Inspection lamp socket

[pnaleahy]

From the 401 to 405, Bristol included a Minalite inspection lamp in the tool kit and a 3 pin socket for the lamp, located high on the back of the firewall in which to plug the lamp. Bristol stated that as the inspection lamp socket was connected directly to the car's battery, it could also be used to trickle-charge the battery if necessary.
I would like to take advantage of using this method of trickle-charging the battery on my 405 but haven't got a suitable plug to fit the socket. Does anyone know of a source for a 3 pin plug to fit the socket fitted to these cars?

[innellan House]

Philip,
It is a straightforward job (for a jobbing machinist) to make you a plug from a modern free turning (non-conducting) plastic like black acetal or even perspex if you wish a transparent plug. The smaller brass pin is 3.6mm and the larger pin 5mm in diameter.

[David C]

It's a 2 Amp mains plug, often used for domestic lights. Available from CPC, Ebay, Amazon etc. Cost around £2



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Elec-3-...ps%2C94&sr=8-3

[innellan House]

or simply use 2 banana jacks.
The 404/405 plugs look like a miniature of a domestic plug.

[Nick Challacombe]

Hi, I have a 407 which has a trickle charger Bakelite socket mounted on the RH valence and mentioned in the workshop manual for the 407 and early 408.
It is protected by a 60 amp fuse along with the Cigar lighter, interior light, Horns, Radio, Clock and Headlamp flasher.

It also has a 15ampBakelite socket on the LH valence which I was informed to power a sump heater in the days we had winters. As this is not specifically mentioned in the Workshop Manual I can only presume like the Radio it was an extra.

I have used the trickle charger socket with an ordinary household lamp plug, even though my eco house is only 6 years old all our table lights and standard lamps are fitted with the 2amp socket mentioned and fitted with the readily available 2amp plug. Available from £1.36 plus £1.07 delivery from Kenable, from or 5 for £12.10 inc delivery from Amazon.

[pnaleahy]

Thank you all for the excellent tips. I've now ordered some of the 2 amp lamp plugs from the UK and hope they arrive for Christmas!

[Maeter]

Would someone be able to post a picture of the inspection light? I need to find one and not sure what I am looking for.

Thank you in advance,

Pascal

[Nick Challacombe]

Sorry Pascal,
my car. a 407, although it has both the 5 amp socket and the 15 amp socket did not come with an inspection lamp. I suspect that they may have been discontinued with the V8 engined cars. Unless of course someone knows better as they used to say.

[Maeter]

I think you are right as, although I had the socket, my 410 did not have an inspection light nor wasn’t there one listed in the toolkit. I now have a 1957 AC Ace Bristol which has the socket in the glove box.

[David C]

Picture attached with any luck. The end opposite the bulb is an electro magnet which is of limited use with aluminium bonnets.https://www.bristolcars.info/forums/...1&d=1735999226

[Maeter]

Thank you David, next challenge, finding one!