Short Trip In The Merc
 

Took my first trip to town in the Merc yesterday. in the cool cool of the evening on dirt back roads to avoid heavy traffic. Cheap little infra red tester showed head temps all around the 176 mark when I arrived and the car's gauge showed normal. No thermostats and outdoor temp was in the high 70s. I noticed the ammeter was showing slight discharge at idle with the lights on. Biggest complaint was the rough ride over "washboard" patches on sand roads. Somebody (me?) must have mis-read the tire pressure gauge and put well over 40 pounds in right front tire. The steel belted Coopers rode like iron wheels unless I was on smooth pavement. Took this shot of the sunset before heading home.

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

It's hard to take a bad pic around your place, Ralph.

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

Thanks very much Mart. If you ever read the fine print on our license plates it says "Land of living skies". I try to take advantage of that feature when I see the chance. I've actually got a bit of video of the drive to upload when I get a chance.

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

Always good to hear from you, Ralph.

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

I still miss those open sky (Alberta) prairie sunsets.

Although they look original to the car, I don't recall the skirts before.
Did you just recently install them? A rare factory accessory today,
as is the sun visor!

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

Awesome, if you concerned about voltage, led replacement bulbs (the purist will revolt!) are much brighter and offer a whiter light for less voltage, IMHO, YMMV
I have all led lighting in my 36 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZb51U1mTaU

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

Those are pretty bright. I'm satisfied with the brightness of my original sealed beams but was wondering if my charge rate is a bit low as the ammeter showed discharge at idle with all the lights on. Seems to me I tested it a while back and it was putting out close to 8 volts which should be plenty.

Re: Short Trip In The Merc
 

I think that's pretty normal when idling with the lights on. Generators don't put out much until the RPM is higher.

Sal