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Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:01 pm
by ianmack
Browsing the wiring diagrams in a 1970 handbook I was suprised to see that they show an ammeter on the alternator equipped cars. I’ve seen plenty of Minors with ammeters over the years but only accessory fitments, usually owner fitted and often on homemade brackets and with dubious wiring.

Has anyone got Minor with an original factory fitted ammeter? Or does anyone know how and where on the car they were fitted?

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:08 pm
by ianmack
And here’s a scan of the diagram. The ammeter is item 58.

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 11:45 am
by jaekl
The parts book show an optional water temperature gauge and a basic after market mounting bracket that looks like it would mount under the fascia. I haven't seen one of those either but the ammeter probably would have been done the same way. The driver's side ash tray (chrome swivel type) holes are a good location for a bracket with a wide bolt hole centerline.

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 11:28 am
by ianmack
If noone has ever seen an original factory ammeter they remain a mystery. As the 1970 book carries the BL logo I suppose it might have been intended when the diagram was drawn but perhaps they never got around to actually doing it.

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 10:16 am
by palacebear
I've been thinking about this one. I don't recall any of BMCs A-Series cars having a factory-fitted ammeter and very few B-Series cars (MG and Riley saloons being the only ones that come to mind). The ammeter seems to have been a 'luxury' item in BMCs view as it was a factory-fit in a fair few larger C-Series models. I'm struggling to think of any BL-era cars which had one fitted, except in the higher end Daimler/Jaguar/Rover ranges... luxury models again.

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:30 pm
by Rasputin
The police pandas were fitted with 11ac Alternators with fitted ammeters,presumably by the factory,also positive earth.

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:49 am
by ianmack
I believe the panda cars varied somewhat as local forces had their own specifications. As quite a few survive does anyone have one with an original ammeter?

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 9:11 am
by ManyMinors
ianmack wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:49 am I believe the panda cars varied somewhat as local forces had their own specifications.
That is certainly the case. I once owned a panda car and that was certainly supplied with a standard dynamo. No ammeter.

Re: Factory fitted ammeter?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:05 am
by ianmack
I saw a restored panda yesterday and it had an ammeter, but since it was on an accessory type bracket below the dash I couldn’t tell if it was an original or subsequent fitment. The owner wasn’t with the vehicle to ask but if that was yours at Broughton Pageant I thought it was very nice.