The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Testing Dash Instruments

I have 2 separate dash clusters that I need to test the gauges on. One cluster has the actual gauges for temp, battery, oil and gas and the other has the fuel and idiot lights only. I have tried to find (via the web) if there is an easy way to test these off the vehicle w/o blowing them up. I realize that the oil gauge will have to have actual pressure on it, but will all the rest test with the same procedure...whatever that is? I hope I don't sound like an idiot myself here, but I am new to his "hobby". Thanks! Janine

Janine

The oil gage is simplest - you can test with compressed air. Use regulator and start at zero and crank regulator up. Have separate gage to compare to they should agree +/- 5psi or so.

Power for testing can be supplied with small batteries.

Have switch so you can turn on and off quick. Close sitch and see if goes right way - if not open switch. One or two second wrong should not hurt.

Temperature would be best done with sensor in cup of hot water with thermometer. Watch out for polarity.

Ammeter check meter to determine if it is to be connected in the line or if it is a 50 mV unit requiring shunt. You will need a load. Go to Radio shack and get a 5 and one ohm resistor. Connect resistor in series with meter - if line type. If shunt connect shunt inseries and connect the Output leads to meter.

Dan Bentler

Thanks Dan!I took a small battery and a cooupl eof test leads just touched them to the gas gauage and saw it move. Now, if it ever warms up enough, I'll go check the oil pressure gauge. (Living in MI is Hell in the winter for this. I need a heated garage!) Janine

JD dont try to [censored] me. It is 27 at my house today and I bet at yours.

Gary, You'd think I'd be use to this by now. But seems the older I get the less I like it. Maybe that's why all the old people in Florida are actually MI people? ;-)