Temperarute gauge!

[Harylufa]

Hi all!

I have a doubt. Can an electronic gauge being installed in my Ford 1946 12volt???

It is called Dragon gauge. It is from China. It is digital and the electrician told me that the ignition coil interference with the gauge when engine start.

Is this true? Do you have any experience with those gauges?

It is important for me your comments.

Hary

[66miles]

Seems like most everything from China is called a "Dragon" something. I've never tried such a thing but if I did, I'd be sure to put that guage somewhere only you can see it!
Goog luck,
Miles.

[51 MERC-CT]

Although they are not the same brand, I am running dual digital temp gages on mine on 12 volts with no problems.

[Old Henry]

Harylufa, Has your car been converted to 12 volt? If not, the gauge would not work.

[Harylufa]

Hi!

Yes my car is 12volts, I have just tested and when I turned the key on the gauge work but when the engine starts it turnes off.
I know that my car has a resistor to the dashboard to work with all the original gauges at 6 volts. But the coil is 12volts and the electrician say the gauge does not work because it spark plug interfere like a radio.

Sorry but i do not understand much about electricity.

thanks for comments and helps

Hary

[fordor41]

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Are you running the new gauge off 6 V or 12V? Maybe you picked the power from the wrong spot and have 6V .

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Harylufa

Hi!

Yes my car is 12volts, I have just tested and when I turned the key on the gauge work but when the engine starts it turnes off.
I know that my car has a resistor to the dashboard to work with all the original gauges at 6 volts. But the coil is 12volts and the electrician say the gauge does not work because it spark plug interfere like a radio.

Sorry but i do not understand much about electricity.

thanks for comments and helps

Hary

There is a possibility that if you have solid core spark plug wires that they may be the problem. I know that solid core spark plug wires have caused malfunctions in electronic ignition systems due to radio emissions. The fix is to install spiro-wound resistor plug wires. Don't know if this will fix your problem, but it's one possibility.

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

There is a possibility that if you have solid core spark plug wires that they may be the problem. I know that solid core spark plug wires have caused malfunctions in electronic ignition systems due to radio emissions. The fix is to install spiro-wound resistor plug wires. Don't know if this will fix your problem, but it's one possibility.

Hi!

I have an standard two points distributor with 12v coil, it is not electronic ignition system.
Concerning spark plug wire it is a wire with many multiple small wires.

Engine starts at 12volts.

Hary

[Old Henry]

Or, you could install a mechanical gauge that would have no such problems. Here's how I did mine: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88541

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by fordor41

Are you running the new gauge off 6 V or 12V? Maybe you picked the power from the wrong spot and have 6V .

This electricians did the conversion from 6v to 12v some years ago. So, I do not think he did a mistake, when he saw the electronic gauge he immediately said that spark plug would interferer, then he installed all the way and happened what he thought.

Hary

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

Or, you could install a mechanical gauge that would have no such problems. Here's how I did mine: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88541

Henry!

Thanks for you post,I have read it all before and someone recommended me to do the same like you to avoid problems. Orlan Rover is an option.

But i would like understand why it dos not work...

Hary

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Harylufa

Hi!

I have an standard two points distributor with 12v coil, it is not electronic ignition system.
Concerning spark plug wire it is a wire with many multiple small wires.

Engine starts at 12volts.

Hary

"Many multiple small wires" are considered to be 'solid' wires.
I understand that you don't have an electronic ignition system but the temp. gage is electronic and the R.F.I. (radio frequency int.) from the plug wires may effect the gage the same way.
Perhaps as Old Henry says a better option would be a mechanical gage.

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

"Many multiple small wires" are considered to be 'solid' wires.
I understand that you don't have an electronic ignition system but the temp. gage is electronic and the R.F.I. (radio frequency int.) from the plug wires may effect the gage the same way.
Perhaps as Old Henry says a better option would be a mechanical gage.

Hi 51-Merc

Ah..ok. it is very clear what you explain. It is the first time I hear that my wires are solid....now, i am understanding the problem.

So, as you wrote above "spiral-wound resistor plug wires. Don't know if this will fix your problem, but it's one possibility."

So the electrician was right, was he? must I change the spark plug wire???

Here in my Country have Orlan Rober as better gauges. So, i will isntall them.

What do you think?

Thanks for your good helps

Hary

[Ross F-1]

It soounds like your car uses 12v for starting, but is otherwise 6v? If so, the gauge isn't going to work.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Harylufa

Hi 51-Merc

Ah..ok. it is very clear what you explain. It is the first time I hear that my wires are solid....now, i am understanding the problem.

So, as you wrote above "spiral-wound resistor plug wires. Don't know if this will fix your problem, but it's one possibility."

So the electrician was right, was he? must I change the spark plug wire???

Here in my Country have Orlan Rober as better gauges. So, i will isntall them.

What do you think?

Thanks for your good helps

Hary

As I said the wires may be a possibility and if they are the problem then if the Orlan Rober of which you speak are electronic, then they may have the same problems.
Not saying that changing the wires will solve the problem but it is a direction to go.
This is what Spiro-wound wires look like.

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

It soounds like your car uses 12v for starting, but is otherwise 6v? If so, the gauge isn't going to work.

Ross F-1

Only dashboard work in 6v, in this way can work all original gauge.

thanks

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

As I said the wires may be a possibility and if they are the problem then if the Orlan Rober of which you speak are electronic, then they may have the same problems.
Not saying that changing the wires will solve the problem but it is a direction to go.
This is what Spiro-wound wires look like.

51-Merc

I understand what you say.I am going to install an mechanical Orlan Rober gauge. concerning wires the pic you attach is not like the wire I have.

Tomorrow I will attach a spark plug wire pic

Thank for your time

Hary

[koates]

Hi there, Your copper wire spark plug wires transmit a Radio frequency (RF) through the air just like a radio transmitter station or a two way radio set when your engine is running. This is normal so nothing wrong. Don't change your spark plug wires. Your electronic digital temp gauge is receiving these radio signals from the plug wires (just like a radio receiver in your home) and the gauge internal circuit is interrupted . Don't use that digital gauge anymore. Use the mechanical temp gauge as already suggested OR use a normal 12 volt electric temp gauge which has a pointer on the dial. It operates using a sender unit in your cylinder head with a single sender wire connecting to the gauge. It will work OK as it is ELECTRIC not ELECTRONIC. Hope this is a more clear explanation for you. Regards, Kevin.

[Harylufa]

Originally Posted by koates

Hi there, Your copper wire spark plug wires transmit a Radio frequency (RF) through the air just like a radio transmitter station or a two way radio set when your engine is running. This is normal so nothing wrong. Don't change your spark plug wires. Your electronic digital temp gauge is receiving these radio signals from the plug wires (just like a radio receiver in your home) and the gauge internal circuit is interrupted . Don't use that digital gauge anymore. Use the mechanical temp gauge as already suggested OR use a normal 12 volt electric temp gauge which has a pointer on the dial. It operates using a sender unit in your cylinder head with a single sender wire connecting to the gauge. It will work OK as it is ELECTRIC not ELECTRONIC. Hope this is a more clear explanation for you. Regards, Kevin.

Hi!

Ok, very clear...today I bought two mechanical gauge Orlan Rober, I will install them.

I really did not know about RF could cause problem with those Electronic Digital Gauge. I bought those gauge to have more precision in temperature.

Every day I am learning something thank I meet in FordBarn.

I really appreciate your explanation and help.

Hary

[Harylufa]

Hi all¡

Finally mechanical temperature gauge installed.

What do you think?

Hary