Gauges

Post by **vincenth** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:24 pm

I want to put some extra gauges in my minor to let me know how she is doing. What ones do I need ? I was thinking of

1. Oil pressure gauge
2. Volts gauge
3. Amps Gauge
4. Water temp

Are these the best ones to have ?

I have got a nice 4 gauge holder (came from a ford anglia) which has got a scalloped bottom which I am going to either paint the same colour as the interior metal work or either chrome it, not sure which yet.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1 ... gauges.JPG

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:28 pm

Replace the Amp meter with a clock you dont need amps & volts and the Ampmeter needs heavy gauge cable to be used.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:09 pm

I fitted all four on my Landy, and I found the voltmeter the least useful of the four, and the temperature gauge the most useful (because I had a manually switched electric fan). I often used the ammeter to check how fast the battery was charging (or discharging). By watching the charge rate you could tell when the battery had recovered from starting the engine.

Post by **nebogipfel** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:41 pm

Yes, forget about the voltmeter and get yourself a nice Smiths clock.

Note Kevin's warning and use heavy wire on the ammeter

John

Post by **vincenth** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:55 pm

So the general view is

1. Oil pressure gauge
2. Amps Gauge
3. Water temp
4. nice smiths clock

Thanks for the info

Post by **vincenth** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:01 pm

Another question - is the water temp gauge electrical or mechanical (capillary) ?

The smiths gauges come in black faces or white (magnolia). I have an olde english whitte paint job. I thought magnolia might look nice ?

Post by **vincenth** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:07 pm

Can anybody recommend a good supplier for smiths gauges ?

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:53 am

is the water temp gauge electrical or mechanical (capillary) ?

Both are available.
You can try ebay or somebody like East Sussex Minors or your local specialist or even a classic mini specialist.
I personally dont think the magnolia ones are in keeping with the period look of the Moggie but its your choice.

Post by **zippy500** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:07 am

You can take your chance with ebay- I was looking for some gauges. I bought some. bulbs/bracketrs were missing

3 out 5 didnt even work. owners said 'maybe they need to be connetect up for a while'

In the end I just bought new ones not smiths( expensive)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:12 am

The only gauge you really is need is for oil pressure - and I always use capillary.

Post by **badfelafel** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:58 pm

You could try a really cheap temp gauge off ebay - some of them cost peanuts, and seem easy to fit. Do you already have a temperature sender fitted? If so it should be really easy to fit. When mine arrives (off ebay) later this week I'll take some photos of me fitting it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:22 pm

I just use the clock on my wrist to tell me the time!

Post by **badfelafel** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:27 pm

I wear a watch on my wrist - I find a clock is a bit cumbersome and gets in the way of changing gear. And when I wore a grandfather clock on my wrist, couldnt even get into the Minor!

*I know, deserving of a slap*