5 replies to this topic

[Harryjt96]

Hi guys, I recently bought a 1990 Mini city for my 17th Birthday and am currently using it as my first car. The car currently on has A speedo, a temperature gauge and a fuel gauge on the dash and I wanted to install a Tacho on my car to help with learning to drive the car and cars in general. I have done a bit of work on the car myself so far, but I am pretty useless with car electrics and I know it. I was just wondering if anyone has done this to their car previously and how hard the install would be. Thanks, much appreciated. 
 

[alex-95]

It shouldn't be to difficult as the wires should be there already one bullet connector and maybe a green and purple behind the speedo?

[KernowCooper]

Most of the Rev Counter/Tachos have pretty much the same amount of wires

 

Earth

12v Ignition Feed

Pickup from Coil - Terminal

Feed in from Side Light circuit to  light the gauge.

 

The older type have a loop but they are for points ignition and rare now.

 

Obviously the wiring colours vary by manufacturer of the unit and there are lots in the FAQs showing what colour goes where

 

If your considering buying a older Smiths type and mounting one of those then ensure you get the RVC type printed on the dial, RVI is the older type  for points mentioned above, bear in mind though even the RVC type could  be 40yrs old and suffer from needle bounce or need a rebuild.

 

You could if you wish if you have a 3 dial pod put a standard Tacho in that and the wiring for that is most likely already there, your City may only be a 2 pod dash though.

 

Or you could fit a after market Tim unit which is still the period type here, which is a easy job http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5667e15573

 

 

Smiths also make a stand alone unit which is period but with Pod its approx £120, depends on your budget

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

Edited by KernowCooper, 12 January 2015 - 09:35 PM.

[westlin]

On the tach front, ive seen some adverised as positive or negative type. What tyoe does a mini need and do the newer smiths versions remove this issue

thanks

Stephen

[dklawson]

If your car was built after the early 1970s it should be negative earth.  I cannot tell you a transition date but in general, if your car has an alternator instead of a dynamo it will be negative earth.

 

There are classic Smiths tachs that are positive and negative earth.  The modern Smiths tachs made and sold by Caerbont are all negative earth.  Other brands of modern aftermarket tachometers will (with rare exceptions) be negative earth.

[westlin]

Thats great, negative it isas I have a alternator.