Forum

[Phil Ashbrook]

I seem to have a cooling problem with our hosts power box , I run 21w indicator bulbs and my power box is in the R/H tool box on my 1995 classic 500 export , the other day the daytime temp hit 40 here in Sydney and my universal indicator switch melted and dead shorted to earth killing my flasher can as well .
What is the max working temp for the powerbox ? Should I cut a hole in the inner side of the toolbox and make an air scoop ? All was good till the hot day when it all happened , the ammeter pulses to the first bar when flashing , I have small flasher lamps and there are not many different bulbs to fit them .

[Norm]

Get used to it Phil, they are tipping mid forties for most of Aus for the next few days. Ambient temp won't melt a switch something shorted. I prefer a bit of airflow over the powerboxes, they put fins on them for a reason

[Alan R]

Hi Guys-------- PHIL, I go with NORM on this one. The box contains a diode along with the other bit'n'bobs which needs cooling...I fitted one on the Bullet 65 a few years back which-- like yourself--- I put in the R/H toolbox ( at this time was now without the air filter as the PAV system was removed) and had a hole at the bottom of the toolbox where an air trumpet used to be.... I mounted it on 4 very small cotton reel type exhaust mountings, like this}---- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-MINI- ... 5ae8ff0ee4 --------------------- which insulated it from any vibration as well as keeping it in an open, free flowing air environment.... YES, if you can improve the airflow over the box so much the better......

[Phil Ashbrook]

I might try a finned computer chip cooler with a fan as well as a air scoop , I have a hunch that as the powerbox overheated it sent a surge that my universal indicator switch could not handle so it got hot then started to melt until the pole touched the metal shell hence the dead short . Just a new switch and flasher can will fix that issue .
The good news is that the heat and humidity is doing great things for my carb mixture , I even have a healthy tick over .
All very good for the traffic with our hosts best tune up parts , I think the bike thinks it's back in Madras !
40 degree heat for the next 5 days , all OK with my thicker oil , next is a monsoon type thunderstorm and the bikes ready for that as well .

[Norm]

Hit 48.1 in Eucla yesterday Phil, and I think today is worse, you might need a bigger fan.