Fitting an ammeter entails breaking the connection where all the brown wires
connect to the heavy current cable (typically at the solenoid) and running
two heavy gauge wires from there back to the gauge. The wires and
connections have to be capable of carrying up to 30 amps without significant
volt-drop or heating otherwise the car electrics will suffer. An ammeter
increases the fire risk and introduces several potential single points of
failure. This is why ammeters haven't been fitted for years, and where a
charging indication is provided, it is now done with a voltmeter which
utilises two standard gauge wires and can tap onto the brown and ground
anywhere in the car.
IMHO whilst both are capable of indicating loss of charge - which the
ignition warning light already does - none of them will tell you that your
car will start next time you want it i.e. an indication of charge is no
guarantee that the battery will have enough capacity.
It is also yet another gauge to fret about.
PaulH.
http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.hunt1/
-----Original Message-----
From: Edwin Vaughan <vaughme@mail.auburn.edu>
To: 'MG NUTS' <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: 08 April 1999 16:22
Subject: 77-80 consol mounted ammeter
>
>The cigarette/cigar lighter in my '77 B is broken. I do not plan on
>smoking and so thought about putting an ammeter in place of the lighter.
>Has anyone done this? Would there be a more useful gauge to mount (I
>can't think of one)? Is there an ammeter small enough to fit in the
>recessed area? Is there enough mounting depth? I assume that a Gibonizer
>(Dremel)will cut the 22 yr-old plastic without any/much cracking. Is that
>a proper assumption?
>
>Thanks for weathering my battery of questions,
>
>Edwin
>'77 B
>"I try to think but nuthin' happens"| The MG Filling Station
> -- Curly (the stooge) | http://www.auburn.edu/~vaughme
>
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