Smoke

Many years ago, I read an explanation of how electrical systems were powered by smoke. I recently found the following on the Internet. I'm not sure that it is the essay I read years ago, but it is close enough to share with you.

Dave

A Treatise on the Importance of Smoke

Positive ground depends on proper circuit functioning, which is the transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work. We know this to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of an electrical circuit, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing. For example, if one places a copper bar across the terminals of a battery, prodigious quantities of smoke are liberated and the battery shortly ceases to function. In addition, if one observes smoke escaping from an electrical component such as a Lucas voltage regulator, it will also be observed that the component no longer functions. The logic is elementary and inescapable!

The function of the wiring harness is to conduct the smoke from one device to another. When the wiring springs a leak and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works afterward.

Starter motors were considered unsuitable for British motorcycles for some time largely because they consumed large quantities of smoke, requiring very unsightly large wires.

It has been reported that Lucas electrical components are possibly more prone to electrical leakage than their Bosch, Japanese or American counterparts. Experts point out that this is because Lucas is British, and all things British leak. British engines leak oil, British shock absorbers, hydraulic forks and disk brake systems leak fluid, British tires leak air and British Intelligence leaks national defence secrets. Therefore, it follows that British electrical systems must leak smoke. Once again, the logic is clear and inescapable.

In conclusion, the basic concept of transmission of electrical energy in the form of smoke provides a logical explanation of the mysteries of electrical components - especially British units manufactured by Joseph Lucas, Ltd.

"A gentleman does not motor about after dark."

Joseph Lucas (1842 - 1903)

Wonderful.

Wow.... Thanks for sharing it. That explains a lot.

That's great!

The dates for Joseph Lucas should be 1834 to 1902 though.

Carson wrote: That's great! The dates for Joseph Lucas should be 1834 to 1902 though.

Those dates are incorrect. You can't kill the 'undead'. Just like Dracula, the Prince lives...

Posted before, but worth posting again:

Tim,

Do you have the new part number for that gasket material they recommend? I think it's called "Everleak"... or was it "Eternaleak"? I forget. I ordered it recently and was told the part number had been superceded and then placed on backorder until all the tubes in the warehouse had been relabeled. The Union being on strike, there was an expected delay.

I'm concerned what might happen if my car doesn't leak an appropriate amount of oil. How will I tell if it's out? As long as it leaks I know it's still got some.

Ah yes, the patented BMC Dynamic Rust Infiltration Prevention system. I believe they licensed the technology to Rootes and some other manufacturers.

You can use any gasket material you like. Expecting such shortages, BMC designed the engine components themselves to transmit the rust-preventing oil to the undercarriage, completely independent of whatever gasket materials may be used.

If the car doesn't leak an appropriate amount of oil it will, of course, immediately rust into nothingness-- like a Fiat or older BMW. You can quickly tell British cars with non-operative DRIP systems by their non-existent rockers and fenders.

How can you tell if its out? You're out of oil!