The Ford Barn

51504bat · 10-25-2021, 06:32 PM

Moving along with the rewire/12 volt conversion on my '54 Ranch Wagon. I'm a bit confused on the wiring hook up. Neither terminal on the gauges is marked for power or sender. The wiring on the one panel I have isn't any help for color coding. Are the terminals interchangeable? If not how do you determine which is the power and which is the sender?

Daves55Sedan · 10-25-2021, 07:05 PM

Facing the back of the instrument cluster, the factory terminated the incoming power wire at the right-hand terminal of each (closest to the power source, which is most likely the "coil" terminal of the ignition switch. The outgoing wire to the sending unit goes to the left-hand terminal of each.
If using the original King-Sealey guages, it doesn't matter which terminal you use. They are not polarity sensitive.

51504bat · 10-25-2021, 07:35 PM

Thanks. Using original KS gauges with a Ford instrument cluster reducer on the input wire. Thought it was strange that the terminals weren't marked but I guess no need to if they can be hooked up either way. Regardless I'll wire them as you indicated.

fordor41 · 10-25-2021, 10:30 PM

If your '54 was originally 6V you'll have to put a voltage reducer on the B+ feeding the gauges

51504bat · 10-25-2021, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordor41

If your '54 was originally 6V you'll have to put a voltage reducer on the B+ feeding the gauges

Using a Ford cluster reducer to reduce 12 to 6 volts

dmsfrr · 10-26-2021, 12:13 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

Facing the back of the instrument cluster, the factory terminated the incoming power wire at the right-hand terminal of each (closest to the power source, which is most likely the "coil" terminal of the ignition switch. The outgoing wire to the sending unit goes to the left-hand terminal of each.
If using the original King-Sealey guages, it doesn't matter which terminal you use. They are not polarity sensitive.

51504bat,
If you read thru this page about converting 6 volt '55 T-Birds it will probably help you out.
https://www.ctci.org/battery-for-6v-to-12v-conversion/

Attached photo: The old King-Seeley Temp & Fuel gauges and sensors use bi-metal switching contacts, not variable resistance. They are self-limiting due to the heat driven switching action and are not normally voltage sensitive either. You may or may not need the '57+ style gauge voltage reducer.

They also aren't often compatible with newer replacement or after-market parts.

51504bat · 10-26-2021, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

51504bat,
If you read thru this page about converting 6 volt '55 T-Birds it will probably help you out.
https://www.ctci.org/battery-for-6v-to-12v-conversion/

Attached photo: The old King-Seeley Temp & Fuel gauges and sensors use bi-metal switching contacts, not variable resistance. They are self-limiting due to the heat driven switching action and are not normally voltage sensitive either. You may or may not need the '57+ style gauge voltage reducer.

They also aren't often compatible with newer replacement or after-market parts.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Daves55Sedan · 10-26-2021, 05:24 PM

My understanding of the '57 and later voltage reducer shown in the photo is that it is NOT really a voltage reducer at all, but a regulator which helps to even out the needle on the guage. That unit was not factory installed in the '54/55/56 cars for the guages and was not included until 1957.

10-25-2021, 06:32 PM	#1
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,013	Temp and Fuel Gauge Wiring Moving along with the rewire/12 volt conversion on my '54 Ranch Wagon. I'm a bit confused on the wiring hook up. Neither terminal on the gauges is marked for power or sender. The wiring on the one panel I have isn't any help for color coding. Are the terminals interchangeable? If not how do you determine which is the power and which is the sender? __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

10-25-2021, 07:05 PM	#2
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Temp and Fuel Gauge Wiring Facing the back of the instrument cluster, the factory terminated the incoming power wire at the right-hand terminal of each (closest to the power source, which is most likely the "coil" terminal of the ignition switch. The outgoing wire to the sending unit goes to the left-hand terminal of each. If using the original King-Sealey guages, it doesn't matter which terminal you use. They are not polarity sensitive.

10-25-2021, 07:35 PM	#3
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,013	Re: Temp and Fuel Gauge Wiring Thanks. Using original KS gauges with a Ford instrument cluster reducer on the input wire. Thought it was strange that the terminals weren't marked but I guess no need to if they can be hooked up either way. Regardless I'll wire them as you indicated. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

10-25-2021, 10:30 PM	#4
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,516	Re: Temp and Fuel Gauge Wiring If your '54 was originally 6V you'll have to put a voltage reducer on the B+ feeding the gauges

10-26-2021, 05:24 PM	#8
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Temp and Fuel Gauge Wiring My understanding of the '57 and later voltage reducer shown in the photo is that it is NOT really a voltage reducer at all, but a regulator which helps to even out the needle on the guage. That unit was not factory installed in the '54/55/56 cars for the guages and was not included until 1957.