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MG MGA - Volt meter

I now own a 57 MGA that has a few issues that I would like to get some advise with. For some reason the volt meter on the dash is not hooked up and I would like to fix this this winter. Any knowledge to assist would be great, Thanks in advance
NK Nance

What volt meter is that, mine hasn't got one!
Lindsay Sampford

Good question. I took this photo and it does appear that maye University Motors or someone pu this in. The owners book does not show one. Any thoughts on why?
NK Nance

MGAs did not come with a volt meter. If you have one it was added later. Can you try again to post a picture? I don't see one posted
R J Brown

it tells me the photos are too large so they are not loading Sorry.
NK Nance

lets try again



NK Nance

That is an ammeter. Shows current draw or charging rate.
Art Pearse

An ammeter was not original either. There are 2 types. In most the ammeter is placed in series with the main wire that comes off the starter switch. It measures the current either going into or out of the battery. This sends the entire current load through the wires to and from the dash. The other type uses a shunt at the starter switch and runs small wires to the dash. I consider an amp gauge a waste of space. A volt meter tells more. Personally I would weld up the hole and repaint the dash.
R J Brown

sounds like a plan. Thanks for your thoughts Many things to do
N


NK Nance

I agree that an ammeter is useless and the complexity of running the total current load (except the starter motor) through leads to and from the dash is impractical.
However, if you prefer not to weld up and paint the dash, a voltmeter could be used. I had one as a standard factory fitting in my Triumph 2500S cars. I found it very useful.
A voltmeter is easy to fit and carries only a very small current.
One company, Sunpro, in the US has them for $20.00. There are probably many other companies. The Sunpro item shown in this posting is for negative earth. I assume your MGA is positive earth. You would have to ask the company what is available, they have an Enquiry Form on their website.

http://www.sunpro.com/product_detail.php?pid=16322

Mick


M F Anderson

Most volt meters are two-terminal, not grounded on the dash, and work for either positive or negative earth.
Barney Gaylord

N, your dashboard picture made me a bit concerned that I too should carry a spare split cotter on my key ring, but on closer examination I see it is the end-on of your leather key fob, phew!
Lindsay Sampford

The Triumph 2500S voltmeter was not grounded on the dash (wood dash), it had two connections and could be used for positive or negative earth, but the Sunpro item states that it is negative earth.
Obviously for a MGA with positive earth you will need a volt meter with two connections.

Mick
M F Anderson

I agree with the above comment use a voltmeter instead. It is much easier to install and more telling. I too am in Wisconsin and reapir MG's as my buisness. MG Limited
gl mr

As an alternative to a voltmeter, why not fit an oil temperature gauge in that hole?
I fitted one to my MGA and found it very useful.
Instead of the complex capillary type gauges used by MG you now have electrical gauges available. Much easier to fit. You must buy a matched sender unit from the same manufacturer.
I drilled into the head of the banjo bolt that connects the large external oil pipe to the oil filter. I welded some thick walled tubing to the hole and threaded it. The end of the sensor has the oil pass over it without protruding into the oil flow.
Below is an image of a VDO gauge similar to mine (although I fitted mine in 1964 and it is the mechanical capillary type).


Mick


M F Anderson

I have attached a section from the VDO catalogue.
The image is on it's side, otherwise it gets too reduced in size when uploaded.
If you save the image on your computer you can rotate it back to normal with a program such as Microsoft Paint (part of Windows "Accessories").


Mick


M F Anderson

This thread was discussed between 27/12/2009 and 30/12/2009

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