flat braided earth wire

[richard sprint]

I'm trying to find a source to replace the earthing wire throughout my 72 elan sprint. The wire is flat approx three quarters of an inch wide and is placed within a soft plastic shroud.

As an estimate I need a total of approx. 4 metres worth - so far have been unable to find anything that resembles the original?

Many thanks

Richard

[Higs]

Are you sure that this is original? I was not aware that any Elan had earthing wires such as this - earthing is done through the chassis - however, some POs fitted additional earthing loops in desperation.

[billwill]

I suspect that normally that kind of earthing wire would only be used for the main strap from engine body to chassis, as that carries the starter motor current.

It is way expensive overkill for the other earthing tasks on an Elan.

[adigra]

I found a couple of feet of flat braided wire sitting loose in the bottom of the boot under the spare. Didn't have a shroud though. Not sure where it came from, but was obviously replaced by a PO. I assumed it was an original piece, so it's interesting to hear that something like that wouldn't have been used.

Adi

[stugilmour]

My Plus 2 used flat braided wire for grounding of the radio antenna, grounding of the radio chassis, and the already mentioned engine block grounds. Not sure about the main ground to the battery post, but their was a scrap of the flat braided stuff attached to one of the chassis bolts when I disassembled everything. I was unable to find similar stuff, but sure it must be available; all I found was round profile stuff that would of course work the same but not have the original look.

I used 84/0.30mm, 6mm2, 50amp black thinwall cable for various ground wires throughout the car when I re-wired.

HTH

[archigator]

Try British Wiring...

http://www.britishwiring.com/CAT08_09.PDF

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[oldelanman]

Here's another source......

http://www.cablecraft.co.uk/Products/0002000b

Regards,

[alan71]

The only flat braided wire on my 71 sprint is from the radio aerial to a bolt on the top diff' mount. The battery cable and engine earth strap are round cables. I'm fairly sure this is original.

Alan.

[bcmc33]

I bought the flat straps from eBay. If I need a strap in future I shall get the neater variety from CBS:
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1ofhj/ ... ferrerUrl= (page 78)

[Galwaylotus]

Wow. Some catalogue! Have you dealt with CBS before?

[richard sprint]

Thanks to you all for the various leads.

The one Roger highlighted is the type installed, will call them on monday to check on the measurements as the table shows quite a thick wire 2.5mm, for 3/4 inch the original is just under 1mm...

The positions where fitted are:
radio ariel to rear post on chassis
radiator mounting brackets back to dashboard
wiper motor to possibly (as in cannot recall at present) centre dashboard mounting bracket.

From comments made this appears to be a non OE installment - perhaps fitted therefore to obtain better radio suppression? I well remember on my early Mini that one would share the radio with the wiper cycle when it was raining!

I would rather not fit as these straps look rather messy what method do others use?

[billwill]

AS a result of our discussion here, Google put an Advert to this firm at the bottom of the page:

http://www.ormiston-wire.co.uk/products ... ZgodzGIpRw

Now you mention it I do recall flat braid as the earth for the original Aerial.


I think the official colour for motor wiring earth is black,

I on the other hand would be inclined to buy a reel of yellow/green stripe wire as used in house circuits, because that screams: "Earth" to me.

Stuff about the thickness of the old wiring looms, not the pokey thin stuff they use on modern looms.

[bcmc33]

Wow. Some catalogue! Have you dealt with CBS before?

I have a number of various catalogues for car bits - CBS has been very useful, and delivers next day.

[alan71]

I tried various earths, screens and suppressors to improve the radio reception, none of it really worked. In the end I fitted a new radio in the boot, down the side of the petrol tank, and wired up a remote control. The reception is as good as any modern car, although changing tapes is not so convenient.

Alan.

[Gordon Sauer]

My 67 S-3 parts book shows flat,braided ground strap fitted to distributor and then 72 +2 parts book, which is most likely same as for Sprint, and as you have it on your car: earth straps for coil, radio, aerial and distributor. Gordon Sauer