter were much the same the car manufacturers always under specified  for the
> > engine.
> >
> > mrvette wrote:
> >
> > > But, gentlemen, gentlemen, lest we forget...Lighting by Lucas....prince of
> > > darkness...?   :-)))     GENE
> > >
> > > Chris Morriss wrote:
> > > >
> > > > In message <359C9480.DEFE1A4 at post.almac.co.uk>, "Andrew W. Macfadyen"
> > > > <am018 at post.almac.co.uk> writes
> > > > >Lucas Aerospace make the control systems for the world finest aeroengines,
> > > > >Lucas don't make auto-electrics or wiring and haven't done so for many years
> > > > >they sold that part of the business to Magneti-Marelli   which is pity
> > > > >because have ever dealt with the electrics on a Fiat. Now if you want really
> > > > >bad electrics buy a French car.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > Yep, quite right there Andy.  My Alpine GTA has a wire that changes its
> > > > colour five times at connectors when going from an engine sensor (at the
> > > > back) to the dashboard.  I much prefer the UK method of denoting the
> > > > function of a wire by its colour(s).
> > > > (I guess other countries have colour defined functionality of automotive
> > > > wiring as well......just not the French!)
> > > > --
> > > > Chris Morriss