Voltage Stabilser

[mike.perry]

I have a Smiths electrical temp gauge in my Series MM which requires a voltage stabiliser which I removed from a 1098 speedo.
I wired it up and nothing happened. I then connected a test light from the input side of the gauge to earth and it pulsed about every two seconds. Without the stabiliser the gauge reads about 100 deg C
Any answers please?

[bmcecosse]

That's correct - it 'simulates' 10 volts by flicking on and off... Only works with 'hot wire' gauges like the later black fuel gauge and the temp gauge, where the needle moves slowly up the dial when switched on.

[mike.perry]

But it only flicks on and off for about half a second every two seconds which is not long enough to move the gauge

[bmcecosse]

I suppose it depends on the current draw by the gauge - but indeed it may be faulty... It should be ON more than it is OFF. You may do better with an electronic one from say Maplins.

[Theo_NL]

I bought and installed this one:

http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... 0catalogue

Electronic version in retro look, not cheap. Gives a nice and clean 10.5 V.

[mike.perry]

I have found another stabiliser, so far I have two 1098 speedo units and one other. I will try them out tomorrow. Why is it that the stabilisers on the speedos do not appear to be polarity concious and others do? The car is neg earth
The gauges are magnolia to match the original gauges in the car[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Because they simply work on a by-metallic strip...which heats up and bends away from the contact, then cools down and remakes the contact etc etc etc.. Just a flasher unit really!

[mike.perry]

Tried all three V S today, the most I got was the needle just moving off the stop.
Disconnected the V S and settled for an over reading gauge
Tomorrow hope to find out why one of my Windtone horns is not working, The horn is OK it is somewhere in the earthed return wire

[IslipMinor]

A 'modern' electronic alternative, if the car is negative earth, is to use a 10v solid state voltage regulator.

For example from Maplins their item 'N38CA', cost £1.09! It has a 1A capacity, so could run 2 or even 3 gauges if required.

Fitted one for the oil temperature gauge 17 years ago, checked the calibration in boiling water and it was about right, so have never given it another thought since.

Please note this is only for a negative earth car.

[bmcecosse]

Your needle 'just off the stop' may be correct! Have you measured the water temperature??

[mike.perry]

Yes, too hot to touch the header tank for more than a couple of seconds and the heater works well !!
Might try the Maplins unit, thanks

[Trickydicky]

Mike,

Here`s how to make one,

http://www.britishv8.org/articles/MGB-v ... ilizer.htm