Lucas electrics

[Phil Hancock]

A Treatise on the Importance of Smoke

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by Joseph Lucas

Positive ground depends on proper circuit functioning, which is the transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work. We know this to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of an electrical circuit, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing. For example, if one places a copper bar across the terminals of a battery, prodigious quantities of smoke are liberated and the battery shortly ceases to function. In addition, if one observes smoke escaping from an electrical component such as a Lucas voltage regulator, it will also be observed that the component no longer functions. The logic is elementary and inescapable!

The function of the wiring harness is to conduct the smoke from one device to another. When the wiring springs a leak and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterward.

Starter motors were considered unsuitable for British motorcycles for some time largely because they consumed large quantities of

smoke, requiring very unsightly large wires.

It has been reported that Lucas electrical components are possibly more prone to electrical leakage than their Bosch, Japanese or American counterparts. Experts point out that this is because Lucas is British, and all things British leak. British engines leak oil, British shock absorbers, hydraulic forks and disk brake systems leak fluid, British tires leak air and British Intelligence leaks national defence secrets. Therefore, it follows that British electrical systems must leak smoke. Once again, the logic is clear and inescapable.

In conclusion, the basic concept of transmission of electrical energy in the form of smoke provides a logical explanation of the mysteries of electrical components - especially British units manufactured by Joseph Lucas, Ltd.

"A gentleman does not motor about after dark."

Joseph Lucas (1842 - 1903)

[Gromit]

[JeffR]

The quote "When the wiring springs a leak and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterward". is not, in my experience, always true. In many cases escaping blue smoke usually results in some cessation of function of the components to which it is attached AND more often than not, the novel function of other components to which it is not attached......

[matt bristol]

The quote "When the wiring springs a leak and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterward". is not, in my experience, always true. In many cases escaping blue smoke usually results in some cessation of function of the components to which it is attached AND more often than not, the novel function of other components to which it is not attached......

I think you may find jeff on closer examination that the smoke is actually re-entering via another break in the wiring caused by the vacuum created by the loss of smoke from the initial leak causing said circuit to once more function despite not being required or switched on. this would be the smoke finding its own route to get back out at some later point, ie just before an MOT test or after plod have stopped you

[JeffR]

Believe me, on my present landrover, all of the above are applicable,sometimes the dashboard does a damn good impression of a 1970's disco, complete with mirror ball. Thye last owner clearly had the electical knowledge of a chinchilla on speed!

[landmannnn]

Joseph Lucas, probably the man most responsible for the collapse of the British motor industry. How could one man (or company) undo 100 years of successful innovation?

This was how he did it:

Lucas signed a deal with Bosch,Delco, Ducellier, Magnetti Marelli etc agreeing that they they would not compete in each other's home market. Lucas signed a deal with the only other British competitor (Smiths) that they would not compete in each other's market.

Now Lucas had a complete monopoly, if you manufactured cars or motorbikes from the late 50's onwards you could only buy from the Prince of Darkness. The export markets died along with the motor industry.