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MG MG Y Type - Cycle speedometer

Hi all
Having just returned from a 1025-mile trip to France, my only concern with the YB was trying to obey the speed limits, which the French police are more rigorously enforcing. Although armed with the mental equivalents in kilometres per hour, it is not always easy to check this when confronted by one of their, almost hidden, radar/camera machines.
On a thread back in 2011, I see that David Jones fitted a cycle speedometer to resolve a particular problem, but wonder if anybody else has successfully fitted one to a Y Type.
If so, where was the best place to site the magnet and pickup and how was it attached.
Grateful for any advice.
Thanks
Keith D Herkes

Hi Keith, the easy way to keep an eye on speeds sur le continent is a cheap Sat Nav. I use a little Garmin that gives me an accurate speed reference. The advantage of using this system is that no mods are required to car, you can swop between mph and kph and you can use the same bit of kit on any and all your cars classic or modern. I seldom use the Sat Nav feature for navigation as I usually pre plan routes and take into account the limitations of older motors on long fast roads. Hope this helps.
M C Bath

Hi.
Thanks for the suggestion, it is certainly worth investigating. Which model Garmin do you use and do you attach it to the windscreen or the dash?
Thanks.Keith
Keith D Herkes

Hi Keith, my old Sat Nav is a Garmin Nuvi as it is small enough to be unobtrusive mounted directly on centrally on windscreen under mirror. As these modern gizmos are polarity sensitive and there is no cigar lighter on dashboard the power supply comes from a short pigtail lead that clips directly to battery terminals.
It is easy on the YB as the battery is close to windscreen. I run lead from battery box from bonnet to opening windscreen. There is just a little length of wiring visible between bonnet and windscreen when fitted. When not in use it is a simple job just to disconnect leads and pop into glovebox.
If you want to see more photos of installation, email me on magnamick1215@live.co.uk and I can show you the whole setup.
I tried to attach photos to this link but I get a message saying that file is too big.
Best regards, Mick
M C Bath

Mick,

Have you considered sending this idea as an article for upload on IMGYTR site? May be that other Y Owners may consider your hint as worth wile option and others may benefit from your know how by small article with photos and description.

Regards

Richard
R E Knight

Hi Richard
I put a series of photos together for the IMGYTR and send it off to Paul. Have sent Keith basic photos of installation. The only piece that needs to be made up is the simple pig tail link that consists of two coloured crocodiles clips and a female socket connector. This pig tail is also ideal for using with a 12v lead light.
Best regards,
Mick

M C Bath

While you are messing about with ad hoc leads, you might just as well fit a cigarette lighter type plug permanently, with the correct polarity for modern kit of course.
I fitted the one in the attached picture to Y7207. Just the socket alone could be fitted somewhere on the dashboard I am sure.

Michael

Michael Nicholson

Hi, I fitted a cycle speedometer on a small bracket just to the right of the steering wheel, the speedometer can be unclipped quickly leaving no evidence! the sensor is fitted onto the rear brake drum, the fixed sensor is attached to the handbrake cable, the drum will need to be drilled and tapped to take the moving sensor, it took me about half a day to complete the job, including extending the cables. The whole unit has an internal battery and needs no further power supply. However, it does need calibrating, the instructions given do not give a sufficiently accurate reading. I set up mine using an Ordinance Survey map and a straight road where I could measure an accurate mile.
The cycle speedometer, once correctly set up is comparible to my Tom-Tom and the various speed indicator road signs around this area. Plus, it gives readings of time, distance covered, (trip) and total distance, plus maximum speed (mime currently shows 68mph)

A suitable socket for Tom-Tom and mobile phones etc. can easily be set up just behind the dash panel, out of sight.

If any one want's details of the setup, please contact me.

As a matter of interest, the original speedometer compares nicely with the "new" speedometer including distance, speed and trip as long as we bowl along below 50mph, then when exceeding 50 the magnetic speedo does its own thing, normally dropping down to about 30 when I know we're doing 60+

Hope that helps
Dave
D P Jones

I had a small problem of occasional loss of signal with my Tom Tom when used in the YA. This was resolved by opening the sun roof, I put it down to the near verticle windscreen. By the way fitting a
cigar lighter socket and -ve earth electrics helps to top up the charge.

Bryan
B Mellem

If you have an Android smartphone with gps you can get a satnav app for less than the cost of a stand alone unit. I use Co-Pilot - http://www.copilotlive.com/uk/personal/android.asp. It costs £29.99 for full Europe coverage.
I started with the program many years ago on a Windows pda. The cost has come down considerably since the. I can recommend it. I have no connection whatsoever with the vendor of the app.
Mike Long
M Long

Thank you all for your comments. I shall have a ponder and eventually decide which route to take.
Just completed a further 200 miles to the Morris Register Event at Thoresby Hall to accompany a friend with a 1934 Morris 8 van with matching trailer. A good turnout of cars. Happy motoring, Keith
Keith D Herkes

This thread was discussed between 06/08/2013 and 13/08/2013

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