What, no ammeter?

[Andy8421]

I have recently purchased a 'complete set of new old stock' instruments from eBay, and felt cheated that the seller didn't include the ammeter.

I picked up a new dash this morning from 'Classical Dash', and felt equally cheated that there was no hole for an ammeter either. I spent some time chatting with Colin (Ian's colleague) who apart from being one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet, was convinced that the Elan Sprint didn't have an ammeter. I had taken a picture along with me of my ratty old dash showing the ammeter, and then google searched pictures of 'Sprint Dashboards' to demonstrate to Colin that they all had ammeters - and they don't.

Was the ammeter an original fitment in the Sprint? Or are all the ammeters in the cars I have seen (and the one I own) after-market fitments?

I would like to add that Ian and Colin at Classical Dash have been great, excellent communication from Ian, and Colin was extremely helpful - even offering to use his high speed router to cut a hole for my ammeter if I didn't mind waiting a few minutes. I chose not to have the hole, and do a bit of research first. Picture of the dash below, which doesn't do it justice, it really does look great.

Sprint Dash from Classical Dash

[Andy8421]

Just for comparison purposes, picture of my existing ratty old dash in situ, showing the rogue (?) ammeter.

Existing ratty old dash

[JonB]

Was the ammeter an original fitment in the Sprint? Or are all the ammeters in the cars I have seen (and the one I own) after-market fitments?

All after market. Even the Plus 2S with all its gauges didn't have one.

[alan.barker]

Hi Jonb,
Sorry but the +2S did have an Ameter 1969/1970 approx.
The +2S130 had a Volt meter /Battery Condition meter.
Still on your learning curve lol.
Alan

[draenog]

In fact, all +2 had an ammeter until 0218L (dynamo replaced with alternator). The additional instruments with a +2S was a clock and ambient temperature (takes anorak off).

https://lotuselan.net/wiki/BHS_-_Body_-_Instruments_Late_%2B2

[alan.barker]

+1 100%.
Changed with +2S130 when Volt Meter/Battery Conditioner fitted.
Taken my Anorak off also.
Imho i don't like Ameters with all that current behind the Dash.
Alan

[smo17003]

I just have a cheap Ebay/Amazon voltage meter that plugs into the cigar lighter. It also has a USB port for the phone etc.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404351605877 ... I8QAvD_BwE

Mike

[h20hamelan]

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45572

Does an ammeter if hooked up inline like described send too much current thought the system without a shunt?

https://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/in ... nator-use/

[Baggy2]

A couple of pages from the Lotus manual manual in case they help with the ' did the +2 have ammeters' debate.
BTW - I like ammeters as they give an instantaneous indication of what's going on where battery voltage reacts fairly slowly and a problem may become apparent hours after the fault occurred.

[davidj]

Don't no why the conversation has drifted onto the +2 which was totally different. Anorak removed Andy has a 2 seater, and they were never fitted with ammeter, although I have seen some retrofitted with the gauge where the cig lighter was.

[h20hamelan]

My mid 67 S4 has an ammeter, and wiring appears to be stock.

[steve lyle]

If you google automotive fires, or similar, you’ll find that ammeters are commonly involved. I can’t think of a modern car that uses one.

[alan.barker]

+1 and another Baby dies in a fire
Alan

[Andy8421]

My mid 67 S4 has an ammeter, and wiring appears to be stock.

Following my dash surprise, I have subsequently checked the manual for the description of the dashboard and also the wiring diagram for the Sprint / S4, neither show an ammeter.

[Andy8421]

If you google automotive fires, or similar, you’ll find that ammeters are commonly involved. I can’t think of a modern car that uses one.

Steve, you are right about the fire risk on old motors like ours, but modern cars do have fancy current monitoring built into their electronics. You don't get to see the display, but its how modern cars spot blown bulbs for example, when you switch a circuit on and the current draw isn't as expected. Typically the voltage drop across a main supply cable is measured by the electronics.