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25 May 2018, 16:24 (Ref:3824581) | #1 | ||
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That yellow earth lead...
The MSA Regs say, "J. 5.14.5. Have the battery earth lead, if not readily
distinguishable, identified by a yellow marking." I've been told that this was so that a marshal with a bolt cutter could disable the battery quickly. That need was made redundant by the FIA cut-out switch that is now mandatory, but is still there. Does anyone know when the yellow earth lead regulation fiirst came in? Is this the oldest regulation of them all? John |
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26 May 2018, 21:27 (Ref:3824830) | #2 | ||
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It was in the Blue Book in 1991 when I started hill climbing.
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27 May 2018, 13:17 (Ref:3824921) | #3 | ||
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It was in the blue book when I started in 1970. We always had a master switch, but when it's turned off the cable from battery to switch is still live.
But don't remember an one having the earth lead cut by the marshals. |
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John Saunders..... There are people who drive racing cars and there are Racing Drivers. Gilles Villenuve |
27 May 2018, 16:33 (Ref:3824965) | #4 | ||
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Thank you, 911thillclimber and Unit 2 Racing (John)!
That takes it back to 1970, but John recalls a 'master switch' as well. So another Q is, when was a cut-out/master switch in the main live battery lead made mandatory? Before 1970, I presume? The Blue Book is a mish-mash of old and new regs, which an evolving body of rules will and should be, not letters writ on stone. I just wonder if this one is a fossil, introduced before living memory, and never repealed, when the Cut-out (save for John's point on the battery-to-switch cable still being live) makes the bolt-cutters redundant. I don't think that marshal's posts carry bolt-cutters, but Rescue Units do. John |
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27 May 2018, 17:37 (Ref:3824998) | #5 | ||
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I raced a Special Saloon until the end of the 1970 season, and we were not required to have an external cut-out switch, or a yellow earth lead.
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27 May 2018, 17:39 (Ref:3825001) | #6 | |
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27 May 2018, 20:50 (Ref:3825100) | #7 | ||
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Late 70s when I started, we didn't need a cut out switch (speed events) but did have to have a yellow earth lead.
Looks like it's a "legacy law". Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk |
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
28 May 2018, 12:09 (Ref:3825216) | #8 | |
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28 May 2018, 12:23 (Ref:3825222) | #9 | ||
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I started hillclimbing in 1991 in a road going car, only the yellow tape on the earth was required. Cut-out switch was required for 'non road spec race cars' (I think)
These rules stick because they are still relevant. The Blue Book is a 'masterpiece' |
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29 May 2018, 18:06 (Ref:3825504) | #10 | ||
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ISTR that if the earth lead was obvious (a braided lead) there was no need for yellow marking.
I suppose even today if the cut off switch is mangled or inaccessible then bolt croppers through the earth will do the job. Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk |
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! |
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