I was intrigued by the upgraded speedometer fitted to the David Browne bespoke Minis, so I did a little more research. It is indeed made by Smiths and it's just come to market recently.
This new speedometer is no longer cable-driven, but is electronic and it is fully adjustable to account for different final drives, wheel and tire sizes. Change your wheels? Just adjust the speedo to keep it accurate. The warning/indicator lights are all LED, and the odometer is OLED with an integral trip odometer too. The fuel gauge is electronic too, but accepts traditional sending info.
Yup, it costs a bit more than a standard Mini speedo, but it's not going to read the wrong speed or have the odometer lock up at xxx99.9 miles like the mechanical ones typically do. The UK price is £349, so about $450 (that price likely includes VAT, so export price would be less). The crazy price at MiniMania for the speedo is $875.
Edit: I've just found that MiniSpares offer it for £300 without VAT, so that's about $390.
You can fit an electronic sender to the Mini gearbox where the cable usually goes, or go fully GPS and leave the old cable in place and ignore it.
The new speedometers come in both 90 mph and 130 mph Cooper S versions, in black faces and magnolia faces.
https://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/gauges-c4/car-gauges-c28/speedometers-c36/smiths-classic-mini-130-mph-black-digital-speedometer-p328
(http://www.smiths-instruments.co.uk/documents/dials/mini/mini-digital-oled-speedo-417.png)
Here's what they say:
"Manufactured for us by SMITHS in the UK we are pleased to introduce the Classic mini speedometer. Its designed as a direct replacement for the original single gauge and features a fuel gauge and warning lights. 90 MPH + KPH equivalent on inner dial. Easy calibration no need to worry about changing wheel or tyre size. Two line digital display featuring total mileage and trip mileage (resettable). LED warning Lights. Fuel Gauge operates with original fuel sender. Standard Mini Chrome Bezel 130mm Diameter Digital Gauge. Billet Aluminium rear casing. Standard fitting points. Direct 12 volt fitting no need for voltage regulator. Options available at additional charge. Digital Speed sensor replaces completely replaces the cable and attaches to the rear of engine. GPS Speed sensor, no need to remove old cable."
I had looked into those awhile back. Considering my speedo has frozen on 90k, might be something I end up buying.
Only for center speedo cars, right?
Quote from: MiniDave on July 15, 2017, 02:51:01 PM
Only for center speedo cars, right?
Yeah. Unless you do what David Browne did and mount the center speedo in front of the driver.
I don't think the style of Mini instruments that started with the Clubman were even made by Smiths.
The 90 MPH versions are a little hard to come by it seems.
I started the process in January and just received it. It came too late to put into the car at this time. I ended up buying mine from Nisonger who ordered it from Caerbont.
Some people have had some issues.
Terry
Quote from: BruceK on July 15, 2017, 03:07:01 PM
Quote from: MiniDave on July 15, 2017, 02:51:01 PM
Only for center speedo cars, right?
Yeah. Unless you do what David Browne did and mount the center speedo in front of the driver.
I don't the style of Mini instruments that started with the Clubman were even made by Smiths.
I like that DB version.....
My triple clocks are Japanese made......
I wanted to get one for my R1 powered mini. Keep the inside and out as stock as possible. Need to do some research as The R1 clocks need to be attached for the engine to start(as far as I have read into it)
Speaking of new speedos, what do you all think of this one with the tach in the bottom?
Looks too out-of-place to me.
It has the retro-modern hot-rod look and bulges out from the nacelle too much. Not a close enough match to the other gauges in the nacelle.
Quote from: MPlayle on September 20, 2017, 05:39:10 PM
Looks too out-of-place to me.
It has the retro-modern hot-rod look and bulges out from the nacelle too much. Not a close enough match to the other gauges in the nacelle.
Yes I agree with Michael. It's suffers for being a little similar but ultimately too different from the real thing. The wide and awkward bezel looks so wrong too.
I think the tach nestled in there is a good idea -- but it would really take having someone who is skilled in design to give it an appropriate 1950s/60s look. This one looks like it was made by a mechanic, not a designer.
I think the tach would be really hard to read, but I like the deco style of it......
On my Mini Traveller I had the normal central speedometer with the two small flanking gauges. But I installed a small 52mm Lucas tach in place of the temperature gauge and then used a combination temperature/oil pressure gauge on the other side of the speedo.
A bigger tach would've been easier to read but I was looking to keep things semi-original looking.
I don't think there's anything to be gained in the photo above by having a 52mm gas gauge and a very small tach.
This looks nice, but I don't understand why it's only center mount.. would that then be for the older models and not usable in the newer?
The double and triple clock setups in the newer cars use printed circuit boards and they are a different (smaller) size than the big center mount speedos.
The old speedo in the tin wagon died a couple weekends ago.
It was time to install the new electronic version.
The electronic sensor for the mechanical cable replacement seems to be a weak link. The adapter did not fit "nicely" and required some filing with a points file.
I ordered the second one from Digital Speedos on Monday and it arrived today.
Different brand sensor than the Mini Spares version. This one, a "Koso" brand did not require any adjustment to fit the drive.
Terry
It looks very nice. The circle around the 50 mark is just a refection, right?
Bruce, If you look closely, it is the reflection of the camera lens. You can see the rest of the camera reflected around it as well.
Yes that is an iphone reflection.
Total cost with shipping: £345.07/$455.29
I was just out checking the old speedometer from the Moke and I may want to consider one of these as a replacement. It was a tight fit getting the new cable into the back of the old speedometer and then very stiff to turn with the drill on reverse. It acted very sluggish - like gummed up inside. Also, it appeared to be leaking some sort of oily liquid from sitting face down on the table for a while.
I like that they have a calibration mode, so you don't have to guess at the speedometer drive values to determine which tpm value speedometer calibration is required.
tmsmini: Do you know what resistance range you fuel tank sender is and whether the gauge seems reasonably accurate? Does it use the old style voltage stabilizer on the back of the original speedometer?
My Moke's tank sender seems to be the 0 ohms=full, 270(ish) ohms=empty. If that is what the fuel gauge of these new speedometers uses, then it would be great.
Edit:
Did you have to order the sender as a separate part? If so, which one?
We paid $180 for a "restoration" on the old speedo, when it died a second time I was willing to chance one of these.
The fuel gauge does seem to be at least as accurate as before. It uses the range from stabilized gauges. I replaced the sender when I upgraded the non-stablized gauge. There is no voltage stabilizer external to the system.
Digital Speedos has a bundle and that is what the price I listed is for.
Smiths Classic Mini 90 MPH Black Digital Speedometer (SMH9003) £291.63 1 £291.63
KOSO Classic Mini Gearbox Adapter 3 Pin Connector (Wide Plug) £33.29 1 £33.29
· Mini Gearbox Year: Pre 1980
· Item to be delivered with Classic Mini 90 MPH Black Digital Speedometer (SMH9003)
https://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/speed-sensors-c9/koso-classic-mini-gearbox-adapter-3-pin-connector-wide-plug-p416/s670 (https://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/speed-sensors-c9/koso-classic-mini-gearbox-adapter-3-pin-connector-wide-plug-p416/s670)
Plus the FedEx shipping.
We only have about 40 miles on the first one, but I was confident enough to order the second.
And the price on Digital Speedo includes VAT when you first add the items. After it figures out you are in the US, the price drops.
I think I am highly likely to be ordering one in the next couple of days.
Ordered one today. Site showed them as "In Stock" so, maybe it will arrive by the end of next week?
Quote from: MPlayle on November 11, 2017, 10:23:55 AM
Ordered one today. Site showed them as "In Stock" so, maybe it will arrive by the end of next week?
Cool. A new speedo starting at 0.0 for a brand new Moke. 4.gif
My speedo doesn't work and I have a new motor to install. Hmm
You know, my Sigma bicycle speedometer I use was around $15. Just saying.
Prior to the disassembly, I was using my 7 year old Garmin Nuvi GPS. The only drawback was the sunlight coverage would often make it hard to read while driving.
I figure it would be nice to have everything working. As Bruce comments - "new" Moke, new speedometer.
I use my Garmin cause the speedo in the Racing Green is off a bit (reads 50 at 60 mph) and it's difficult to see anyway....I like having the Garmin right up in the left corner of the windshield, easy to see and keeps me apprised of what streets I'm coming to - you get to rely on it tho, which could be both good and bad.
In the other classic Minis I have had since buying the GPS, there has always been enough shading in the cabin for the screen to be readable wherever I put it. Not so in the Moke. The glare/brightness renders the screen barely readable in any location - worse if the top is down.
were you able to receive the part you ordered? how's it going?
There are a few of us that have ordered them. I have one installed with 80 miles on it.
It appears there are multiple sensors available for the speedos which require different wiring connections. There will be some wires that are not used depending on your installation.
I used bullet connectors with sleeves to install mine. When the next one goes in, I will take more pictures. The pink wire on the speedo wiring harness is more light tan than pink.
The mounting ring has a top and bottom to it to fit in the pod, but it is not marked. I assumed it was symmetrical. My first speedo came with no "J-nuts" for the mounting bracket. My original speedos had captive nuts, so I had to find some 10-32 j nuts. If you have a later speedo you can take the j-nuts from the old and place them on the new.
There appear to be some different models than what you might see on either Mini Spares or Digital Speedos.
I would test fit the electronic sensor on the speedo drive to make sure it fits. The first one I got required some attention with a points file to fit.
Some people don't like the color of the lights. The odo and trip meters are yellow. The instrument lights are a cold color compared to the tungsten lights in the other gauges.
Terry
Quote from: Minty on November 26, 2017, 08:30:03 PM
were you able to receive the part you ordered? how's it going?
I got the speedometer in just fine. I've been working out the wiring for it at the same time as crossing over to a complete new harness for the Moke. I posted a progress update on that thread.
An update on this...
The electronic speedo is in our tin wagon the car with the SC EFI system. It was time for a tune up which really means just valve lash, check plugs and change oil.
I took it for a drive to warm up the oil and the speedo needle started bouncing. Not sure what it means as I need to finish the oil change. This one has the sensor from Mini Spares, but I do not think it is the sensor. The needle bounced at idle in the driveway. Just hit 100 miles on the speedo.
I will check the wires and reset the gauge, but obviously not happy. I hate doing jobs multiple times...
Terry
False alarm, installer error
There are about 4 wires that are not used depending on the sensor. I placed those in heat shrink tubing, but it was really too large for the small wires. It fell off and one of them may have been grounding out. Re-insulated the unused wires and appears to be working.
Terry