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Can the clear centre on original S3 knobs be removed?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:41 pm
by dunclentdr
I have so far failed to find an original heater knob for my S3 but have a spare choke cable with knob.

My idea is to remove the clear centre and make a 'heater flame' sticker to go beneath it and then re-attach the clear centre - does anyone know if the clear centres can be removed (or fancy swapping a choke knob and cable for a heater knob!!)?

David

Re: Can the clear centre on original S3 knobs be removed?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:56 pm
by types26/36
This thread seems to imply that some knobs can be disassembled but I have never tried it.
lotus-elan-f19/knobs-t20987-15.html

Re: Can the clear centre on original S3 knobs be removed?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:58 pm
by Mazzini
The thick end of the knob unscrews, the clear plastic lens drops out and the choke/heater symbol is just printed on a piece of silver paper. Some come apart easier than others.

I don't think the heater knob was used on any other vehicle, I think it was a cost effective Lotus solution :D

Re: Can the clear centre on original S3 knobs be removed?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 11:21 pm
by billwill
Alas that won't work.

You can change the symbol as described above, but the heater cable is a single piece of piano wire, because it has to both pull AND PUSH. The Choke cable is merely stranded hawser as it only has to pull; there is a spring to pull it back.

You will need to solder in a new stiff wire instead of the hawser.

Re: Can the clear centre on original S3 knobs be removed?

PostPosted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:48 pm
by tonyr27
I have just repaired the heater cable by soldering in 21 gauge piano wire.
The wire was purchased from ebay & cost ?3.46 delivered for 3 ft.

TonyR

Re: Can the clear centre on original S3 knobs be removed?

PostPosted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 4:17 pm
by dunclentdr
Thanks for the advice - I have a number of S3 knobs and have been able to remove the top from one of them. The others look like one piece mouldings.

Have been playing on Photoshop with a picture of the foil insert and printing on my laserjet - looks OK.

Does anyone know of a picture/jpeg of the heater symbol that could be used or even better post a picture of their heater image?

David