Fixing the flashers

Whilst away in Cornwall the indicators stopped working for right hand turns. An onsite investigation with the multimeter showed that the switch was the root of the program. A quick web search showed that replacement would be costly so I thought I'd have a look and see what could be done about a repair.

When the casing had been taken off this is what was inside. A sealed unit with a metal cover and plastic base. A little exploratory probe with the  pliers showed that the tags were not going to bend so something more drastic was required. Time for the hacksaw.

Once the tags were removed the casing came off fairly easily and the contents carefully removed. The mechanism inside the box is actually very simple a few metal plates and contacts on the indicator arm held together with springs and plastic moulding. Fairly quickly the source of the problem became apparent. there was a build up of grease and dirt covering the contacts for the right hand indicator.

There was also a bit of damage to the plastic meaning that the contact was slightly sunken below the surface. To resolve the issue some decidedly low tech fixes were employed. A bit of cleaning with some white spirit and a little levering with a thin screwdriver to raise the level of the contact and the unit was in much better shape.

 
The cleaning finished all that remained was to put it all back together. In Haynes speak this would be the 'refitting is the reverse of removal' bit. Good job I took some pictures and looked carefully how everything fitted together.

The parts laid out ready for reassembly

All back together ready to put the cover back on

Olympics, meetings and an early departure

With the exciting news about our the new arrival to the family we headed east to Trewan Hall. I set up camp whilst Vanessa headed to the playground with Toby and Millie.

We then headed for a wander around the site and a dip in  the outdoor swimming pool. Toby loved Jumping in off the diving board and Millie got out and played fetch the float (well she threw it into the pool and i was soft enough to fetch it repeatedly).

Even away on a camping holiday in the wilds of Cornwall events in London had not escaped our notice so we headed to the barn to watch the opening ceremony. It appears that everyone else had the same idea as the barn was packed. We found a spot where Toby could see perched on my shoulders and Millie and Vanessa could just about see. Vanessa had had enough standing up and Millie grew tired so we headed back to Maisie to set up. With the Girls settled Toby and I headed back to watch the rest of the ceremony. Toby managed to last until countries beginning with 'M' until he final fell asleep so we missed Team GB and the lighting of the Olympic flame (now we know what the weird jugs were for).

The next day we planned to visit the Eden Centre and got all the way to the car park before we got a call from George and an Invite to meet Niamh. Toby was particularly smitten and hogged most of the cuddles. We all enjoyed seeing meeting Niamh and managed to actually go into the Eden Centre the next day.

The following day we planned a town wander so headed towards Newquay then along the coast to Padstow. We had a lovely lunch and then managed to get on board and look around the Lifeboat. That evening at the campsite Toby and Millie enjoyed the brass band despite Millie spending most of the concert outside after complaining it was too loud.

We went again to visit George, Kev Jamie and Niamh. We headed out to the park with Kev and Jamie Toby and Millie enjoyed a great run around and George even brought Niamh out for her first park trip. We got back to the site in time to take part in the Trewan Hall Olympics where Toby and Millie both tried hard in their races and I even made it to the final of the Dad's race (which involved dressing up as much as athletic prowess). That evening the entertainment was a Rock band which both of the children enjoyed, especially Toby who indulged in some very enthusiastic air guitar.

The next day we decided to head home a little earlier than planned. The weather forecast suggested we had had the best f the weather and Vanessa was finding that heavily pregnant was not the most comfortable way to camp. Toby and Millie even helped pack up the tent (well Toby helped while Millie spread the pegs around).