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thorne

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Posts posted by thorne

  1. Posted

    Yeah, I noticed the dimensions of the tag in New Zealand were rather large when I was looking up the standards, and thought there's no way that will fit on a numberplate. Then again, even if the tag was shrunk a little, there's barely any room to mount it on a New Zealand numberplate, as there doesn't appear to be enough spacing between the characters.

  2. Posted

    This document outlines the legal requirements about marking your vehicle to signify installation of an alternative fuel (such as LPG and CNG) in Australian and New Zealand vehicles (originally from the earlier http://www.ozfalcon.com.au/index.php?/topic/4407-lpg-numberplate-stickers/ (LPG numberplate stickers) thread.

     

    If the vehicle was converted after 1 February 1993, an approved AS1425 LPG compliance plate must be fitted to the vehicle at the time of the conversion/installation. Vehicles fitted with LPG systems are required to have red LPG stickers attached to the vehicle's number plates; red metal plates riveted to the number plates have been required since 1999 in Australia. 

    Quoting AS1425:2007 (similar)

    7.4.3 Vehicle identification
     
    In Australia, to indicate that a vehicle is equipped to use LPG as a fuel, it shall carry permanently attached to the front and rear registration plates, an approved, external metal plate not less than 1mm thick affixed with a label complying at least with the following requirements:
    1) The plate and label size shall be not less than 25mm square mounted as a diamond.
    2) The label colour shall be retro-reflective red, complying with AS/NZS 1906.1, Class 2.
    3) The label shall have only the letters 'LPG' in white at least 10mm in height.
    Where a vehicle is fitted with more than one container, the vehicle shall carry an additional plate and label as above.

    In New Zealand, to indicate that a vehicle is equipped to use LPG as a fuel, it shall have affixed as close as possible to the registration/number a plate and label complying at least with the following requirements:
    1) The plate and label size shall be 80mm square, mounted on a diamond.
    2) The label colour shall be retro-reflective red, complying with AS/NZS 1906.1, Class 2.
    3) The label shall have only the letters 'LPG' in white at least 20mm in height.
     

    This is an Australian-wide standard for cars running LPG (also for cars running CNG - and legislation was updated in 2007 to include hybrid vehicles). Previously all vehicles with an LPG system installed before 1999 must have had a red retro-reflective sticker affixed to the numberplate, as below:

    Ip3KWCJd.jpg

    As of 1999, the sticker advertising running on LPG must now be mounted on a diamond metal plate, and then this must be pop-riveted onto the number plate itself.

    eXszykRw.jpg

    This is due to the dangers of fire damage: if the fire melts the sticker, the presence of the pop-riveted plate will still alert emergency services to an alternate fuel (or electrical dangers, concerning a hybrid) within the vehicle. Vehicles with multiple tanks need one tag per tank (plates need 2 LPG tags for 2 tanks, etc).

    The result should look like this: notice the raised edges of the plate behind the newer-style LPG sticker:

    IFCUvz9T.jpg

    This also means that anyone in Australia with personalised plates and on LPG/CNG will end up needing to deface their plate to conform to standards, as attaching them to the car body, as opposed to the numberplate instead, is a no-no: oddly enough, this appears to be fine in New Zealand. Absence of LPG tags is a offence in Australia and in Victoria can lead to a fine starting from $150, if the cops are in a good mood. Tags must also be affixed to bike rack number plates, if applicable.

    It appears however not a lot of people appear to know of this updated standard (including myself before I started further investigating): my XH recently passed RWC before I bought it in February 2015 - ironically, my LPG tank didn't pass muster and I needed another tank installed and restamped by an APA representative - and not a word was said about my plates with the old square/black LPG stickers on them, either by the APA rep or the RWC tester.

    Admins: with your permission, could this post please be pinned for future reference, as there are a lot of converted (and E-gas) Fords out there who should be aware of government standards regarding the labelling of their vehicles. If anything, it may prevent over-zealous cops looking for more excuses to fix a canary sticker to the car.  :)  

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  5. Posted

    all the brake light globes OK??

    I know its a stupid question but you would be surprised.....

    Just came in from checking them: both brake-lights work fine, at both intensity levels (with the headlights on and when I step on the brake pedal). The vehicle passed an RWC earlier this month (wouldn't they check for things like that?).

     

    Usually e series cruise stops working because of a faulty brake light switch (on the pedal) or a faulty brake fail switch (in the side of the master cylinder)

     

    Edit: is it an auto or manual? Manuals have a switch on the clutch pedal too

    My sin-bin is a 4-speed T-bar auto.

     

     

     

    Where else should I start looking/checking? I must be honest, I'm not very under-the-hood savvy (one of the reasons I joined here, to learn more automotive stuff), so be as specific as you can!

  8. Posted

    Hey all,


     


    Just purchased a 98 XH2 panelvan with cruise-control (has standard-issue EL steering wheel with the usual buttons). It worked a grand total of twice while I was freeway driving late at night just after I bought it (typical)......now, it just doesn't seem to be engaging. I hit the cruise "On" button and the light in the display comes on.....but hitting or holding "Set +" or even "Set -" doesn't engage it any more. Haven't really done anything before or since to warrant its refusal to engage, but this is my first car I've owned with cruise control so I'm at a loss as how to troubleshoot it!


     


    I wasn't sure if it mattered, so I tried engaging it while on LPG then again on petrol, in Economy mode and then in Power.....still nothing. I know it's worked before, so what's the best way to find out how to fix it?


     


    Any help or advice would be much appreciated.


     


    Cheers!

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