Temperature Gauge and 12v question

[Daisy2012]

Hello Newbie here

I have recently bought a 1987 Autosleeper Trooper

Great little camper but a few little things bugging me

1) The Water temperature gauge doesn't work. I've checked fuses, the sensor on the coolant tank is not clogged up . even had a quick look behind dashboard . Needle just stays stuck on left and doesn't move. The heater works and light goes out (albeit was a bit temperamental until last week , now seems to operate ok) and at the weekend I just ran the engine until hot and the radiator fan came on ok. Therefore do not think there is a problem other than the needle not working. Any ideas if it can be fixed or would it need a new complete gauge?

2) Have not got a cigarette lighter. Was thinking of fitting one for a sat nav. I have a Zig unit with a 12v plug. Does anyone know if you can connect a tom tom to this??? I cant seem to find a lead either long enough or with the correct fitting for one as the plug seems quite small in size.

3) finally leisure battery, I have looked at the forum and note a few batteries will fit under passengers seat. Are they easy to wire up? or if not can anyone recommend a decent place to get fitted. I live in reigate Surrey

Many thanks

Simon

[boatdog]

hi just noticed your post the sender in coolant bottle isnt for temp gauge its the low coolant warning (red led thet flashes on start up) depending what engine you have locate sender and short wire to earth, that should make gauge go to hot if it doesnt then its your gauge thats bust if it does its the sender, my moneys on the sender

[California Dreamin]

As he said ^^^^^ the actual gauges are quite reliable so the more likely fault is sender end in the engine bay. I've seen alot of these with bodged up wiring to sender switches where age/heat and movement have made the wiring brittle and corroded and so bits of wire and connections have been added etc.

Find the switch first...examine the wiring to the switch (a quick test is to simply earth out the connection and watch the temp gauge rise. I do remember some switches being fitted to the N/S pipework on my 2.1 (somewhere below and rearwards of the clutch slave cylinder). Push in switches with O ring seals and plastic retaining circlips on later types, screw fit on earlier..See;

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Martin