Anyone know of a voltmeter that the needle comes from the top of the gauge? My google is letting me down? Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Then it’ll read backwards to the rest of my gauges...not sure if that’ll play with my mind... Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
You ole boys have got something about Lucas haven't you. Had Lucas for a lot of my life and never heard of a problem that was out of the ordinary. Reckon you must have got Chinese shit marked up as Lucas that side of the water.
Done enough electrical troubleshooting in British sports cars to understand why Lucas has been called the prince of darkness. One MG had 3 positions on the lights: dim, flicker, and off.
Ordered a sunpro voltmeter that is virtually identical, my plan is to disassemble the new gauge and put it in the Fargo where the ammeter is. I’m really just looking for an indicator that the charging system is working. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I had a company convert my ammeter to a voltmeter. Did not change face, but knew 12 volts was right about 12 o'clock.
I’m curious as well, I’m just cheap...I think it should be relatively simple, I have a spare gauge set to take apart first Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Well, Lucas is found on the majority of British vehicles so to you it's 'normal'. We know better... LOL. I had a Jaguar monkey on my back for a while, and while I love those cars, the ever-continuing electrical issues finally wore me down. I may own another one some day, but the first order of business will be to completely rewire it minus all Lucas parts... Q. Why do the British drink warm beer? A. Lucas refrigerators....
Napa has a 2 inch volt gauge that the needle hangs down NAPA 501-1713 VOLTMETER GAUGE 2" BLACK | eBay Sun pro's looks about the same Sunpro 2" Voltmeter Gauge Black / Black Bezel CP7985 0-18V NEW IN PACKAGE | eBay I used the gauges out of an early 70's International Travelall in the dash of my 51 Merc by taking them out of the original housings and putting them in the Merc instrument panel. No Volt meter though.
You could use a red light to illuminate the ammeter as an idiot light. But the needle wouldnt move. I'm assuming you have an alternator which supports an idiot light.
Actually, Lucas gauges are quite good. That is how you know exactly how your system is falling apart. Bob
Yea, I thought of a light as well. We will see how this goes first! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
My other plan was a 60 amp ammeter guts I the stock gauge. Then I have to change some wiring. The voltmeter is simpler... Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Most of the troubles with the Lucas stuff is either ground/earth connections not tight or, as in my case, previous owner(s) screwing around with the wiring and buggering things up.
Sorry guys...work got in the way of me checking HAMB. No secret, here you go --> https://www.speedo55check.com/, located in Whittier, CA.
These were two totally different companies. Smiths were more a instrument company and they made heaters. Lucas were more into generators, starters, distributors, lighting and cabling and that sort of thing.
The Ammeter is simpler. You can set it up to handle more current by running a shunt, which is simply a wire in parallel with the ammeter. If the resistance of the shunt is the same as your 30 amp ammeter, then 30 indicated on the ammeter is actually 60. Ah, the good old days of the HAMB.
Yea, the volt meter is just a new wire for it, ammeter involves undoing harnesses at this point, I will admit I hadn’t thought of a shunt. The more I think about this the more I like the idea... Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
The Jalopy Journal
