Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi.
I have a 1970 6cwt LCV.
A couple of times this winter I've been caught out arriving at work late, dashing in, only to return at the end of the day to find that the sidelights have drained the battery.
Has anyone fitted any audible warning system to indicate lights are still on on when you open the door, which of course is a standard feature in modern cars?

Interested to hear your experiences, and recommendations for a simple, reliable product.

Thanks

Chris L

Lo, I think your problem would be the courtesy light switch in
the door pillar. at present it is a single pole on/off type. you would need
a double pole switch,the extra pole being used to supply a 12volt
buzzer via the lighting switch when in the 'on' position. I don't know
how large the modern courtesy switches are?
Willie

Actually chaps, there is a simpler method.

Get a 12v buzzer from Maplin electronics, RS etc. (they are about £1).

On a negative earth car:

Connect the black (-) wire to the door switch, and the red (+) wire to the sidelight live, and hey presto.. door buzzer!

On a positive earth car:
as above but swap + for -

It only gets a live when the sidelights are on and only gets earthed when the door is opened, obviously it needs both to operate which it gets when the sidelights are on AND the door is opened!

Those buzzers are quite loud (and sound right) and only draw a tiny current, well within the operating load of the operating courtesy switch.

Well spotted Cam Ihave just logged on at 3.30 in the morning
because I knew I had overcomplicated! The only question is
'does a van have a courtesy light' switch? Might have to pinch
one from a saloon? I use a 12volt buzzer as an 'indicator on'
warning since my 57' car has a warning light which is too easy
to miss and it has been very reliable.
Willie

Thanks Willie and Cam - I'll try out the suggestion. And Vans do have courtesy lights!

Cheers

cleftley

Well that seems an excellent simple solution I will have to try that when I get a chance Cam