I used 2 part epoxy to glue a rare earth magnet onto the potjoint (it was larger than the supplied one). Homemade bracket to hold the pickup sensor. Had to add a few inches to the wire to get it to reach where I put the other end just under the center binnacle.

Jolt,

Details? Brand/model?

i went with the best of both worlds. i'm also using a bicycle speedo but mine is also using GPS signal....so no wires. it uses a mini usb to charge it. works great and very accurate.

Doug,

I thought I recalled someone on the message board using a bicycle speedometer.

Could you provide more information about how you mounted the sensor and trigger as well as routing of the wiring? How is it for visibility driving at night? (Either post or email direct: mplayle -at- att -dot- net)

I had thought about the gps speedometer as an accessory rather than a replacement. I was trying to plot a wiring arrangement that would make it portable between different cars. However, if not too difficult to secure the sensor and trigger, the cost of the bike computer is MUCH more attractive for my intended purpose. I'll research a few of the different models as all I anticipate needing is a basic one.

Good point Doug,

One of my realities is that the gauges have been sitting for 20 years - the others, the speedo would need mating to a non-stock T-5 tranny and the B tacho is 4 cyl. which would need modification for the V6.

Speed Hut has confirmed that it can add km/h inside MPH lettered speedo so with Euro font, white on black, at a glance, it will be very similar to stock Smiths unit.  And no need for tire diameter, rolling circumference, FD ratio etc. to modify speedo gearing.  Also programmable for 0-60 and 1/4 mile times/trap speeds.

Tacho can have matching font, dial/lettering etc. but at 8,000 rpm will not match B original.

However, new units will take up less space behind dash, will fit existing dash openings perfectly and bezels will be very close to original.  With blue backlight for nightime should be good solution to refurbish, modify old stock...and cost competetive.

Here's hoping!

Rick

Mplayle, if you want to keep the original speedo and add something more accurate, consider a Sigma bicycle speedo like I have in my car.  I use the Sigma BC1600L which includes an eeprom to store all the settings when the 3V coin cell battery in it eventually dies.  They are inexpensive, easy to adapt to a car, highly accurate, and allow you to keep the original speedo.  This is not to detract from Rick's solution, just to point out another option.

I have been looking at these on and off for the past year.  I will probably be picking up a full set sometime this summer to replace the original gauges that aren’t working proper anymore.  I will update this post when I do. 

The 61 Mini does not (yet) have any plug-ins. It is still positive ground with a generator. Will be converting to negative ground and alternator soon.

I had thought about a standard gps unit. I even looked at a relatively inexpensive Tom-tom unit, but it required a plug-in - no battery in it. Since I haven't converted the car yet, that was not much help. I would find one useful if I could readily plot club drive routes into it with being able to include the "scenic overlook" stops. As a drive leader, it is sometimes a challenge to pay attention to driving and remember to be on the lookout for such intended stops. Especially when you scout the drive in one car (with working odometer) and lead the drive in another car (with questionable odometer/speedometer).

Either standard gps or one of these gps speedometers would be a big improvement.

edit: They would also allow for leaving the current "original" center speedometer in place.

An installation in the B would see Speed Hut's units replace the in dash speedo/odo and tach so not readily removeable...but you are right, no fussing about tire size, FD etc.

A simple solution for erratic old Mini speedos is a unit like a Garmin.  Wiring kit is like $14 and you can move Garmin from vehicle to vehicle in moments.  My Garmin has been used in my Mini here and was used in the Clubman Van in Australia.  Installed wiring in the Aussie Van in minutes.  Wiring kit still in there for the return in '13.

Regularly it sits in the Jeep where route directions were/are helpful.  Jeep has more than one electric plug-in on the dash (ala the old cigarette lighters) so no additional wiring is needed.

I've no experience with these, but like the idea. I also like that they would be easy to move from one car to another. It would give an easy means to check the accuracy of a factory speedometer.

My 1961 Mini is of the "bitsa" variety - bitsa this year, bitsa that. I have a suspicion of the final drive, but no certainty of it or the match to the speedometer. Something like this would let me verify without a major dash modification and I could take it with me to another car in the future.

Thanks for the heads-up about the products.

Has anybody here used Speed Hut's GPS speedo/odos?  Or...tachs?  Any good?

Fully electronic, no speedo cable, gives elevation, can stage for 1/4 mile and 0-60 times etc. etc.

Lots of colour/finish choices for bezels, gauge faces, print styles, LED back lights.

With hot lead, GPS fires up almost instantly for speedo/odo.

Thinking about them for the MGB....