New build teething issues

[mplayle]

I did some diagnostics on the taillights today.

1) I tested the hydraulic brake light switch in isolation. It does work, but takes a lot of pressure on the pedal to activate it (more than I was trying yesterday). Light braking will not activate the switch.
2) I put a temporary manual switch in place of the hydraulic switch and tested the rest of the wiring (after tracing to make sure all was wired correctly). The brake lights worked fine. It turned out the low intensity (running light) filament of the left taillight had gone out - again. It had done that when I first picked it up and was getting the demo drive. I put a fresh 1157 bulb in and it all worked fine.
3) I noted the ground tabs in the tailight sockets are not anchored to the socket base, which might explain why the left rear running light keeps going out.

Next plan:
1) I am going to work out converting from the hydraulic brake switch to a pedal activated mechanical switch. I want the brake lights to work with light braking as well as heavy braking.
2) I have ordered a replacement flasher unit for using with LED turn signal bulbs. I have also ordered LED equivalents for the 1157 brake/running light bulbs.
3) I am going to dig through my assortment of screws and find the size appropriate to properly anchor all of the ground tabs in the taillights.

[mplayle]

I got #1 and #3 from yesterday's "plan" accomplished.

The new switch works very nicely - light braking turns on the brake lights and the pedal return turns them off. The new switch seems vulnerable to being hit by the bottom of my foot, but it actually is not. My normal foot angle leaves lots of clearance.

I am just waiting for the bulbs and flasher unit to arrive to take care of #2. They are scheduled to arrive Monday.

[mplayle]

The parts came in early, so I got to finish up the task list today.

I am happy with the results so far. I hope to get at least one test drive in before next weekend. There is a "cars & coffee" event about 70 miles away that I regularly attend in my Mini. I am hoping to be confident enough in the Triking's behavior to make that event as a "public debut".

The 40 mile run I did on Wednesday did instill confidence in the fixes for the oil out the breather issue.

[mplayle]

I did not get the test drive in during the week, but decided to just "go for it" and took the Triking to the "cars & coffee" event. It is about 70 miles away (so about 140 miles round trip). I met up with a friend part way there and he followed me in his classic Mini. We often do this event together in our Minis.

The Triking made the drive there and back just fine. It got about 30mpg (US) on the run. I let it cool down after getting home then went out and checked the secondary oil catch can - the dipstick was still totally dry! I also checked the oil level and it is still where it should be. I am satisfied the oil breather issues have indeed been fixed.

I am much more confident in doing longer runs with it now. I have a couple of special car shows coming up the end of October and beginning of November. I was planning on trying to take it to those shows and now have good confidence I can drive it to the shows (weather permitting).

[Richard and Pat]

Great news, well done.

[mplayle]

My friend, Bruce, took a brief video along our way home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EHM_YD7WbA