Re: Interior lamps and seatbelts etc!

[Mike Wattam <101714.1343@domain.elided>]

HEADLAMPS/BULBS
Only 55w (or less) bulbs are legal for road use in the EC.

The lamp makers know that the road users want to see where they are going,
so supply these bulbs for 'off-road use only'.  These bulbs do help, but
tend to burn out VERY quickly in the dipped unit - the black hood stops the
heat getting away properly.  There is a substantial price premium for 100W
bulbs, so you may have been sent the uprated bulb erroneously.

Therefore I suggest you fit the bulb in a main beam unit, at which point
the lights then become quite acceptable and the bulbs have a good life.  

It is possible to buy 5 /34" headlamps which take P4 (twin filament) bulbs.
 These can be used in the dipped beam position and give 2-3 times as much
light as the standard units with the black hood.  The P4 bulbs can be
bought in 100/80W power.

With this lot in place on my car, it is possilbe to wither hedges and trees
at night, peel paint on Korean cars and enables you to 'crack on' like it
was daylight.

IMPORTANT CAUTION: to avoid wiring loom and steering stalk overload with
higher wattage bulbs, use a relay across the back of the fuse box, and lay
new cables from fuse box to lamps.  You will also get maximum volts to the
bulbs, and will make them burn much brighter.

INTERIOR LAMPS
It is fairly normal for the interior lamp to buckle and burn (even in the
UK) if the lamp is left on for long periods, and is made much worse by
using high wattage bulbs (12W ipo 5W).  If you surveyed Stags, you would
probably find 2 out of every 3 cars has interior lamps not working.

SEAT BELT LAMP
This was standard from early-74 (from commission LD38324) and was fitted to
the middle of  the fascia along with a hazard warning switch.  As your 'B'
post trim appears to be taken from a MkI, perhaps the instrument panel is
also.

SEAT BELTS
In the Triumph Stag Register we have details of firms who will recondition
the Stag belts to original specifications.  If you would like details
please let me know.  They recondition the 'short-stalk' type and also the
'console' mounted twin and single-piece type centre mounts.

Nevertheless, as you say the belts are too low in the only mountable
position.  I got over this many years ago by using 'drop brackets' (as if
they aren't low enough already!) inverted to raise the mounting point, and
this makes them quite comfortable.  The part number is ZKC 1771 (2 per car)
and although they are now obsolete, I believe they are still available from
some sources.

Mike Wattam
Triumph Stag Register