I agree, now has anyone added these little gems and how does one do it? I
tried to add a volt meter once and all it di was short out the starter
circuit. Followed the directions that came with the gauge too.
Safety Fast!
Ross Overcash
Ayer, MA USA
NAMGBR 2-1172
74B decripit but running!
http://home.earthlink.net/~jroverca/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
> Behalf Of Phil Bates
> Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:21 PM
> To: Gonaj@aol.com
> Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: adding an ammeter to a RBB
>
>
> One should listen - no doubt about it - and this can help
> diagnose a lot of
> things. Electrical systems, however, aren't always prone to make
> noises when
> they fail.. The gauges as a diagnostic aid is helpful.
>
> I installed an ammeter and a voltmeter in my '67 MGB about 6
> years ago (where the
> speaker used to be). One time, after having someone replace my
> generator due to
> bad bearings, I was driving from Indianapolis to Lancaster, PA,
> and in Columbus,
> OH, I noticed the ammeter pegged at discharge, and the voltmeter
> dropping. I
> stopped to buy a new generator, but no luck. So I went on further (it was
> daytime, and I figured I could drive for a while as long as I
> don't use the
> lights) and noticed the ammeter pegged at full charge, and the
> voltmeter at 15+
> volts - so I turned on everything I could find, and kept it down
> to 14.5volts for
> a while - long and short, there was a regulator problem. Then it
> went the other
> way again - to discharge. I was lucky enough to get home with
> the battery not
> being charged for 2 or 3 hours, but had I not caught the
> overcharging, I would
> have probably blown up a battery. Gauges in our old cars can be
> useful, and the
> idiot light would not show the overcharge situation. Neither
> would listening to
> the car's running noises, but a battery explosion right behind
> the passenger seat
> sure would be notable I think. I'm glad I didn't have to
> experience such a
> thing, and consider that the voltmeter and ammeter have been good
> for my car, and
> good for my physical well being too.
>
> Phil Bates
>
> Gonaj@aol.com wrote:
>
> > Hello All;
> > I have to differ as to the ability of these diagnostic aids to
> forwarn of
> > problems. The thing is you have to pay as much attention to
> their dials as
> > you do to small noises. Just a small change from the norm is
> indication of
> > something that should be checked into. If you wait for a big change you
> > might as well wait for the deafening silence when you turn the key.
> > By way of example, while driving my SUV recently i noticed a
> small change in
> > the voltage on the factory installed voltmeter. It was
> approaching the end
> > of it's 100,000 mi warranty so I immediately went to Mr.
> Goodwrench, AKA Mr.
> > Hasen't Got a Clue. There I was told that there was nothing
> wrong. Three
> > days later and past my waranty the light on the panel came on
> telling me that
> > the alt. had gone bye-bye along with $135.00 that I would have
> rathered spent
> > on my B.
> > By the way, the warning that the B's water pumt was going out
> was too late
> > for me to have one on the way before I had to quit driving it. What a
> > bummer, a perfect Fall weekend and the Bs in the garage.
> >
> > George
>
>
|