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Old 04-11-2018, 11:22 PM   #1
1oldtimer
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Default Dumb gauge question

1941 Pickup, which is the ignition wire and sending unit wire on the gauges (it has an amp meter). Nothing is hooked up or there and I'm putting some NOS gauges in. I'm thinking it's the outside lugs (furthest away from the speedometer).

Thanks.

Told you it was dumb.......
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Old 04-12-2018, 07:54 AM   #2
JSeery
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

Do you have a wiring diagram? Does it help any?
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:18 AM   #3
rotorwrench
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

Amp meters on most of the early Fords are the induction type. One buss wire has to run through the loop on the back and in the correct flow direction for them to work. There is no physical connection.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:25 AM   #4
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

The wiring diagrams show an induction type on the cars and the two terminal type on the commercial, which I would assume would match the pickup.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:55 AM   #5
TJ
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

If you have NOS gauges they usually have a paper on the back and there is an I by one post(ignition) and an S by the other(sender).
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Old 04-12-2018, 02:16 PM   #6
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

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Here are some pictures of the 1941-47 ford pickup cluster with where the wiring should go. The wire going through the AMP gauge will depend on the voltage going through the pickup, either negative ground or positive ground. when you hook this wire up if it reads negative and should be positive it will need to go the other direction.
BILL WELLS
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Old 04-12-2018, 02:35 PM   #7
Cecil/WV
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

In many cases, the car has an ammeter and the trucks have a voltmeter. My new wiring harness for my '40 pickup was made to fit a voltmeter.
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Old 04-12-2018, 03:20 PM   #8
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

BG black/green wire is neg or hot wire from switch to guages.
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Old 04-12-2018, 04:35 PM   #9
bobwellsnoveltyshop
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

Cecil/WV I might add, 1940 ford cars, pickups and trucks had a BATTERY gauge and in 1941 they were changed to the AMP meter, so the new harness you have is correct. The battery gauge has two terminals.
BILL WELLS
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Old 04-13-2018, 09:27 AM   #10
1oldtimer
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

That's what I was looking for Bill, thanks.

I have the wiring schematic, I just wanted to make sure all the senders were on the right pole (I'm lazy and didn't want to take the gauges back out ). I looked at the gauge back and didn't see any indicators of where the wires go, I'll look again tonight.

Thanks everyone and thanks again Bill for the pics and the speedo.

Dan
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Old 04-14-2018, 10:32 AM   #11
slowforty
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

Try classiccarwiring.com they have a nice Large wiring diagram in color available
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Old 04-14-2018, 10:58 AM   #12
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Default Re: Dumb gauge question

A volt meter would read the system voltage at any given time. 6-volt for key on and around 7-volts for system in operation. An ampere meter reads current flow. It would show a discharge when cranking the engine followed by a charge indication after the engine comes to life & the generator comes on line. When the battery is fully recharged from starting then the indication would drop down to a lower rate depending on how much current draw is going on in the system. Switching the lights on should show an increase in the charge rate. Induction types are similar in function to amp meters but are less sensitive to current flow rates.

If an amp meter is connected incorrectly, ie the wires are crossed, it will show reverse of normal function. When charging, it will show discharge and when discharging, it will indicate charging. Swap the leads and it will read correctly.
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