MGB Battery Monitoring

Sometimes, when you're working on one thing, it is a really good idea to take your mind off of it by working a little bit on something else. Today's post covers my distraction from Hapy's electrical issues.... with the battery issues on Oliver (the 1978 MGB). LOL. For my local-to-the-Pacific-Northwest friends, I hope you have heat and power. I know some friends have been without both since Friday. Grateful we are finally above freezing.

Flat Battery

Our saga begins with Oliver's battery going flat from being parked for a few weeks. I first noticed it in early fall after parking him in the garage for the winter and forgot to hook up the float charger. When discovered, I put the battery on the float charger like when it was parked outside, but wanted to know the root cause. I started with swapping out the battery for the battery we had pulled from donor Zed. That was a good battery that still held 12.5V almost a year after pulling it out of the donor. It barely fits in the battery box, but it would run flat if left off the float charger when hooked up to Oliver's battery cables. I decided there was something pulling vampire amps off the battery.

Clock

original oil temp
and clock look

I am sure there are faster, more scientific ways to figure this out, but this is what I did: I pulled all the fuses, and put the battery cables back on the battery. I left it like that for a week and found that the battery did not run flat. This told me that the drain wasn't from some ShadeTree wiring that did not run through the fuse-box. Then, I checked the amp draw across the fuse pins, and found that the draw from the bottom-most fuse registered on the meter. That fuse provides power to the interior lights, the trunk light and the clock. These old analog clocks consume much more power than their digital counterparts, because they need to run little motors that turn gears rather than a tiny computer to keep the time. I decided I would pull the clock and put in a gauge that might be more useful: a volt-meter.

 

This removal is interesting. The VDO gauges with which I am most familiar have a threaded collar that goes all the way around the base of the gauge. You push the gauge through the hole in your dash and then thread on the collar from behind. These original MGB gauges are not like that. Instead, there is a cross bar that is shaped like a "U" with a hole through the very center of it. That hole aligns with a threaded stud exiting the center front (again, front is front) of the gauge. Once the stud passes through the hole, the ends of the "U" press against the dash, and a nut is threaded on to hold it in place. While more elegant, it is actually harder to manage with 2 hands. Otherwise, I think it is the better mount because you can wire your gauge while it is dangling through the hole in your dash, test it and then mount it without disturbing the wiring. With the VDO mount style, you need to either be optimistic and run the wires through the collar suspended behind the dash -OR- do that after you have tested.

Volt Meter

volt-meter installed

The gauges in the old MGB were made by a company called "Smith". So, if you want your gauges to look authentic, it is best to buy Smith gauges. Here in the US, that is quite difficult to do in-person or at least within the borders. Enter eBayUK. I found someone selling off a perfectly good voltmeter that was era-correct from a different British car. It cost about $100US delivered, and it arrived faster than some other things I have gotten from the east coast. The wiring is quite simple. there is a ground protruding from the front (front-is-front) corresponding to the far bottom end of the voltage scale. On the other side, opposite the top-end of the voltage scale is the signal input. In-between is a tube into which a bulb is set. This requires the bayonette-style bulb similar to the clock, and the other gauges in the MGB. I just reused the one from the clock.

Testing

Of course, I could not just pull the clock and slap the voltmeter in without some tests. First, I wanted to see how/if it worked. So, I ran a wire from the negative post on the old MGB battery (sitting on the garage floor on a float charger). To the positive post, I ran a fused wire (wire to a fuse to another wire) to the supply-side of the voltmeter. The needle slowly moved up and settled just below 13V. Perfect.

 

Next, I grabbed the clock I had removed. I confirmed that the clock would run using the same test wiring set up first. Then, between the fused wire and the supply side of the clock, I ran my meter to see what the amp draw is. On the second to most sensitive setting... or is it least sensitive.. setting, I got an amp draw: 30. Interesting. I did the same thing on the voltmeter and got 3. So, the clock draws 10x as much juice from the battery as the voltmeter does. I figured that the voltmeter, even if it was on all the time, would allow the battery to hold a start-able charge 10 times longer. So, I decided that running the voltmeter to a switched source was not necessary. I may revisit that one day, but for now, I figure that I can look into the window of the car and see if we can go for a drive. More importantly, I could simply re-use the wires that I had just removed from the clock.

Install

volt-meter test with 
running lights on

Installing the voltmeter was quite easy. I plugged the red/white wire into the light bulb I scavenged from the clock. I plugged the black ground wire into the ground and the purple wire that used to run the clock into the voltmeter sensor plug. I confirmed the wiring by putting the battery cable back on. Yes, I could have done something with less potential for failure, but I would have had to do something like this eventually, and it was only 3 wires. I wrapped the end of the purple wire with electrical tape so I didn't accidentally short the circuit (and pop that fuse). Then, I set the gauge into the hole, put on the "U" with the arms touching the dash such that they were not anywhere near the supply side (running approximately from 1:30 to 7:30 on a clock-face). A quick thread-on of the retaining nut and it's in.

Between the weather and the pile of non-operational cars in the driveway, I cannot take Oliver out to test the gauge. But, since I hooked it into the always-hot circuit for the interior lights, I can verify that it works simply by looking at it. It currently reads just under 13V. So, we're good. I intend to leave the battery hooked up without a float charger and I will be checking the battery condition every couple of days. If the voltage drops enough for me to notice (or below 12V), I will put the float charger back on. at that point, I may search additional vampires. At this point, I think I slayed the one that was draining the battery.

That's it for today. Thanks, as always, for following along--

No Trip is Complete without a Snag

First: NO BUS CONTENT. Today is a trip report instead.
I haven't been to Bend in years. The last time, I went, my trip report (Hot Tub, Hot Thai and High Desert Snow) was one of the most viewed blog postings I've ever had. I don't expect this one to meet that level of reader interest, but the trip was equally adventurous. Back then, the boys were 11 and 8. This time, they're 17 and 13. Amazing how time flies. Similar to the last trip, this one was over Spring Break as well. I took the week off so I could hang out with the boys. C had already planned the first weekend with one of his friends, so we set up a trip for the last 3 weekdays of Spring Break. While we initially were looking for snow, we gave up and decided to try something completely different. Turned out, those were the warmest, sunniest weather days we'd had in the calendar year, so bully for us.

Getting Outta Detroit

Detroit Sleeps

Our exit from home was actually quite pedestrian. Unlike trips I'd taken with the boys years ago, we simply grabbed up some stuff, pulled a bag of groceries and set off. I look at the departure with such trepidation from early years of trouble, but without the ex-, and without a tight timeline, even the trip is part of the vacation. Late morning traffic in the middle of the week was no trouble, and before we knew it, we were north of Salem, turning onto OR22 and towards the Cascade Mountains. Past small farms and warehouses, the flat valley floor eventually turns upwards, and the roads start to wind. We passed the low-water Detroit Lake and stopped in the town of Detroit to stretch our legs. Frozen in time, Detroit waits for Summer. When Fall arrives, the businesses shutter, paused for the cold wet break between annual summer crowds. Being Spring, there was no movement. None. We slipped out quickly before the freeze took us.

Downtown Bend

near Black Butte Ranch

We hit Bend by mid-afternoon after noting the location of the big lacrosse tournament in Sisters. We checked into the Holiday Inn long enough to drop our bags and then headed for downtown Bend. T was anxious to show us OSU Cascade, but that would have to wait until after we ate. Intending to hear some live music, we hit the McMenamin's Old Francis School, but the singer-songwriter venue was standing-room-only. We ate, but with the time delays, and typical sluggish McMenamin's service, there wasn't enough light left to visit OSU Cascade. Instead, we cruised downtown Bend marveling at the number of pedestrians, and skateboarders. For the size of the city, there were a ton of skaters, and everyone seemed groovy with that. We wheeled back to the hotel, and tucked in early so we could hit Smith Rock with some energy the next day.

Smith Rockin

starting our descent

Smith Rock, if you've never been, claims to be the birthplace of "bouldering". After spending a day climbing around, I'm not about to argue. We didn't just want to walk a trail, but we didn't want to take a run at the wall either, so we headed down a horse trail (Homestead Trail) towards the river. As it neared a cliff drop-off, T & C decided that was as good a spot as any to go off-trail. Down the face they started climbing; I had little option but to follow. After about 50 nearly-vertical feet of descending, it leveled off on a lip where we could stand and rest. The rest of the descent was at least 60* to the river's edge which was littered with a healthy mixture of boulders and large-dog sized rocks. We chose to work our way upriver, looking for a spot where we could cross without getting our phones wet. After about an hour of clambering in a steadily warming sun, C was able to bounce back and forth from shore to shore, but T and I couldn't. We were able to find a spot where we all made it across after another 30 minutes, though.

climbing back up

We rested long enough for our sweat to dry and to splash some river water on our skin.. and have that dry. C then pointed his nose back across the river towards where we were parked and set off to find the most direct route back to the car. After a couple backtracks, he made it in under 30 minutes. T and I followed. Most of the ascent was straightforward rock-hopping. The final 20 vertical feet, however, were almost straight up with minimal hand/foot holds. While we climbed, a 4-some of bicyclist-styled climbers approached from below. They had found a trail marking that took them to "the ladder". We all arrived at the cliff lip at the same time, though, so I'm not sure their route was actually any better.

By the time we got to the car, Smith Rock was packed. There were people and cars everywhere, and more cars circling for a parking spot. We pulled out and visited the small shop (Rockhard) just past the state park line for drinks and ice cream. Dr. Pepper never tasted so good. After a few hours of clambering around on the rocks, we were hungry, so we hit a new local place in Bend.

Pop's Place
I learned of Pop's from restaurants-dot-com. I didn't link to them because Pop's proprietor, Sean, was not very enthusiastic about them. We were enthusiastic about Pop's, though. Tasty burrito's with flavor separation so you could taste every ingredient. Very fresh. Salsa bar. Sold. Sean & Co made us feel like regulars from the moment we walked in.

down and back again

OSU Cascade
From Pop's, we drove through town (10 minutes) to the OSU Cascade / COCC campus. As a high school junior, T is looking at colleges and OSU Cascade is at the top of his list. I can see why. Bend is flat-out awesome, and OSU Cascade is a small school within it. Smith Rock is 40 minutes away; so is Mt Bachelor, so for an active outdoor kid, Bend makes sense. OSU Cascade was not holding classes when we were there, but there is considerable active construction of multiple new buildings. The existing buildings are well maintained, and don't look terribly old either. With the alpine climate setting, sunny skies and dry air, I can see the attraction. I've since asked around about it, and indirectly I know a few folks who are there. They love it. The classes are smaller than a typical state school and the costs are in-line with typical state costs. Compelling.

No Trip is Complete without a Snag

satisfied faces post-lunch

We hit the hotel pool after visiting OSU Cascade, and then ate the pizza we bought as we were leaving Pop's. Even cold, that was some good pie. At some point, one of the boys went down to the car for something during the evening of watching a movie and accidentally locked us out. Unknowing, we scarfed our complimentary breakfast, packed out of the room and checked out. Arriving at the car, we discovered that we were unable to get into the cabin, but we could open the trunk. I have AAA because I drive a 40+ year old bus, but I think I've used it more on Flash, the Jetta. I used it again to get the door unlocked and the boys threw the lacrosse ball while we waited for the wrecker. The tow truck driver was fast. When the guy arrived, I sent the boys to the c-store for drinks. The car was unlocked before they got back, and the c-store was only just across the small parking lot.

snow-less Hoo Doo

HooDoo
Once back inside the car, we pointed towards the US20 and Sisters. Before we left the Central Oregon desert, we had one more stop to make: Sno-Cap. Sno-Cap isn't like most of the rest of the main strip through Sisters. It is more of the throw-back to yesteryear. The rest of the main drag has evolved into a new age gentrified scene attracting tourist-types and brunch fans. Being Spring Break, the US tourist was out in force, complete with cargo shorts, tall white socks with sandals and the occasional fanny-pack. Seriously people. Look at yourself. Anyway, Sno-Cap is a drive-in looking burger joint near the west end of town. Look for the line of in-the-know folks queuing out the door. The old guy behind the counter has been there forever, collecting orders and managing the flow. Behind him, there are 3 or 4 younger folks moving with great speed and purpose. So, while the line seems to move slowly when you're hungry, your order appears in front of you rather quickly once you've placed it. As T says, "we'll stop here every time".
Once fed, we sped westward, stopping at HooDoo Ski Area just to see what it looks like up close. The picture tells the story: virtually no snow. From the base, it was hard to imagine the trails, and the lodge looked small. I've heard the vibe is very similar to Ski Bowl on Mt Hood, so we'll want to come back when there's snow to give it a go.

The drive from HooDoo was uneventful and fast. Traffic was thin for a Friday afternoon heading into the Portland area from the south. We were home, unpacked and laundry rolling by mid-afternoon. Other than the one hang-up from the door locks, Flash behaved very well. Even his A/C was cold.

That's it for today. I've been making lots of progress on the battle against the rust I described in my last post. I'll update more fully next time. As always, thanks for following along...