The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Ark-Les Heater Switch

My '48 GMC has been converted to 12V and the rheostat function on the old headlight switch doesn't work. Some of the old Ark-Les heater switches use low-medium-high settings while others incorporate a rheostat and I'd like to run my dash lights through one of them. Since most of these switches were used in 6V applications I'm wondering if they will work in my 12V truck. Any experiences?

Thanks, Jim

Most folks like bright dash lights so just connect the dash light wire(s) to the tail light terminal on your current headlight switch. When your park or headlights are on your dash lights will be on full bright. I have the same issue on my '53.

You're right Tiny, I could just leave well enough alone. It's not like I drive very much in the dark anyway! In a previous posting about which light bulbs to use Wrenchbender Ret. suggested I use the smaller bulb from the high beam indicator in my gauges which would probably work fine.

But, I like my truck to work as it did when it was new and I use as much of the old stuff as I can and I'd prefer to have a working rheostat Another way would be to buy a new 12V reproduction light switch but then I'd want to modify an old knob to work with it.

I've probably gone off the deep end a little on this because I've just spent the last couple of days under my dash board cleaning up the wiring harness, doing some paint work, preparing to install my Frankensteined rebuilt original gauges including using an ammeter with my alternator. While I've never been accused of being very big, time spent folded under the dash- while interesting- isn't something I will ever want to do again. Once I'm done, I want to be finished for a good long time!

Maybe it's the fumes or maybe I'm just nuts.