Repair Gauges - 641 Workmaster

[Jim.ME]

Question... If I go to back to the OEM for a '58 641 it will be the fuel gauge, the temp gauge, oil pressure gauge and proof meter. I will lose the amp gauge which was probably installed when they did the 12v conversion - maybe. I have a steel plug where the amp light should go. My question is... how does that light work?

It needs to be wired in to the current charging system in the correct place. Telling us what the current charging system is; is the starting point to help answer your question.

 

[showcrop]

Question... If I go to back to the OEM for a '58 641 it will be the fuel gauge, the temp gauge, oil pressure gauge and proof meter. I will lose the amp gauge which was probably installed when they did the 12v conversion - maybe. I have a steel plug where the amp light should go. My question is... how does that light work?

It comes on when you turn the key switch on and goes out once the motor is running.

 

[JMOR]

It comes on when you turn the key switch on and goes out once the motor is running.

and charge light wired differently whether generator/regulator or alternator, along with which of many alternators it might be.

 

[Delgriffith]

I was thinking about ordering a bunch of stuff from Steiner, but this is good info. How did the return and replacement process with them go?

Steiner was good about the two times I had to "return" it. They didn't require me to send the gauge back, which was nice. I wasn't on hold for a long time and they weren't at all debating whether I installed it correctly. They just asked me to keep the gauges in case they wanted them back. They were quick to send the replacements. The third one seems to be holding up still.

I'd like to think if I sent back the broken ones they would go to the manufacturer's engineering department and they'd have a look at how to fix it. I'm guessing that absolutely never happens these days with much of anything other than high end specialized equipment that is still domestically made.

 

[Btzj02]

I have a bunch of diodes available. If you determine you need one I can mail you one gratis.

 

[AlabamaDan]

I have a bunch of diodes available. If you determine you need one I can mail you one gratis.

Diodes?

 

[Jim.ME]

Diodes?

His offer of sending a diode, is in case you need one for your charging system, to wire it correctly.

You asked about wiring a light in, to make it similar to original, and "losing" the ammeter. The light indicates whether or not the charging system is sending power back to the battery. Like most charging system indicator lights, light on = no power going back into the system towards the battery, light out = power is being sent to the battery. You have not posted what you have for a charging system, so no one can tell you for certain how a light needs to be wired to work correctly, or if adding a diode is needed, without knowing what you have for a charging system.

 

[Btzj02]

Diodes?

My tractor required a diode in the wire between the idiot light and the alternator. I bought 50 diodes in a pack for pennies a piece. I can't say whether you will need one or not but I would be glad to send one if needed.