Heater cable installation

[Geowiz]

I’ve just started a new build. The manual has some errors and is outdated for some components. The heater cable is showed for RHD. Can someone post a photo for LHD? Do you have to shorten the cable?

[theDreamer]

I have an older (1993) LHD Caterham and the Heater knob is on the right hand side just above the E brake. (see first image) It’s easy to reach even for a shorty like myself.

You can see it snakes out between the air horn trumpets and is affixed to the front of the heater box. To operate the valve on my car it has to come the right hand side. Yours is probably the same or similar. Someone did mention they’d routed it around from the left to the right with a big loop. I do not remember if it was on this or another forum. It's possible it was on one of the Facebook groups.

[JohnCh]

A quick search in the Build forum returns several results that include pictures and advice on how to handle this:  

https://usa7s.net/ips/search/?q="heater cable"&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=41&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

 

You will find a number of things in the manual that are wrong or lack significant clarity.  If you haven't seen it, there are some good UK build blogs captured in this post and, of course, there are also a number of very good build threads here on the forum.  

 

 

[JohnCh]

@Geowiz did those links get you sorted, or do you need additional input?

 

[empti]

@Geowiz Here is how I did it.  In my case the pre-drilled hole for the control cable is on the left side of the steering column. I think the air box mounting bolts have spacers and may allow the cable to tuck underneath it. I'll update you once I have reached that far into the build. 

 

Before/After:

[TorqueSpec]

On 1/9/2025 at 10:21 AM, empti said:

@Geowiz Here is how I did it.  In my case the pre-drilled hole for the control cable is on the left side of the steering column. I think the air box mounting bolts have spacers and may allow the cable to tuck underneath it. I'll update you once I have reached that far into the build. 

 

Before/After:

Just a quick thank you - had to install a heater on my build and it didn’t have the holes drilled. This was super helpful!

[BruceBe]

Basically - loop the cable in front of the heater plenum and behind the battery. It loops back to the valve mechanism. With the battery installed, you won’t even notice it.

 

Cheers,

-Bruce

[jmaz]

On 1/9/2025 at 11:21 AM, empti said:

@Geowiz Here is how I did it.  In my case the pre-drilled hole for the control cable is on the left side of the steering column. I think the air box mounting bolts have spacers and may allow the cable to tuck underneath it. I'll update you once I have reached that far into the build. 

 

Before/After:

This is a big help.  With the control cable coming at the valve from the opposite side compared to a RHD car (and compared to the assembly guides), I'd been trying to decide if I needed to install the valve upside down in order to have the valve operate in the correct direction.  It didn't occur to me to just have to cable loop back on itself to mimic the direction of a RHD setup.

[jmaz]

I added an adel clamp attached to the battery tray bolt to help anchor the heater cable.  I also wrapped some silicone tape around the portion of the heater valve, where it looked like it might rub against the back of the battery.  

 

 

 

 

[empti]

1 hour ago, jmaz said:

I added an adel clamp attached to the battery tray bolt to help anchor the heater cable.  I also wrapped some silicone tape around the portion of the heater valve, where it looked like it might rub against the back of the battery.  

 

 

 

 

This is a much better engineering solution (vs just let the cable flying around). Thanks for sharing.