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MG MGB Technical - Fiberglass Bumpers & Lights

Hi

I am converting my 74 rubber bumpers to fiberglass bumpers by morSpeed Performance Products.
To complement the bumper I have purchased licence plate lights from an chrome bumper era MGB.
The licence lights on my 74 have 2 wires, one red and one black (ground).
The new (older style) lights only have the red wire. I guess they grounded on the bumper.
Since my new bumper is fiberglass can I just solder a ground wire to the metal side of the new light and it will work? Will I be able to solder a wire to the metal?

Thanks


Bruce
Bruce Mills

Bruce,

i would not solder a wire to the metal but fit a ground wire to the fixing bolts of lights.

Ralph
Ralph

When restoring my 73 roadster the number plate lights didn't work afterwards, but then they rely on at least two painted components. I fitted a bolt-through tag on the back of each light unit and ran the wire through into the boot to share the reverse light ground.
Paul Hunt 2

Hi Ralph & Paul

The reason I asked if I could solder a ground to the side of the light is I have fiberglassed some aluminum into the bumper and cut it out to suit the lights and then tapped some holes through the aluminum for the machine bolts which secure the lights.

I could probably tap a small hole in the aluminum to attach a ground to but I don't think aluminum is a very good ground is it?

Would soldering a ground wire to the side of the light work. I seem to remember the side signal lights being set up in a similar way.

Thanks

Bruce






Bruce Mills

Aluminum would be an excellent ground, about the number 3 best conductive metal after copper and silver, so no problems there. You could get corrosion that might compromise the connection over time, so treating with dielectric grease wouldn't be a bad idea after the connection is made.
Bill Young

Thanks Bill, that is good news indeed.

Then it be relatively simple for me to clean a bit of fiberglass off the imbed and tap a small hole in for a bolt and wire.

Bruce
Bruce Mills

This thread was discussed between 19/02/2008 and 22/02/2008

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