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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Temp Gauge Options...

Hello all,
The capillary tube for my '75 midget managed to survive 15 years of being boxed and moved more times than I can count, but as soon as I attached it to the car I heard a long slow hissing sound as the gas inside escaped.

So...I see many temp gauges in local "car stores" but they're all electrical. Where does one attach an electrical version on these cars? I was at a parts swap on the week-end and came up empty for my car.

Thoughts / recommendations?

Chris
Chris Elkerton

I think the later 1500s had an electric temp sender and gauge...
David Smith

Chris, the aftermarket gauges will work. They need a power source and a sender unit to match the gauge and can usually be bought as a matched pair. You decide where to mount the gauge and merely run the wires and Bob's your uncle.

Clive Reddin

Clive,
I see them at Crappy Tire and they're not expensive, but aside from the mounting / wiring, where's the gauge getting its reading on temperature from?

With these cars, as you all well know, having accurate temp readings is a must!

Chris
Chris Elkerton

I used the original hole that the capulary tube went in to....but dont buy cheepos...buy quality and you will enjoy it at least 3 years ....

Prop...3 years and counting with an electric temp gauges...Prop
Prop

Chris

With elec gauge you have the option of using a 2nd sensor (same as the water one) and using a single pole changeover switch to connect one or tother to the gauge - for water and oil temp. Quite a neat enhancement for the cost of switch and sensor. Plumb into sump.

A
Anthony Cutler

As far as i know only the mechanical watertemp gauges also have an oilpressure bit in it but on the electric ones the oilpressure part is left out.
This would mean you need to fit an extra gauge in your dash.
Arie de Best

"Anthony Cutler, Gt Malvern, UK
Chris

With elec gauge you have the option of using a 2nd sensor (same as the water one) and using a single pole changeover switch to connect one or tother to the gauge - for water and oil temp. Quite a neat enhancement for the cost of switch and sensor. Plumb into sump.

A "

A few more details on this set-up for the electrically inept would be appreciated thanks.

My temp guage is currently inop and this sounds like a great option without having to add an extra guage.
B Slater

Later cars ('78-on) did have a electric temp gauge, but the oil pres. gauge portion was replaced by an "idiot" light on the dash. What a poor decision by BL for a vehicle with an engine that is well known for oil and bearing issues.

Tell me, is there anyone who knows how to convert the temp portion of the smiths dual water temp/oil pres. gauge into electric?
Ron Koenig

Hi B

The easiest way to consider this is to:

1. Wire up the temp sender to the gauge in the normal manner, and check it works OK.

You should use a voltage stabilizer to supply the +10v for the gauge. The wiring would be:

- fused ingition (green wire on box) -> voltage stabilizer in
- voltage stabilser out -> gauge +ve terminal
- gauge sender terminal -> sender unit

2. Fit the oil sender unit and run a wire to the dash.

3. You should have a single pole changeover switch.

4. Put the sender unit wires from respective senders to the 2 switched terminals of the switch.

5. Put the gauge 'sender terminal' (the terminal you've just disconnected) to the pole terminal of the switch.

6. Now the gauge will show the temp of whichever sender is switched through to the gauge.

A
Anthony Cutler

^^^^^^^^^

Thanks very much.
Might have to give that one a try.
Cheers.
B Slater

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2009 and 22/04/2009

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